Testimonials

You’d better live, discover and feel it yourself

  You’d better live, discover and feel it yourself While my brothers were going to their big destinations for their exchange year, my nine-year-old self was thinking: “Wow! What ...

Getting to know the American culture

  Getting to know the American culture This is my third month in America and I can’t believe how fast it’s going. I am having wonderful time and I already have a lot of ...

AMERICAN HALLOWEEN

  AMERICAN HALLOWEEN As exchange students, we get to see and experience a lot of new things we had never before. Despite of the virus being in the air, Halloween, an American typical ...

My first days in America

  My first days in America My first days in America were full of fun. I spent a lot of time with my host family as we traveled together and they showed me some places in Tomball, Texas where ...

Definitely the best experience I could get as a teenager in 21st century

  Definitely the best experience I could get as a teenager in 21st century You have to be a little crazy, and say “yes” to everything I had the best year of my life here. I got the best host ...

USA is a place where dreams come true

  USA is a place where dreams come true My name is Ema and I am an exchange student from Slovakia. Currently I live in Oklahoma, Cashion with my host family, Cates. Normally people talk ...

It All Started with My Exchange in the USA

  It All Started With My Exchange in the USA Don’t say it won’t work until you have tried it! Here I am, living in Taipei, two and a half years after I finished my high school exchange in ...

I’m thankful for my life in Oklahoma

  I’m thankful for my life in Oklahoma My name is Katka and I am an exchange student from Slovakia, but I live in Oklahoma right now with my host family. At first I flew to LA where I met my ...

My goal was to have the best experience possible

  My goal was to have the best experience possible This week people asked me about my goals for 2020. I have never been a person that sets herself goals at the end of a year. I set myself ...

Today it is exactly 4 months since I came to the US, to Texas

  Today it is exactly 4 months since I came to the US, to Texas Almost every day something excited happens and I don’t even have time to talk about it with my friends and family in Slovakia. ...

I joined the volleyball team at my school and I love it

  I joined the volleyball team at my school and I love it “My name is Celia and I’m staying with the Ramsey’s at Harbor Beach, Michigan. I joined the volleyball team at my school and I love ...

An experience I won’t forget

  An experience I won’t forget “I’m having a great time in America and it’s an experience I won’t forget. I love my family. I have many good experiences here but my ...

They are teaching me a lot about American culture

  They are teaching me a lot about American culture When on August, 8 I arrived at the airport and I saw them with a giant poster and two balloons I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, ...

I got to know my family a little bit more

  I got to know my family a little bit more My family and I went to Lansing to see the hot air Ballons in my first week in the USA. It was so much fun and I also feel like it was kind of ...

Sometimes it’s hard to adjust to living here because it’s so different

  Sometimes it’s hard to adjust to living here because it’s so different My exchange life here is great, but sometimes it’s hard to adjust to living here because it’s so different. I’m doing ...

Everything was decorated about scary things

  Everything was decorated about scary things So last weekend I went to past tense with my host family. There was a haunted house, a corn maze and a hayride. Everything was decorated about ...

My best experience so far was Homecoming

  My best experience so far was Homecoming I am staying in Michigan with my host family. The host family here has a lot of siblings and two dogs. We have done many things so far. I went to ...

I have the best host family in the world

  I have the best host family in the world Hi, My name is Tereza and I am an exchange student from Slovakia. It has already been almost three months since I came to the USA. I have the best ...

My best decision

  My best decision Everything seemed different from the moment I decided to go on an exchange year. At first, it sounded weird to go to a different country where I would live with a family I ...

My favorite experiences

  My favorite experiences I’ve thinking about an exchange for a year. Actually my father said to me be an exchange student, because he wants me to grow up as a person, to be more ...

The moment when I found out I can do everything I want

  The moment when I found out I can do everything I want Hello, My name is Sara and I am from Slovakia. I was placed in Carl Junction in Missouri. I started running 2 months ago. Before I ...

I was interested about going to United States

  I was interested about going to United States I will be an exchange student for 10 months. I was interested about going to United States to study and I ask my parents … and all happened. ...

Everything is great here

  Everything is great here Hello, My name is Sara and I am from Slovakia. I was placed in Carl Junction in Missouri. It is a city that has about 7,500 inhabitants. I only have my host mom ...

My host family is the best

  My host family is the best It is about 2 weeks since I have come to the USA, to Texas. I’m not gonna lie- beginnings are not easy. (And airplanes are not created for sleeping). When ...

Yesterday was the first day of my exchange year

  Yesterday was the first day of my exchange year Hi, My name is Lea and yesterday was the first day of my exchange year. I flew all the way from Bratislava, Slovakia to Idaho Falls and then ...

The world opened its doors for me

  The world opened its doors for me (Student letter to the ICES Regional Director) Dear Donna, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me! It’s crazy but I ...

My American Experience

  My American Experience I will remember these ten months spent in America for the rest of my life. It is an amazing experience to have, going to a foreign country without anyone that you ...

My exchange was one of the greatest years of my life

  My exchange was one of the greatest years of my life My exchange experience has been unforgettable, and as it’s coming to a close it has made me realize exactly just how lucky and ...

High School Graduation Speech

  High School Graduation Speech by Alia, exchange student from Spain Here I was during my first month here in Molalla. I was so excited to finally call my grandma who I hadn’t talked to in ...

One of the best days of my life

  One of the best days of my life I have recently experienced one of the best days of my life. My day started at 4.40am with my alarm ringing. I got myself into show clothes which consists ...

It was my first time outside my home country…

  It was my first time outside my home country… … outside Brazil. I remember how scared I was during the flight to San Francisco. What is going to happen? Is my family going to be nice? What ...

New Friends – New Experiences – Wonderful Memories

  New Friends – New Experiences – Wonderful Memories This trip is the best trip that I’ve ever had. Bring me lots of new friends, new experiences and tons of wonderful memories. For the ...

An unforgettable art competition

  An unforgettable art competition I love art. And that means that when my coordinator told me that I can join one of the art competitions, I did not even think about it and I decided to ...

Italian exchange student and friends win ‘catapult’ competition at science fair

  Italian exchange student and friends win ‘catapult’ competition at science fair   Hi, my name is Gabriele and I’m an exchange student from Italy in Sisters, Oregon. Recently in my ...

Become an exchange student, it will definitely change your life!

Become an exchange student, it will definitely change your life!   My name is Samantha and I am from Quito, Ecuador. Currently, I am an Exchange Student in Traverse City Michigan. When I ...

My life has changed tremendously since I came to the United States

My life has changed tremendously since I came to the United States   I go to school in Palm Desert, a place that is called, “Hollywood’s Playground”. The school routine and ...

My best experience in my life

My best experience in my life   First day, I was so nervous. That was my first time to go overseas on my own. I felt certain distance between me and my host family. I woke up, and I felt ...

Through the eyes of an exchange student

Through the eyes of an exchange student Redmond Proficiency Academy Newsletter, February, 2019 by Mos Suttiwetchakul / Staff Writer and Exchange Student   Four months ago, I felt frightened ...

An exchange year is an unforgettable experience

An exchange year is an unforgettable experience   An exchange year is an unforgettable experience, for you and everyone around you. In August of 2018 it was time for me to leave my home in ...

One of the wonderful memories of this exchange program

One of the wonderful memories of this exchange program   Yesterday was my first time to see snow. I went to Santiam Snow Park with my host family. This place is very beautiful, full of snow, ...

I am having the best year of my life here

I am having the best year of my life here   Well, I think I haven’t stop since I got here. All of my days are always full of things with my family, my friends and things at school. My family ...

Living on Route 66

Living on Route 66   My name is Rike, I am 16 years old and from Germany but currently in the USA for 10 months. In December 2017, I decided to go abroad for 10 months to attend a public ...

My Football-Story

My Football-Story   When I went to the US I was really excited to play football, but it was not like I expected it. At Football we had to lift what I have never done before. It was pretty ...

My experience has been incredible

My experience has been incredible   I’m Mateo, I’ve been in LA for 5 months right now and my experience has been incredible. The high school I’m in is really big and I have a lot of friends, ...

I am very happy that I decided to spend this year abroad

I am very happy that I decided to spend this year abroad   Hey to everyone, My name is Michelle and I live in Springfield, Ohio with Phyllis and Raymond. I feel very comfortable with my host ...

Trip to New York City

TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY   Hi everyone! My name is Kristína, I am 18 years old and I’m from Slovakia. Right now I am doing my exchange program in San Antonio, Texas for one year. So far I ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

“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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

“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 ...

My Experience as an Exchange Student in the U.S.

My Experience as an Exchange Student in the U.S.   #1. Being an Exchange Student in America-the Most Precious Birthday Gift in my Life   In August 30th, 2013, I left my family in South ...

I have seen the rainbow and the path that leads to the brighter future of mine

I have seen the rainbow and the path that leads to the brighter future of mine   One of my current teachers once told me that the true nature of making decisions is to decide what you are ...

It has been already 4 months since I came here to the U.S.

It has been already 4 months since I came here to the U.S.   It seems like if it was just yesterday when I got off the plane on the 30th of July at the Kansas City airport and had met the ...

I love my American family

I love my American family   I’m Angelo and I just want to let you know that my exchange program is going very well. Talking about my host family I want to say that it’s perfect, we ...

I traveled 17 hours from Italy just to watch my idol Damian Lillard

I traveled 17 hours from Italy just to watch my idol Damian Lillard   Damian Lillard (basketball player) has always been an idol for me, I’ve been watching his games since I was a ...

I’m having an amazing experience

  I’m having an amazing experience   My name is Andrea, I’m 17 years old and I’m from Murcia, Spain. I know the photograph chosen doesn’t seem very interesting, ...

My integration into school was actually easier than I thought

My integration into school was actually easier than I thought   Hey I‘m Hannah and I‘m an exchange student from Germany. My integration into school was actually easier than I thought. On my ...

I am really grateful…

I am really grateful that my host family lets me be part of their family for one year   It has been exactly 140 days since I started this long journey at the airport in Berlin.  I started ...

It is unbelievable that its already been over 100 days…

  It is unbelievable that its already been over 100 days since I came to America   It seems like it was yesterday I was packed up in one suitcase and ready to leave my home, my family, ...

This place has changed into my second home

  This place has changed into my second home   My experience so far has been one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my life.  I got the opportunity to meet a lot of people and ...

Thank you everyone who make this opportunity possible …

  Thank you everyone who make this opportunity possible …   Hello! My name is Alba and I’m going to talk you about the start of my American adventure: I am right now living one of ...

Dream Will Come True as Long as I Don’t Quit

🇰🇷 Dream Will Come True as Long as I Don’t Quit!   Before I talk about my experience in the U.S., I’d like to touch upon my life in Korea. I wasn’t known for my academic ...

This experience is not only about learning a language…

This experience is not only about learning a language, it’s about growing as a person   All the things I have done have changed me. I’m not the person that left Italy almost ten ...

This was a good match

“this was a good match”   My host family went from being strangers to family in a really short time. I knew from the moment we were introduced, that this was a good match. And I mean, of ...

Words cannot describe how thankful I am for my host family

Words cannot describe how thankful I am for my host family   Not only they opened their door to me and accepted me in their beautiful home, they’ve also treated me like their own ...

About a year ago I made a big decision…

“About a year ago I made a big decision”   I decided to leave Slovakia and come to the United States for a new experience and to learn English.  The only thing I didn’t know was that I ...

From the Swedish archipelago to the Californian desert

From the Swedish archipelago to the Californian desert   Hi, my name is Hampus Lind, and I’m 17 years old, turning 18 in April. I’m from Sweden and right now I live in Ridgecrest, ...

“The experience of my life”

“The experience of my life”   Hi, my name is Queralt and I’m an exchange student from Barcelona, Spain. I’ve been in America for four months. This time has been amazing, with a lot of new ...

“I absolutely love my host family”

“I absolutely love my host family”   My name is Signe, I am from Denmark and I am spending an exchange year in Minnesota. I live here in Farmington with my host family, The Sanborn´s. My ...

This exchange year has probably been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but also definitely the most rewarding

This exchange year has probably been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but also definitely the most rewarding   Hi my name is Karoliina When I was 12 years old, I decided that I ...

It has been an amazing 5 months

It has been an amazing 5 months   I am now slowly coming to the end of my semester exchange in Texas, USA, and it has been an amazing 5 months! My first month in Texas was pretty full on. My ...

One thing that made my semester really special is my host family

One thing that made my semester really special is my host family   My name is Lea and I am from Germany from a city called Leverkusen. I am spending one semester abroad in America. I am ...

The most exciting time of my life

The most exciting time of my life   Hey, my name is Lea, I am from Germany and I am spending an exchange semester in Georgia, close to Atlanta. I live here with my host parents, my two host ...

Hi my name is Abbey

Hi my name is Abbey   I’m an Australian student that participated in the American exchange program. I recently embarked on a journey of a life time to America. I was very excited and also ...

“It will help change my life for ever”

“It will help change my life for ever”   “My name is Ermiyas, but everyone calls me “Eli”. I am 18 years, l and come from Ethiopia. I have two brothers and my Mom back home. I am ...

“It has been one of my best experiences in my life”

“It has been one of my best experiences in my life”   Hello, My name is Samuel and I am an exchange student with ICES in West Virginia. I have been in America for two months and it has been ...

My Experience

My Experience   I have been here for more than a month and a half and I can’t believe that one sixth of my experience has already gone. In these forty-seven days I have done such ...

One year in the United States…

One year in the United States is so much more than just learning about the American culture, experience the school spirit, and learning the language.   You’d think you come for one ...

“This was the key to my happiness”

I am an exchange student. I didn’t believe the power of being in an exchange program until now.   Everyone was telling me how amazing it is and how the exchange experiences have change ...

My Exchange Year

When I first arrived here in America and people would ask me “…so do you like America the most or Denmark?”   I knew that I definitely liked my home country Denmark the most. Whenever ...

This Portland and Seattle trip was amazing

To begin with … this Portland and Seattle trip was amazing thanks to all the coordinators who organized the trip for the exchange student and chaperons who instructed us all.   Before ...

“I will miss my wonderful host family”

My name is Eliska, but I like people to call me Eli.   I am from the Czech Republic, a tiny country in the heart of Europe. I came to the United States, to Texas in August. The first ...

…and this is what Victoria is writing about her time in Arkansas

The experience of the exchange program is different for each person.   For me, this experience from the beginning to the end was about love. Staying at the house of people you have never ...

Thanks Letter

Thanks letter from Yuzhi (Jack)   Time pasts like a shuttle crossing, days past like sand dropping from our hand. As those big events come and go; time is coming, for my flight back home. ...

My dream came true!

My dream came true!     “I planned to be an exchange student ever since I was a little girl. This exchange semester has been the most incredible experience ever. I am so grateful for my ...

My American experience…

Hey, my name is Rebeka and I am an exchange student, living in Brandon, Mississippi.   I am from a small town in Slovakia, where my whole family lives and where I have the best friends I ...

“Where in the world is Guillem?“

I remember the beginning of this experience as a normal day of school in my town of Sant Cugat, Barcelona.   I arrived home, to find my parents sitting in front the computer, this is not ...

When I was 12 I decided I wanted to travel the world, meeting people, knowing about a different culture, learning new languages…

My name is Luisa and I’m a foreign exchange student from Brazil. I live in Ontario, Wisconsin with the Finley family and go to Brookwood High School.   When I was 12 I decided I wanted ...

SEMESTER EXCHANGE STUDENT MARI ON SAYING GOODBYE:

SEMESTER EXCHANGE STUDENT MARI ON SAYING GOODBYE:   I came to the US to improve my English, but I ended up finding my lost family and some of my real good friends. I was so lucky for being ...

One year in the United States…

When I received my host family placement confirmation …

When I received my host family placement confirmation …   I was shocked!   I was going to live for 10 months in a little town of 1,243 inhabitants, in central Vermont, a state of which ...

Everything is better than I thought

Everything is better than I thought   On the 30th of January, I received an E-mail. The title was: Welcome to Texas Heidi This is the beginning of my U.S. journey … In my host family, there ...

My year here was way more than what expected and it was way better too

  My year here was way more than what expected and it was way better too   Benny was an ICES student last year and she shares what her exchange has meant to her:   My experience in ...