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

20 Years Later, A Look Back at My Exchange Year

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Nicklas from Denmark spent his exchange year in 2002–03 in the United States, where he became part of a warm community that stayed with him long after he returned home! In 2023, he returned for his 20-year high school reunion, joyfully reconnecting with the people and place that made his exchange experience so special. As Nicklas shares, “I still carry a strong sense of connection and warmth from my time in Algoma, Wisconsin.”

Nicklas from Denmark with his high school cross country teammates in Algoma, Wisconsin during his 2002–2003 exchange year


What was your 2002–03 exchange year like?

My exchange year was an incredible experience where I got to be part of Midwestern small-town life and a truly warm and welcoming community. My favorite memories are the friendships I built during that time. More than 20 years later, those friendships are still strong, which means the world to me.

Tell us about your return visit for your 20-year high school reunion!

I was there for two weeks in July 2023, staying with my old classmate Kurt, his wife Emily, and their three lovely kids. We had a great time with many former classmates returning home for the reunion. We spent time by Lake Michigan with games, food, and drinks, and it was a lot of fun catching up with everyone. It truly felt like an awesome walk down memory lane.

Nicklas from Denmark (left) walks through the halls of his former high school with his friend Kurt (right) during his return visit to Wisconsin

How did it feel to reconnect with everyone after so many years?

It felt like I had just left! Time flies, but true friendships never fade. Some people had changed a lot, while others looked almost exactly the same. I left with long hair and returned as a bald man, which was a funny full-circle moment. A couple of days after the reunion, I went back to the high school and walked the hallways with Kurt. That was a really special experience, full of nostalgia.

Nicklas from Denmark reunites with former classmates and friends during his 2003 high school reunion in Wisconsin

Looking back, what does your exchange experience mean to you today?

It taught me early in life that there are good people everywhere. You can have fun and create special moments no matter where you are or where you go. Before my exchange, I thought of the U.S. as New York or Los Angeles. I had never even heard of Wisconsin as a teenager. Today, Wisconsin holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to bring my own kids there and show them what it means to me.

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 2026-27 school year. Check out the profiles of our wonderful students. New student profiles go online every Thursday!