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 laughed off our poor “first impression”, and things couldn’t be any better. My wife Mary was an exchange student her Junior year in high … Read More

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! Gyuri is my host sister and she is super sweet. She has gone from a shy girl to part of the family in such a short … Read More

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 and medical insurances. The effort was big but it drove me into this crazy year. The biggest emotion was when I just got off the … Read More

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 itself to host a student from Italy for the school year. With very little communication prior to Andrea arriving at our house, we became a host family for a 17 … Read More

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 so many delicious dishes. Everyone had a fantastic time talking, laughing and eating to Celebrate the Year of the Dog!       

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 Disney World Orlando FL together over winter break. The host family had a wonderful time getting to see everything through Paula’s magical experience since it was her first time … Read More

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 ICES 2018 “Hero of the Year Award” recipients – Judy Scott (National Placement Director) and Kari Owens (National Training Director). This is the first year that there have … Read More

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 rap, but he has an amazing ear and appreciation for all music. Emanuele writes, mixes, and sings his own music. While here in Colorado we looked … Read More

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 blog “The Gallivanting Gringa” at https://gallivantinggringa.blogspot.com. Read Elisa’s amazing story from Ecuador and inspire other U.S. teenagers to take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the world … … Read More