As our 2026-27 exchange students prepare to depart for the United States, who better to offer advice than students who have just completed the same experience? Our 2025-26 students are sharing the lessons they learned, memories they made, and tips they wish they had known before arriving. Whether you’re preparing to meet your host family … Continue reading
Sometimes the greatest gift of hosting is not what you give, but the person you gain. We hear from host dad Derek from Utah, who welcomed Ajia from Pakistan into his family during the 2025-26 school year with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State. As he reflects on their … Continue reading
When Kathleen and her family decided to host an exchange student, they weren’t sure if it was the “right” time, but they chose to take a chance. What started as welcoming a student from Italy into their Texas home became something much more. During the 2025-26 school year, Giulio formed a special bond with their … Continue reading
Tahia from Bangladesh spent the 2025-26 school year in Utah with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, where she found more than just a host family, she found a second home. In her sweet thank-you letter, Tahia shares how her experience began with stepping into the unknown and grew … Continue reading
Today we hear from host dad Marshall from Texas, who, along with his family, welcomed Suvd from Mongolia and Liza from Ukraine into their home during the 2025-26 school year with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State! Marshall adds, “This being my first year hosting exchange students, I didn’t … Continue reading
Cheers to Thank You Thursday! Today we’re sharing a thoughtful thank-you letter written by Haby from Mali, who is spending the 2025–26 school year in Utah with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Haby expresses her gratitude to her host family, International Coordinator, and the YES Program … Continue reading
What it’s really like to host an exchange student comes to life through three perspectives in this story! We first hear from Laura, a host mom from Nevada, her husband David, and their 2025-26 exchange student Terolin from India, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, as they reflect … Continue reading
With the school year coming to a close, we’re excited to feature Junis from Germany in this month’s student spotlight! During her 2025–26 exchange year in Washington State, she has fully embraced life in the US, from getting involved in school activities to building meaningful friendships and becoming part of her host family’s everyday life. … Continue reading
For this week’s Thank You Thursday, we are sharing a sweet letter written by Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan, who is spending her 2025-26 school year in Washington with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State! Kanykei reflects on the people and moments that made her exchange year feel like home. … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading