Hear it from our students / Life in the U.S.

100 Hours of Giving Back – Part Three

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In the final part of our series, we’re celebrating the last group of incredible exchange students who reached 100 hours of volunteer service. Their commitment, compassion, and connection to their host communities show just how much of a difference one student can make!

Anastasia from Georgia lending a hand and making a fluffy new friend while volunteering in Texas

I have become actively engaged in the local community, managing to get more than 200 hours of community service throughout my exchange year in the United States. Every single minute that I have spent helping other people, whether inside or outside of Gatesville, has taught me a lot about American society, its values, traditions, beliefs, and struggles. I have gained an inestimable experience and a greater understanding of a diverse world that we live in. All of these achievements improved my leadership skills as well as the ability to work in a big team.

– Anastasia from Georgia, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Milica (center) volunteering at Broomfield FISH, a local food bank in Colorado that helps support families in need.

Volunteering has definitely made me more grateful because I appreciate my exchange year more and more each time. The happiness I see in the eyes of the people I help through service and dedicating my free time is what I enjoy most about volunteering, while making a positive impact on my community. These experiences have also helped me learn to see volunteering as an opportunity to connect with others and make lasting bonds with new friends and supervisors.

– Milica from Serbia, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Left image: Artiom from Moldova sorting shoes for kids at a nonprofit in Texas
Right image: Artiom walking an adorable dog for Passport For Paws

Volunteering for a lot of hours sometimes might be tiring, but the appreciation and the respect you get after it, makes it all worth it. I met a lot of great, funny people with whom I established a good relationship. I enjoyed being the one that helps people and makes their day, or even their life better in a way or another. I enjoyed the feeling of not being remunerated in money, but in emotions. That’s what makes volunteering special.

– Artiom from Moldova, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Left image: Luka from Montenegro (left) with Aspect students at Zion National Park
Right image: Luka helping pick up litter and clean public spaces of Utah

What I love about volunteering is how I can spend time with my friends and family while doing something productive and helping those in need!

– Luka from Montenegro, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

A photo of Dilnora from Uzbekistan with a young child hangs proudly on the wall where she volunteered in Washington State

As an exchange student from Uzbekistan, I’ve picked up a ton of new things in the 8-9 months since I arrived. I started volunteering right away, and from the very first day I loved it. I’m still doing it. I work with 2-year-olds at church with my host family every weekend. Interacting with the kids and helping them during this early stage of development is so much fun.

I didn’t volunteer just to get hours. I did it because I love the feeling it gives me. I always get to meet welcoming people with warm smiles in the early morning, have coffee, and hang out with my friends. We exchange conversations by asking questions about ourselves and our cultures and we happily answer and learn new things from each other. I’m really grateful for all the experiences I’ve had.

– Dilnora from Uzbekistan, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Missed the earlier stories? Read Part 1 and Part 2 here!

Are you interested in making a student a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students!