At 17, Lia Quinones is one of iE’s youngest recruiting local coordinators – but her earliest memory around student exchange was when she was just 13.
Her mom, Regional Director Michelle Bakke, saw an ad on Facebook about hosting and asked Lia and her siblings what they thought about welcoming an international student into their home.
“We just jumped right in,” Lia said.
Throughout their first hosting experience, Michelle and her family realized they loved learning firsthand about their student’s language and culture, building lasting relationships along the way. From that point on, they knew they were hooked – Michelle joined iE first as a local coordinator, and now as a Regional Director, helping students and host families as they navigate exchange life in the Southeast United States.
If Michelle’s passion was contagious, Lia definitely caught it – she jumped in as a student ambassador, and now as a recruiter who finds new host families and helps them choose the perfect student to join their family.“The people are my favorite part,” Lia said. “I think my favorite part is just getting to know the host families and seeing which student best fits them.”
She also loves getting to help international students live out their dream of living in another culture.
“I feel like if I had a dream, I would want somebody to help me too,” Lia said, “That’s my why.”
She and her family still keep in touch with all of their former exchange students, and even visited them in Spain one year.
“The kids who come here just want to connect, and it really ends up feeling like they’ve always been part of your life,” Lia said.
As a former host sibling, Lia knows just how many unknowns come with bringing in a new member of your family – especially as a parent with other kids in the house. Her advice to families who are on the fence about hosting is to start small.
“Let’s say you’re thinking about hosting a student who loves soccer, and you think they’d be great in your family, but you’re worried about how you’ll provide transportation for them the whole year with practices, games, etc,” Lia said. “The reality is, the student will meet friends who they can get rides from, and the people in your community will be more willing to help you out than you expect.”
Lia also pointed out that there is local coordinator and regional director support 24/7 should any issues arise – no family is expected to go through the student exchange journey alone.
Overall, prioritizing a strong connection with your student will be what helps them – and your family – thrive, Lia said.
She and her family are hosting their sixth student this year, Mateusz from Poland. Recently, Mateusz made a Polish meal for the family, including pork, potatoes, and a cucumber salad. When they sit down for dinner together each night, they go around the table and say the highlight and lowlight of their day, along with what they are most thankful for.
“If I could use one word to describe student exchange, it’d be ‘awesome,’” said Lia. “They become family, they become friends, and you just have this amazing lifelong relationship that you get out it.”
Lia’s advice to families thinking about hosting? “Just do it.”
“If you don’t, you might regret it later in life, but if you do, you and your family will reap the benefits,” Lia said.