what makes exchange year so special

what makes exchange year so special   It has already been a month since I came back to Slovakia from my exchange year in Oregon.  The decision to spend one year in USA was the best one in my life.  Even though it wasn’t easy at the beginning when I didn’t know anyone, my English wasn’t that good and I … Read More

we knew right away…

we knew right away that it was something that we were being called to explore and do…   For anyone pondering if they should become a host family, I would suggest that you do it. It’s much more than proving room and board. It’s been an extension of our hearts, home and family. My husband and I had gotten to … Read More

Go Disney… for the 8th time

Go Disney… for the 8th time!   The ICES field staff in Mississippi and Alabama take their exchange students and chaperones to Disney in Florida every year. “It is a wonderful trip. Not just because of where we are, but it brings us all very close. After we leave the parks we often go swimming, play cards, watching movies … … Read More

Hosting exchange students has really become a part of our lives…

Hosting exchange students has really become a part of our lives…   …it is just who we are!! Each young person who has come and spent 10 to 12 months with us has definitely enriched our lives. Sharing cultures is such a beautiful thing to do. In my own opinion the problem in our world is that we do not … Read More

We were so blessed to have Cecilie as a student and soccer player

“We were so blessed to have Cecilie as a student and soccer player”   Cecilie from Denmark attend Terry High School in Rosenberg, Texas. Her soccer team showed up to say goodbye before she leaves to go back to Denmark. Her soccer coach says “We were so blessed to have Cecilie as a student and soccer player. We made many … Read More

I am so proud of my Italian son, Nicola!

I am so proud of my Italian son, Nicola!   He took the American Chemical Society’s Chemistry Olympiad first-year test and placed third among 14 schools in the Kanawha Valley Region!   In addition, his George Washington High School team, consisting of the top 4 students’ scores averaged together, placed FIRST in the region! What impresses me even more is … Read More

I am so happy and so lucky to get the family I got

I am so happy and so lucky to get the family I got   They gave me the experience I could’ve asked for and they have been so sweet and kind to me. I wouldn’t want another host family! Luna from Denmark Living with the Mancuso family in Missouri City, Texas   Learn more about becoming an ICES Exchange Student … Read More

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 months ago. I have become more mature. I’m glad I got to spend this year in Kansas and in the school of Goodland. Goodland High School … Read More

We have more in common than we think

“We have more in common than we think”   The Las Vegas trip was one of the best trips I ever had.   We visited Las Vegas strip, were we saw all kind of people with unique skills like eating glass or contorting their bodies. We saw amazing hotels, and incredible replicas of the best monuments in the world such … Read More

ICES Oregon students volunteer in Community Service Project

ICES Oregon students volunteer in Community Service Project   Congrats to our awesome Oregon Food Bank volunteers. Together you handled 23,311 pounds of donated food for families in need.   What an awesome way to make a difference in your adopted community. ICES is proud of your initiative!