Volunteering not only allows students to give back to their community, but it also provides them a chance to learn more about American culture, build friendships, and develop a sense of empathy and social responsibility. From cleaning school buses to helping non-profit thrift stores and sorting shoes for children in need, volunteering gives the opportunity …
Meet Julie, one of our amazing International Coordinators from Nebraska! She first got involved after answering an ad to supervise a student and has been dedicated ever since. Over the years, Julie has gained new perspectives, made countless memories, and grown her circle of friends while becoming a part of the Aspect family. Her passion …
Are you enjoying retirement? Consider hosting an Aspect student! Today we hear from Sheri and Frank, who opened their home to exchange students from all over the world and tell us how it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over the years, they’ve hosted 10 students and just welcomed two more this school year! If you’re …
By opening your home to an exchange student, you’re not just gaining a new family member – you’re welcoming a whole new world of experiences! Brazil is known for its warm and loving culture, unique customs, delicious cuisine, and so much more! You’ll have the opportunity to share your own traditions and learn about theirs, …
Hosting can be a great experience each and every time! We recently spoke with two wonderful host families from Utah to learn why they chose to host again. Host mom Danielle shared the experience of hosting Diego from Spain, highlighting the energy and joy he brought into their lives. Host mom Whitney talked about the …
Today, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from Heather, who shares the joy that she, her wife Beth, and their children have experienced in hosting an exchange student! After coming across the profile of Wencke from the Netherlands on the Aspect website, they were excited to make her part of their family for the …
It’s truly incredible how swiftly time has passed. It seems like just yesterday when our 2023/24 students first set foot in their American host families’ homes, filled with anticipation and excitement for the experiences that lay ahead. Now, as they find themselves more than halfway through their American adventure, we took the opportunity to ask …
As February kicks off, we’re thrilled to feature Constance from Ghana for our student spotlight! Constance is currently spending the 2023/24 school year in Utah, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State! Constance tells us how she competed for the opportunity to come to the United States and live …
For this week’s Thank You Thursday, we continue to share the heartfelt thank you notes from our 2023/24 Aspect students as they convey their appreciation to their American host families for welcoming them to their homes and hearts. Mandy from the Netherlands expresses her gratitude for her unforgettable year, while Patricia from Moldova, who is …
Meet Sherri from Texas, a remarkable host mom whose warm and welcoming nature has brought countless students from around the world into her family’s home. Not only has Sherri and her family hosted over 20 students, but she has also dedicated 15 years to serving as an Aspect Manager and International Coordinator! One of the …
Meet one of our International Coordinators, Brittani from Texas! After her family hosted their first exchange student during the previous 2022/23 school year, Brittani joined the Aspect team as an International Coordinator in early 2023. Since then, she has been doing an outstanding job supervising 16 students. In addition to her role as an International …
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
Shannon joined Aspect in 2015 and has made an incredible difference as a Team Manager, International Coordinator, and host mom. Shannon and her family have welcomed students into their home with kindness and care, creating memories they’ll cherish forever while offering steady guidance and support. Here’s what some of her students had to say about … Continue reading
International Education Contest 2025 From November 17th–21st, we’re celebrating the spirit of international education with a fun Scavenger Hunt Contest! Join in to spread the importance of global learning while winning some awesome prizes. International education opens doors to new cultures, ideas, and perspectives. In our interconnected world, those experiences help us learn, grow, and succeed … Continue reading
Every host family’s experience is unique, but one thing remains the same: hosting an exchange student brings unexpected joy and growth. From learning about new cultures to gaining an extra son or daughter, here’s what five Aspect families say they’ve gained. It was the best experience ever! We will have a fifth member of our … Continue reading
Round two! Following up on Part One, our 2024-25 students have more fun tips and ideas to help our 2025-26 exchange students explore, connect, and make their exchange year truly amazing. From trying new activities to saying yes to opportunities, these tips will help students make the most of every moment! Don’t hesitate to ask … Continue reading
Few moments compare to the excited, anxious, joyful feeling of when our exchange students step off the plane and meet the people they’ll begin to call family! Being welcomed by warm, heartfelt and even silly signs eases the tension and allows the first words and hugs to be exchanged. Even after hours of travel, those … Continue reading
Last chance to be a part of our Annual Photo and Video Contest! 📸 Submissions will close this Monday, September 29th at 11:59 pm. If you haven’t already, here is how you can submit a photo or video: woobox.com/unqsyt Good luck, and share with family and friends to gather the most votes! 🗳️ Are you interested … Continue reading
Now that our 2025-26 exchange students are settling in, it’s the perfect time to share advice from the 2024-25 students. Their tips are packed with fun ideas and helpful reminders to make your exchange year unforgettable. Stay tuned for Part Two! Don’t overthink small details. Make the friends you can and make the best of … Continue reading
As many of our exchange students begin settling into their communities, it’s the perfect time to hear from Mia, who spent her 2024–25 school year in Italy. She shares her top advice for students as they start this life-changing experience. You can read more about her journey here in My Time as an American Exchange … Continue reading
As we welcome our new exchange students for the 2025–26 school year, we also want to take a moment to look back and share one last sweet reflection from last year. Angelina from Germany spent her 2024-25 exchange year in Utah with her host family. Before heading home, she wrote this heartfelt thank-you letter to … Continue reading