Our advice to those thinking about hosting…

Our advice to those thinking about hosting… DO IT!   Being a host family has been one of the biggest blessings we have encountered. It’s much more than proving room and board. It’s been an extension of our hearts, home and family. We now have, a “daughter” Maria, in Brazil from our first hosting experience. Currently, a Chinese daughter Tiko, … Read More

Marc determined to come with an open mind…

Marc determined to come with an open mind…   Marc from Spain has spent the past year with the Demoville family in Columbus, MS, a somewhat rural area in North East Mississippi. He said Columbus was a very different area than what he is used to. In his city he can get on the bus and go anywhere. He has … Read More

The memories and excursions will last a lifetime…

The memories and excursions will last a lifetime until we meet up again and make more… I want to share the privilege of having been the host family for Tailyn (Tay). She came to us from Victoria, Australia. It was after a very hard experience that my husband and I found out that Tay had been added to the list … Read More

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 course there’s going to be times where we don’t get along very well, and have our disagreements, but what was important to … Read More

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 daughter, making me feel like part of the family. I couldn’t have asked for a better host family. Back in Italy I had only one sister, … Read More

We had 3 girls the same age living under one roof

“we had 3 girls the same age living under one roof”   When I was asked to write a short letter sharing our experience with hosting a foreign exchange student, I was honored. Our experience was possibly not like many, as we didn’t expect to have our Helle [from Norway].  She was a surprise for us, but what a blessing … Read More

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 would find a new life, friends and family here. The beginning of year was awesome.  My host family made plans for me … Read More

High school, American style

High school, American style Sierra Star, Oakhurst, California, May 10, 2017 by Morgan Voorhis   Three German teens, along with a student from Spain and Thailand spent their senior year in Oakhurst, attending Yosemite High. Thanks to their host families and new friends they made along the way, these students were exposed to a small slice of Americana. Yosemite High … Read More

Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market reusable bag design contest

Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market reusable bag design contest Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market, Atlanta, Georgia, April 17, 2017         Congratulations Ella!   ICES exchange student, Ella from Sweden, won $1,000 for her art work for the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market reusable bag design contest. Ella is living with her host family in the Atlanta metro area. READ FULL … Read More