ICES Newsletter
Posts & Articles 2018
Read the ICES Newsletter posts and articles 2018 to learn about previous activities and what ICES students and host families say about their exchange experiences!
Nadja adores her after-school activities and activities with her host family
Nadja adores her after-school activities and activities with her host family Nadja is very happy. She is doing well in her host family, she gets along well with her host parents and ...
My journey here has already been amazing
My journey here has already been amazing As I walked through the double doors, screams of the roaring crowd intensified. The red, black and white cheer uniforms reminded me of “High School ...
It was awesome to meet someone almost from home on the other side of the world
It was awesome to meet someone almost from home on the other side of the world This is Martin Šonka, the famous RedBull Air Racer from Czech Republic. I had an opportunity to meet him and ...
This was one of the best decisions we could’ve made for our family
This was one of the best decisions we could’ve made for our family My name is Heather Merriman and this year my family and I decided to invite an exchange student in to our home for the ...
The bonus for our school … to get a small glimpse of cultures from around the world
The bonus for our school … to get a small glimpse of cultures from around the world My name is Mindy, and I am the Registrar at North Bend High School. As such, I have had the privilege of ...
Being an exchange student
Being an exchange student Hi, my name is Laura. I am 17 Years old and I am spending my exchange year in West Virginia. I love going to school here and doing things with my friends. It took ...
Hosting an exchange student
Hosting an exchange student Hello, I’m Jamie from Michigan and this is our first year to host an exchange student. My family, Randy(dad), Veronica (19), Tylar(12), and Adrianna(4). ...
It gave me a second home
It gave me a second home In January of 2018, I left all my friends and family in Brazil to live in America for a year. It was going to be a big change but I couldn’t wait to try it because ...
It was an amazing trip
It was an amazing trip San Francisco 2018 – ICES Trip First of all, it was an amazing trip and everyone who didn’t go did a big mistake because it was absolutely perfect. We visited ...
They helped me a lot to feel like home
They helped me a lot to feel like home Hi everyone! My name is Daniela, I’m from Spain, right now I’m going to do 4 months here in Delhi, California and I’m having a ...
Rockin Around the Christmas Tree
“Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” Seven ICES exchange students from Brazil, Finland, Italy, Spain and Germany recently participated in the Weihnachts Parade in Boerne, TX. The theme was ...
Playing soccer in the high school team
Playing soccer in the high school team All the experience lived here was very cool and fun. I met many nice people and had a lot of fun, besides the great language learning and about life. ...
It’s an unforgettable experience
It’s an unforgettable experience One of the first days of my experience in the United States my family took me to the beach. It was a very fun day. We played with the sand and race ...
Louisiana family welcomes exchange student from Slovakia
Louisiana family welcomes exchange student from Slovakia KPLC, Lake Charles, Louisiana, November 11, 2018 by Shelby Trahan / author One student at South Beauregard High School is more than 5,000 ...
What a blessing Plai has been
What a blessing Plai has been I have to tell you what a blessing Plai has been. She is a truly honest and thoughtful girl. On Halloween she was getting ready to go trick or treating. I had ...
I had concerns that as empty nesters we’d be boring for Bill
I had concerns that as empty nesters we’d be boring for Bill Our initial plan was to serve as a welcome family, but once we had Bill as a guest in our home it didn’t feel right to bring it ...
So proud of this small school
So proud of this small school Hello there! Here is a recent photo from this week that made me so proud of this small school. The school surprised the exchange students over the weekend by ...
One of the best experiences in my whole life!
One of the best experiences in my whole life! We went to Cedar Point with ICES, our local coordinators and 13 other foreign exchange students. This was one of the best experiences in my ...
What greater joy is there than making a dream come true?
What greater joy is there than making a dream come true? I knew the very moment who I would choose to be my very first student to host when I read his story and heard him speak of his ...
He always greets his biggest fan
he always greets his biggest fan The last regular season soccer game for this Senior! What a rewarding experience. Like every game, he always greets his biggest fan, Miley, his host ...
Meet Celia, Sydney and Sera, the perfect match
Meet Celia, Sydney and Sera, the perfect match Celia is from Spain and is attending her classes at Reynoldsburg High School in Ohio. She arrived in Ohio on August 9th and has settled in ...
Two goal-scorers in tonight’s game!
Two goal-scorers in tonight’s game! Host father, Steve Berkwitz says, “Two goal-scorers in tonight’s game! Proud dad buying ice cream to celebrate a Wildcats’ ...
Matias Garcia: Owasso Area Spotlight
Matias Garcia: Owasso Area Spotlight VYPE Oklahoma, October 15, 2018 Most students don’t leave home for an extended period of time until they graduate high school. And even then, it may be ...
International feel: exchange students make impact
International feel: exchange students make impact Players from other countries bring their skills to the Thumb Huron Daily Tribune, Michigan, October 13, 2018 by Mike Gallagher / Tribune Sports ...
Getting involved in tennis really helped me
Getting involved in tennis really helped me Hello my name is Barbora. I am from Czech Republic and now I am studying at Shawnee High School in Springfield, Ohio. I am in US now for more ...
Being an ICES Global Ambassador was an eye opening experience
Being an ICES Global Ambassador was an eye opening experience Being an ICES Global Ambassador was an eye opening experience When I first started as the student ambassador of my school, I ...
White Water Rafting at Oregon Student Orientation
White Water Rafting at Oregon Student Orientation Over 100 international exchange students gathered on a crisp Fall morning for the annual student orientation in Eugene, Oregon on the ...
How U.S. High School Can Prepare International Students
How U.S. High School Can Prepare International Students U.S. News & World Report L.P., Ohio, September 18, 2018 by Anayat Durrani / Contributor While at a U.S. high school, ...
Every day is a new challenge
Every day is a new challenge and an unforgettable experience at the same time! It’s been almost a month since I came to the US for an exchange semester, although it doesn’t really seem ...
Exchange students find homes
Exchange students find homes The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 03, 2018 by Chloe Cameron / author Local coordinator had life changed after becoming host family ...
“now I get to call Alabama my home”
“now I get to call Alabama my home” My exchange year was an amazing journey… … and I want to say a huge THANKS to Aimee Vasko Lochrico and the whole family for ...
I am so grateful to our friends for opening their hearts and their homes to our family
I am so grateful to our friends for opening their hearts and their homes to our family (Testimonial from a host mom after she spent time in Norway and Germany visiting the natural parents of the ...
Thankful for exchange program
Thankful for exchange program Pine Journal, Duluth, Minnesota, June 20, 2018 by Julia Elias Vilanova / ICES exchange student I am writing a thank-you letter to thank everyone who made this ...
Should you host an exchange student? Yes! 100% Yes!
Should you host an exchange student? Yes! 100% Yes! (One of our Texas host mothers wanted to share her experience after taking her exchange student back to the airport.) Should you host an ...
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened” I can’t believe it’s almost time to go home after this whole year in America. Happy to be going home, but extremely sad to be ...
A relationship to last a lifetime
A relationship to last a lifetime “Having three young kids at the time, it was hard to imagine having room or energy for a long term guest. But my family and I decided to open up our ...
I’ve grown with every second that has passed
I’ve grown with every second that has passed Just a minute ago, I opened my suitcase, to pack up all of my stuff yet again. The feelings and thoughts running through my head in this very ...
These experiences shape who I am today
These experiences shape who I am today The most challenging task to me is the integration into a new culture after attending an American high school. As an international student, I have a ...
My Exchange Year, USA 17/18
My Exchange Year, USA 17/18 Who I am and how I became an exchange student? I am Fabian from Germany and on August 2nd, 2017 I left my home country to spend my entire year of 11th ...
I know that my exchange was better because of her
I know that my exchange was better because of her “She helped others, especially at the start of the year. I think every exchange student deserves someone their age who is so ...
Henning came from Germany with hopes to be on the track team
Henning came from Germany with hopes to be on the track team Henning came to small town Colorado after his host family’s past exchange student saw a post that Henning would like to be with ...
Long Beach exchange student falls in love with U.S.A
Long Beach exchange student falls in love with U.S.A Long Beach Breeze, Mississippi, May 21, 2018 by Fred Weller Ken and Gail Walker raised one family and became sponsors for a foreign ...
Miguel has been a pleasure from day one
Miguel has been a pleasure from day one Wow… Where do we start? Miguel was not our first Exchange student; he happened to be our 3rd student. From the very first glance at his paperwork ...
I came to America with the mindset of trying out new things…
I came to America with the mindset of trying out new things… … so when the spring came I decided to join Track & Field. I’ve always thought of it as a boring sport, but I ...
Having a Global Ambassador is really awesome
Having a Global Ambassador is really awesome “Having a Global Ambassador is really awesome. I can imagine that many students felt like me and think it is sometimes easier to talk to ...
It’s life-changing to have a second family in another part of the world!
It’s life-changing to have a second family in another part of the world! Being an exchange student is a unique opportunity to not only learn about the world and a new culture, but about ...
This was an unforgettable trip with my host parents to Florida
This was an unforgettable trip with my host parents to Florida I was really excited when I heard that my host parents are planning on going on winter vacation. First it was just to do a ...
Reds Baseball Game
Reds Baseball Game The first weekend of May, some other exchange student and I, Beke, went to Cincinnati for a weekend to watch a Reds Baseball Game. After we arrived in Cincinnati at ...
It’s been the hardest and also the best year of my life
It’s been the hardest and also the best year of my life I still can’t believe today was the last day of the best 🇺🇸 high school 💙. This year has been an emotional, ...
She truly affected my exchange year for the better
She truly affected my exchange year for the better “She started off being someone I could always rely on and someone who always had my back. As time went by, she turned out to be ...
Travels Around the World
Travels Around the World On Thursday, the First Graders of Burlington Elementary School had the amazing opportunity of traveling around the world through the experiences of three high ...
Having a sister
Having a sister With my American host family I gained something I thought I would never have – a sister. Back in my country it was only me and my younger brother and I’ve always wanted to ...
She was always there for us…
She was always there for us… “She was always there for us, she was an amazing helper, and I knew I could trust her with everything. It was really nice to have her by our side ...
Our Exchange Experience
Our Exchange Experience We decided to bring our first foreign exchange student into our home in March of 2017. Initially there was some hesitation with the idea. After meeting with the ...
What do the Vegas Golden Knights and my Exchange Students have in common?
What do the Vegas Golden Knights and my Exchange Students have in common? Everything! What a year to come to Vegas as an Exchange Student! We have a new hockey team, the Vegas ...
I have the best host family anyone could ever imagine
I have the best host family anyone could ever imagine Exactly 6 months ago, I came to the US to start my exchange year. I was so excited that I thought I wouldn’t be homesick or miss anything at ...
Aloha from Hawaii!
Aloha from Hawaii! A few weeks ago, I, Annika, packed my suitcase and flew from Las Vegas to Honolulu, Hawaii. I flew alone, but as soon as I arrived, I made new friends with all the other ...
This is an opportunity to live your best life
This is an opportunity to live your best life When people asked me before embarking on this incredible journey, if I was scared, the first fear I mentioned was not fitting into my host ...
Silva experiences Akron life
Silva experiences Akron life The Sentinel, Rochester, Indiana, April 11, 2018 Dateline: Akron by Leah Sanders / Staff Writer Samara Silva had a long way to travel to Tippecanoe Valley High ...
I have learned so much about myself
I have learned so much about myself When I left home, I had to leave my comfort zone. Say goodbye to my everyday life in Denmark and start a completely new life for 10 months. Saying I was ...
My dreams truly came true
My dreams truly came true My exchange year is the best experience of my life till now. There are many memories what I have made during my exchange year in the States, but the best were ...
Hosting Federico this year has been a great experience for our entire family and community!
Hosting Federico this year has been a great experience for our entire family and community! We are Italian, so having a student from Italy has been so much fun. We have had opportunities ...
6 ICES students are taking part in an international art project
6 ICES students are taking part in an international art project The Hokkaido Pottery Society invited the Oregon Potters Association to join them in a collaborative art project involving ...
My exchange so far in Argentina
My exchange so far in Argentina My journey started on February 9th when I left Oregon for Argentina. I had never been out of the country before, so I was very excited, and a little nervous. My ...
We have a relationship for life
We have a relationship for life The time is running so fast. I can’t believe that my American adventure is already half way over. When I decided to do exchange I was excited but also ...
I’m literally living a dream
I’m literally living a dream Hi, my name is Samara and I’m a 17 years old girl from Brazil. My experience in America has been amazing! I’m literally living a dream. Everyone knows that is ...
Mardi Gras in Louisiana
Mardi Gras in Louisiana During the month of February we celebrated Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Mardi Gras is a day of feasting and fun that precedes the 40 days of fasting before Easter. Some ...
Ellina you have made us better people by sharing your life with us
“Ellina you have made us better people by sharing your life with us” Dear Ellina, Wow! It has been a year since you came to me on that cold, snowy night in January, 2017. ...
Unbelievable Experience in Minnesota!
Unbelievable Experience in Minnesota! Could you tell how lucky I am? – Minnesota, not a really known state around the world. Cold, cloudy, snowy… but there it was, The Super Bowl ...
We’re in the middle of something most people could only dream about
We’re in the middle of something most people could only dream about It very clear to me that we’re all just searching for something “perfect”. Sadly, the pursuit of happiness, makes us ...
Natasha has been all smiles
Natasha has been all smiles Sadly, I failed being on time at the airport to meet and greet our newest family member, but from that first moment on, Natasha has been all smiles. She just ...
Hosting Paloma from Spain was one of the best decisions our family has ever made!
Hosting Paloma from Spain was one of the best decisions our family has ever made! One day as I was scrolling through Facebook I had seen an article about the need of host families by ICES. ...
It’s amazing and such a sweet experience
It’s amazing and such a sweet experience! My name is Renata and my family looked into the student exchange program for the first time this year, it’s amazing and such a sweet experience! ...
Studying abroad for a year changes you in multiple ways
Studying abroad for a year changes you in multiple ways My experience started long time ago, with the idea of studying abroad. From there my mom and I began a huge process of applications ...
Seeing our world through his eyes
Seeing our world through his eyes We have hosted several short term exchange students with varying success. As the 2017-8 school year approached this past August, an opportunity presented ...
Celebrating the Year of the Dog
Celebrating the Year of the Dog Students and host families had a wonderful time together celebrating the Asian New Year in Ohio. Students from all over the world enjoyed getting to share ...
Paula’s magical experience
Paula’s magical experience Exchange student Paula of Spain is living her exchange year with the Cucinotta family in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Paula and her host family spend the holiday in ...
ICES Awards 2018
ICES Awards 2018 The ICES 2018 Awards were announced at the National Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Hero of the Year Award” We offer hearty congratulations to the ...
Italian exchange student Emanuele is working on his first music album
Italian exchange student Emanuele is working on his first music album Emanuele is a high school exchange student from Italy. He is very talented and has an ear for music. His preference is ...
The Gallivanting Gringa
The Gallivanting Gringa ICES outbound exchange student Elisa from Oregon decided to have her exchange experience in Ecuador, South America. And she is documenting the exchange year on her own web ...
Meet Hanna Doyle of International Cultural Exchange Services in Houston Metropolitan Area
Meet Hanna Doyle of International Cultural Exchange Services in Houston Metropolitan Area VoyageHouston, Houston, Texas, February 14, 2018 Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanna Doyle. ...
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” Exchange student Cristina from Spain had the opportunity to participate in a very intriguing aspect of the American culture. ...
My experience has made me realize how important family is
My experience has made me realize how important family is Hi, my name is Capucine. I moved to America 7 months ago to live a new experience and to discover a new culture and language. My ...
I’ll always cherish my experience
I’ll always cherish my experience I’m Luís, 16 years old, from Brazil. I was an exchange student for a semester in southwestern Wisconsin, where the Burbach’s welcomed me in their family. ...
That year as an exchange student was critical and consisted of many personal milestones
That year as an exchange student was critical and consisted of many personal milestones I became an exchange student to the U.S from South Korea in 2005 when I was 16 years old in ...
Volunteer for Meals on Wheels was a really cool experience
Volunteer for Meals on Wheels was a really cool experience Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. ...
People here are awesome
People here are awesome I experienced how great the people are in the US. So far I had so much fun with family and I friends, which I made the last months. I love the focus on sports at my ...
“We’re keeping him, right?”
“We’re keeping him, right?” Our family has hosted twelve students over the past 10 years, plus other short stays. It’s been very positive for our family and we feel ...
Maja has been a blessing from the beginning
Maja has been a blessing from the beginning Hello, My name is Candice Pias. This is a note about our family’s experience with hosting an exchange student over the last year. My ...
From Italy, Di Giovanni enjoys playing sports in America
From Italy, Di Giovanni enjoys playing sports in America The Eclipse, Kearlsley, Michigan, January 30, 2018 by Hannah Hendley / Photo Editor Ricardo Di Giovanni is a 17-year-old senior who ...
4th year hosting and it just gets better each time
4th year hosting and it just gets better each time This our 4th year hosting and it just gets better each time. We have loved our time with Breanna, and know that we have made a lifelong ...
One of the greatest experiences of my life
One of the greatest experiences of my life So this is Christmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun… (John Lennon) Christmas is over, however for me it ...
Exchange student adapts to American culture in Senatobia
– Southern Comfort – Exchange student adapts to American culture in Senatobia Tate Talk, Mississippi, January 23, 2018 by Brett Brown / Reporter Damian Jimenez has only lived ...
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” What better way to connect with other exchange students in your area and learn more about America than taking a ...
“You can call it an ADVENTURE!”
“You can call it an ADVENTURE!” After I decided to do this program, it would mean that I would leave my parents and sister, by air across the world, for 12 hours and live in ...
I wish I could stop the time
I wish I could stop the time I can’t believe that it is a half way over. I wish I could stop the time. It is terrifying and exciting at the same time that there are only 5 more months. I’m ...
Brazilian exchange student hopes to develop independence
Brazilian exchange student hopes to develop independence The Eclipse, Kearlsley, Michigan, January 8, 2018 by Jenna Robinson / Managing Editor Brazilian foreign exchange student Carlos Macedo ...
For a smaller world
For a smaller world The Livingston Parish News, Louisiana, August 18, 2013 by Jamie Webb / writer “It is a really great experience, not only for the family who’s doing it, but for the people ...