Life in the U.S.

Celebrating the Holidays with Our Exchange Students

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The holiday season brings a special kind of magic for our 2025-26 exchange students! Our fantastic International Coordinators share just how much the students are enjoying the season across the U.S. From decorating gingerbread houses to sharing favorite dishes from home, students are celebrating familiar holidays in new ways while adding their own cultural touches, making the season even brighter!

Communit Manager Emily’s students having fun making gingerbread houses and meeting Santa in Utah

We had an exchange student Christmas party with gingerbread houses, Santa, and Christmas lights. Such a fun group! Marc, my French student, made an Aspect Foundation gingerbread house. It was so cute!

– Community Manager Emily from Utah

From left to right: International Coordinator Nicole smiling with Marina from Brazil, Helena from Spain, and Mariana from Brazil in Michigan

Our little Detroit group at the holiday gathering! We enjoyed the Christmas tree and celebrated the season together, lighting candles for Hanukkah.

– International Coordinator Nicole from Michigan

International Coordinator Laura’s students (including Pietro from Brazil, Hanna from Norway, and Terolin from India) making cute gingerbread houses and dishes from their home countries in Nevada

These students had a great time at their Christmas activity, making gingerbread houses and ornaments. They also each prepared a dish from their home country to share.

– International Coordinator Laura from Nevada

Community Manager Kristine’s group of students making memories and celebrating the holidays together in Washington State

We had a super fun Christmas Party for my group of exchange students. It’s fun to see them warming up more to each other and becoming closer!

– Community Manager Kristine from Washington State

Community Manager Becky’s students at Hale Centre Theatre for a magical holiday performance of “A Christmas Carol” in Utah

We enjoyed a cultural Aspect Foundation party at Hale Center Theater (HCT). HCT was incredibly generous and gifted each of our students a free ticket to see their professional production of “A Christmas Carol.” I loved spending the evening with these students!

– Community Manager Becky from Utah

International Coordinator Julie’s students (including Misato from Japan, Aruzhan from Kazakhstan, Anastasija from Montenegro, and Noa from Spain) enjoy a fun-filled day celebrating the holidays in Nebraska

I had a fun time celebrating the holiday season with these exchange students. We went ice skating, visited the mall to buy presents for the gift exchange, built gingerbread houses, ate pizza, and played games. Such wonderful young ladies!

– International Coordinator Julie from Nebraska

Are you interested in making a difference in a student’s life? Apply to become an International Coordinator with Aspect Foundation. Check out more details here: https://aspectfoundation.org/become-a-superhero/