Someday I’ll celebrate Mother’s Day Today is mother’s day! So blessed to know so many great ones and I hope they all had a great day! As a woman who’s battled infertility, I’ve spent my adult life thinking if I pray hard enough, hope long enough, wish upon enough stars, that someday I’ll celebrate mother’s day as a mother. And … Read More
Exchange Student Program Enriches Lives of Guests, Hosts and Those around Them
Exchange Student Program Enriches Lives of Guests, Hosts and Those around Them Juniata Sentinel, Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, May 6, 2020 by Paige Smith / writer I have always been fascinated by other cultures. Their traditions, their communities, their cuisine. I just never realized that I could learn all about these things firsthand without traveling the world. It turns out, I can, … Read More
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 family, or families as I should probably say, because my host family, the Gautney’s are really good friends with the … Read More
Coronavirus impact on exchange students
Coronavirus impact on exchange students WFMJ.com, Youngstown, Ohio, April 2020 Phone interview with Debbie VanWinkle, ICES field staff in Ohio Some students are thousands of miles at home while experiencing the pandemic. Some of our current students are still here in Ohio and elsewhere across the country with their host families helping out their local communities with outreach projects, such … Read More
Italian foreign exchange student finds strength during pandemic in San Antonio
Italian foreign exchange student finds strength during pandemic in San Antonio KENS5-TV, San Antonio, Texas, April 24, 2020 by Mat Gaskins / author Rebecca Padellini, originally from Florence, chose to remain in the US to finish her school year despite the challenges posed by coronavirus. Rebecca Padellini came to the US in August as a foreign exchange student. The 18 … Read More
Exchange students in central Indiana miss experiences due to virus restrictions
Exchange students in central Indiana miss experiences due to virus restrictions WISHTV.com, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 20, 2020 by Staff Reports The impact of coronavirus restrictions has been tough on students in Indiana, but it’s been especially tough on some of their classmates who are visiting America from other countries. Students with J-1 visas for cultural and educational exchange opportunities are … Read More
Michigan City exchange student gets to have her prom experience
Michigan City exchange student gets to have her prom experience The Michigan City News-Dispatch, Indiana, March 25, 2020 by Jim Peters, staff writer It’s a modern-day Cinderella story, and the only thing missing was the actual dance. Despite the COVID-19 virus and her country’s mandate to return to Spain, Michigan City High School exchange student Paula Fonz was able to … Read More
For international students away from home, coronavirus is ‘scary’ and ‘stressful’
For international students away from home, coronavirus is ‘scary’ and ‘stressful’ USA Today, Orgon, March 20, 2020 by Lindsay Schnell USA Today interviewed our French student about how she is feeling. This is part of a longer article: To stay in America, or go home? Coronavirus pandemic brings stress, fear for international students. It’s not just college kids who are … Read More
Sisters by heart forever
Sisters by heart forever My husband and I are empty nesters and have hosted several double placements but these girls are truly sisters. They have done everything together. They have taken this year and made it the best they can. They are in a tiny school where they know everyone personally. They played volleyball and basketball for the first time … Read More
ICES Exchange Students are popular at Kindergarten
ICES Exchange Students are popular at Kindergarten Lorenzo was able to come to my Kindergarten classroom during Read Across America Week. I chose a group of books that I thought my class would enjoy. Lorenzo looked them over and picked two. He then practiced reading them the week before he read to my class. He was interactive with the students … Read More