ICES Newsletter
Posts & Articles 2019
Read the ICES Newsletter posts and articles 2019 to learn about previous activities and what ICES students and host families say about their exchange experiences!
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. ...
Foreign exchange students help at homeless shelter
Foreign exchange students help at homeless shelter News Tribune, La Salle, Illinois, December 7, 2019 by Goldie Rapp, author From high school with love A group of five area foreign exchange ...
Exploring a new country
Exploring a new country Estacada News, Oregon, Tuesday December 03, 2019 by Emily Lindstrand, author Three Spanish exchange students are spending school year at Estacada High School through ICES ...
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 ...
We finally made the choice to be a host family
We finally made the choice to be a host family Our experience with the International exchange program has been absolutely wonderful! We are so glad that we finally made the choice to be a host ...
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, ...
Mumford exchange students find fun, friendships
Mumford exchange students find fun, friendships DetroitDialogue.com, November 7, 2019 by Raechel Davis & Daija Thomas Mustang Voice America is not quite what German exchange student Til ...
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 ...
Leo’s road to semi-state part of worldwide journey
Leo’s road to semi-state part of worldwide journey Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 25, 2019 What has become a season of firsts for the the Leo High School boys soccer team has ...
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 ...
Shawnee exchange student a net success in girls tennis
Shawnee exchange student a net success in girls tennis Springfield News-Sun, Ohio, October 09, 2019 by Greg Billing / Contributing Writer When she steps onto the court at the Lindner Family ...
Jaime, Spanish exchange student in Oregon, is making headlines
Jaime, Spanish exchange student in Oregon, is making headlines Siuslaw improves to 6-0, beats Junction City Exploding Whale Sports, Oregon, October 8, 2019 The Siuslaw Vikings soccer team ...
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 ...
Student Orientation in Oregon
Student Orientation in Oregon Our student orientation was held in Central Oregon area on September 14-15th. The first day we had a Smokejumpers Tour, the student orientation and a wonderful BBQ ...
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. ...
Exchange student making immediate impact on Molalla volleyball program
Exchange student making immediate impact on Molalla volleyball program Molalla Pioneer, Oregon, September 23, 2019 by Derek Wiley / author In her first high school start, Romero, from ...
Excited to be coming back to the United States for college
Excited to be coming back to the United States for college Sherlock and Eddy had a great year in Chico and made lots of friends. They are both avid soccer players and found a group to ...
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 ...
You’ll have a new member of your family who will forever be a part of you
You’ll have a new member of your family who will forever be a part of you “Last year at this time, we were about a week into being a host family for the very first time. It was not at ...
My experience has been amazing
My experience has been amazing “I’m Gadea, a Spanish girl that is staying a month in a great family in Boca Ratón, Florida. My experience has been amazing and I’m having ...
Quinn hopes to grow international exchange program
Quinn hopes to grow international exchange program Owensboro Times, Owensboro, Kentucky, August 12, 2019 by Laura Murphy / author In her third year serving as the Field Manager of Kentucky ...
American High School Experience
American High School Experience A lot of people wonder what is it like to live in the US but few have the opportunity to actually experience it. In my case, it did never cross my mind I’d ...
We asked our academic program students three questions
We asked our academic program students three questions, and this is what Lago from Spain answered: Q 1. What is one challenge you have had to overcome during your exchange experience? Have ...
Being an exchange student will open your mind…
Being an exchange student will open your mind… Hi, my name is Esther. I come from Vietnam. I am a senior in Wesleyan Christian School (WCS), Oklahoma. One of the subjects that I have to ...
Letter from natural parents in Brazil
Letter from natural parents in Brazil It’s that time of the year- time to say ‘see you later’! We love this letter written from a Brazilian mother, Elisete Fogaça, to her son’s host family Larry ...
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 ...
I highly recommend anyone thinking about hosting to DO IT!
I highly recommend anyone thinking about hosting to DO IT! WOW!!! This has been one of the Best experiences our family could have had with Aileen this past year! I learned a lot about myself and ...
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 ...
Open the world up to students
Open the world up to students I have always been the type of school administrator that believes in providing my students every opportunity to explore the world. When you open the world up ...
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 ...
We knew hosting would be different
We knew hosting would be different “I was supposed to have 5-6 more years before I sent a child off to prom. But sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you take a chance on something that ...
Historic Victories Push Comet Water Polo to #1 Spot in State Rankings!
Historic Victories Push Comet Water Polo to #1 Spot in State Rankings! grandledgecomets.org Grand Ledge High School, Michigan, April 2019 For the first time in program history the Grand ...
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 ...
Ashley’s volunteer time at Bayside Terrace
Ashley’s volunteer time at Bayside Terrace Today we had the opportunity to learn about Belgium from an amazing exchange student with the International Cultural Exchange Services program ...
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 ...
ICES Exchange Students participate in the CSIET 17th Annual Art Cover Design Contest
ICES Exchange Students participate in the CSIET 17th Annual Art Cover Design Contest “I had this opportunity to come and meet the other side of the world, meet a lot of people and live ...
Cherith and Todd opened up their hearts and home to Adelka
Cherith and Todd opened up their hearts and home to Adelka Let me introduce myself. I´m Martina, the mother of Adelka, a student from Slovakia. She was placed with a host family of Cherith ...
American Adventures with Ludo
American Adventures with Ludo I never thought about being a host parent and then one night a Facebook post looking for local host families caught my eye, and on an impulse I replied. In ...
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 ...
Educator promotes international student exchange in Owensboro
Educator promotes international student exchange in Owensboro Owensboro Times, Owensboro, Kentucky, March 12, 2019by Jessica Jones / author Encouraging students to explore other cultures ...
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 ...
Exchange student making impact at Idalia
Exchange student making impact at Idalia Colorado Preps Magazine, Fort Morgan, Colorado, January 2019 by Brock Laue / author When Bru Carreras was roaming the halls for the first time at ...
Exchange Students Giving Back
Exchange Students Giving Back Every January for the last 10 years, Fort Wayne area exchange students have been involved with a national conservation group, The National Wild Turkey ...
Hosting Alice is the best decision we’ve ever made
Hosting Alice is the best decision we’ve ever made This being our first year hosting, we really didn’t know what to expect. Before Alice arrived we were so nervous and excited. ...
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 ...
Rivera-Carrera makes new friends as foreign exchange student
Rivera-Carrera makes new friends as foreign exchange student The Eclipsy, Flint, Michigan, February 15, 2019 by Matt Ostrander / Reporter Francisco Rivera-Carrera, senior, is a foreign ...
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 ...
I am so happy that I have these two wonderful girls in my life
I am so happy that I have these two wonderful girls in my life When I agreed to take an exchange student last summer, I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. However, it was ...
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 ...
I never thought this experience would impact us as much as it has
I never thought this experience would impact us as much as it has (Testimonial posted on Facebook by the Marsh family in Michigan, 2 days before their exchange student was going back to Italy) ...
Having a foreign exchange student, and being a host sister changed my life
Having a foreign exchange student, and being a host sister changed my life Hello. My name is Ariana. I live in Tampa, Florida and I’m seventeen years old. I’m an American ...
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, ...
Our experience with this program has been very good
Our experience with this program has been very good Our student is fully fluent in English, German and also speaks French. She spends time sharing her knowledge about her country with us ...
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, ...
Your Character Matters
Your Character Matters Central Valley Today, California, January 15, 2019 by Stefanie Bainum / author Your Character Matters: Tulare Union High School’s Joanna Marucci TULARE, ...
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 ...
Hosting Maria has been an amazing experience for my family
Hosting Maria has been an amazing experience for my family Tomorrow we take Maria to the airport and send her home to Brazil. 😢 Hosting Maria has been an amazing experience for my ...
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 ...
Making Memories in a New Country
Making Memories in a New Country Estacada News, Oregon, January 02, 2019 by Emily Lindstrand / author This year through the ICES International Student Exchange program, Estacada High ...