iE-USA student & Host family Blog
Experiencing the world with iE!
What’s it REALLY like to be an exchange student?
What’s it really like to be an exchange student in the U.S.? Hosting an exchange student is a rewarding experience for everyone involved. But have you ever wondered what it looks like from a student’s perspective? We asked some of our current exchange students — Daria...
5 simple ways to share your love of hosting!
February is the month of love. Whether it’s through a quick smile at a stranger, a cup of tea shared with a loved one, or shoveling the snow from a neighbor’s driveway, we’re reminded to share a little extra warmth and kindness to those around us at this time of...
“Hosting Mara” – Two Generations of Host Families
When Vicki Magnant was a child, her family hosted Julia, an exchange student from Germany. Years later, Vicki’s family is hosting Julia’s daughter, Mara. Vicki was six or seven years old when her family first opened their home to host German exchange students....
“Both of your lives can change for the better”: Hosting in a Single-Parent Home
Like many host families in the digital age, Christine Saladino found out about International Experience through a Facebook group. “Yes, really,” said Saladino. After some time in prayer and consideration, Saladino said, she felt it was the right decision to host. In...
3 Simple (but Meaningful) Ways to Support Your iE Fam this Holiday Season
Just a few of the BEST gifts you can give the host family or international student in your life.
Make This Easy, DIY Thankful Tree!
At its core, Thanksgiving is all about reflecting on what we're thankful for. Thank-fully, gratitude is a universal language, and this is the perfect season to share your own winter holiday traditions. One creative and thoughtful way to recognize Thanksgiving is to...
5 Ways to Embrace the Season with your Exchange Student
The days between September and November look a little different in every region of the U.S. Further north, you'll see vibrant fall colors as temperatures drop and the leaves change color. Down south, the weather goes from hot to bearable, and the days get shorter. It...
10 Tips for New Exchange Students: Advice from iE Alumni
Embarking on an exchange year is incredibly exciting. But those first few weeks of transitioning to a new culture, new language, and new home can be daunting for even the most adventurous students. It's always helpful to get some advice from someone who's been in your...
Two Families, One Mission: You Have What It Takes to Host!
Sometimes it just takes one small nudge to make a life-changing decision. For Jennifer and Jessica Wolfe, it was a Facebook post from International Experience (IE) that got the ball rolling. “I saw an advertisement, and then I forwarded it over to Jess and said, ‘Hey,...
Pauline from Germany for Treasurer!
For Pauline, 18, from Germany, getting to experience the inner workings of local government was the cherry on top of a successful exchange year in the U.S. Each year, Pauline's host community in northeast Ohio selects a high school student to be "Treasurer for the...
10 Ways to Share Your America
How do you share your America? For many families in the U.S., the Fourth of July is a time to come together and celebrate with fireworks, sparklers, and red-white-and-blue treats. But it doesn't have to be summertime to celebrate what makes your corner of the country...
Why YOU Should Host (According to Real Host Moms!)
Mother's Day may have come and gone, but we're always grateful for the amazing host moms and mother figures that make our work possible. By taking the leap and inviting an international exchange student into their families, each host mom will . . . Enrich the lives of...
2023-24 iE-USA Student Recognition Awards
The iE-USA Student Recognition Awards recognize students for their outstanding achievements in Academics, Athletics, Community, Volunteering, and as iE Ambassadors. Students currently on exchange in the U.S. were nominated by their host families, Local Coordinators,...
Ending the Year Well
It can be tempting to avoid thinking about the hard goodbyes that the next few weeks will bring. Not to mention that between tests, ceremonies, get-togethers, and more, the end of the school year is a busy time!
Still, it’s worth taking the time to think about how you want to end your exchange experience. Whether you’re a host parent, international student, or local coordinator — How can you end your year on the best note possible?
Your Ticket to the Best Summer Ever
Our Summer Immersion Programs in Germany and Spain are the ideal way for 14-18 year-old U.S. teens to experience life in another culture. As part of the program, you’ll spend three weeks living with a host family and experiencing all that these different European cultures have to offer, from nature to historic sites and museums to food. Read on to find out more about the program and how you could apply to go on the adventure of a lifetime.
2022-23 iE-USA Student Recognition Awards
The iE-USA Student Recognition Awards recognize students for their outstanding achievements in Academics, Athletics, Community, Volunteering and as iE Ambassadors. Students currently on exchange in the U.S. were nominated by their host families, Local Coordinators, or...
Like True Siblings
The Brown family from Michigan consists of single mom Katrina, her two teenage sons Brennan and Gibson, Goldendoodle Mazie, and, over the years, four international students from Germany and Spain. Katrina Brown has been hosting with International Experience since...
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with iE’s Summer Immersion Programs
Have you always wanted to become a foreign exchange student- but never knew quite how to do it? Keep reading to learn more about traveling abroad with iE's Summer Immersion Programs! To learn more about iE's Summer Immersion Programs, check out our website! What are...
5 Surprising Benefits of Hosting an Exchange Student!
There are many reasons for hosting an international exchange student! Check out this article to take a look at some surprising benefits that come along with hosting.
10 Reasons to Host an Exchange Student
Updated May 2022 Why host an exchange student? Our tight-knit band of cultural adventurers agree - when they opened their homes to host, they GAINED so much more than they gave. Are you ready for a life-changing adventure, right in your own living room? Consider these...
Top 7 Reasons to Host a German Exchange Student!
Immerse yourself in German culture by hosting an exchange student from Germany! Learn new foods, language, and more!