Sometimes, hosting an exchange student becomes something far bigger than a single school year. Today, we hear from Sharon, a host mom and International Coordinator in Texas, as she reflects on welcoming her very first exchange student, Diego from Spain. What began as a nervous first step into hosting quickly turned into a lifelong bond, … Continue reading
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, … Continue reading
This festive season, we’re shining the spotlight on Jacobo from Spain! Spending his 2025–26 school year in Nebraska, he’s discovering new traditions and cherishing every moment. From the very first day, his host family made him feel like a true part of the family, turning every moment into a lasting memory! What motivated you to … Continue reading
This holiday season, we’re kicking off our first Thank You Thursday of the school year by sharing a letter written by Gulzhan from Kazakhstan with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State. Gulzhan, who is spending the 2025–26 school year in Texas, shares how grateful she is for her host family, who … Continue reading
Thank you to all of our students who submitted entries in our 2025 International Education Scavenger Hunt! It was a VERY close competition, but what matters most is the international education you all helped spread and the passion you shared for cultural youth exchange. Well done! Below are the winners who went above and beyond. … Continue reading
Thanksgiving is always a fun and meaningful time for our exchange students. They enjoy experiencing and learning about an American holiday, trying new traditions, and spending time with their host families, other students, and their International Coordinators. Many even shared a bit of their own culture by making dishes from home! Here’s a look at … Continue reading
International Coordinator and host mom Becky from Utah recently traveled to Brazil at the invitation of a former exchange student she supervised during the 2024-25 school year. In this blog post, she reflects on the laughter, surprises, and moments that reminded her why supervising students can create connections that last a lifetime. An amazing thing … Continue reading
For our first student spotlight of the 2025-26 school year, we’re excited to introduce Domingos from Mozambique! He’s spending the school year in Texas with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State! From the moment he arrived, Domingos has been excited to explore new customs, food, and ways of life. … Continue reading
Sometimes the perfect match comes when no one’s expecting it. Team Manager Sherri shared how Kim and Levin in Texas decided not to host this year, until she discovered Lucas from Brazil, a student whose dream was a perfect fit for their family. As Sherri tells us, “This is a story of love, a family … Continue reading
Halloween is always a special time for Aspect students, host families, and International Coordinators. From carving pumpkins and exploring corn mazes to trick-or-treating and braving haunted hayrides, our 2025–26 students got to experience one of America’s most beloved traditions. In this recap, we celebrate the joy that hosting exchange students brings and the memories that … Continue reading