The latest and greatest on issues of cultural exchange
May 9, 2025
International exchange has been a big part of our family’s life for more than 20 years; we have hosted a couple dozen high school students from a variety of countries. For most of that time, my husband and I have been local coordinators for EF High School Exchange Year, working with local families and students
December 25, 2024
Today is Christmas, and tonight is Hanukkah – a meeting that occurs so rarely most of us won’t remember the last time it happened. In our home, we will celebrate Christmas with a special dinner and Hanukkah with the lighting of the menorah. The exchange students we are responsible for this year are celebrating in
August 23, 2024
When exchange students first arrive, they are often just so excited — they’ve been looking forward to this experience for such a long time, and now they’re here! They think everything will fall into place quickly: school will start, it will be easy to talk to people, everyone will be interested in them because they’re
July 1, 2024
Dear Future Exchange Student, Welcome to what promises to be one of the most extraordinary experiences of your life: your high school exchange year in the United States. As you embark on this journey, you are about to step into a world of new opportunities, challenges, and adventures. You may be wondering what makes this year so
February 6, 2024
Something we coordinators talk about with students all the time is: what are your expectations for your life in your host country? High school exchange students arriving in the United States usually have an idea in their heads about what life is like in a U.S. high school as well as in their U.S. host
December 10, 2023
The idea of American high school students taking a gap year abroad before attending college has been gaining popularity in recent years. While there are many potential benefits to taking a gap year abroad, there are also potential drawbacks. Let’s explore both sides of the debate.Why Take a Gap Year?Proponents argue that taking a gap
October 19, 2023
For countless international students, the dream of pursuing high school or higher education in a new country represents both immense opportunities and significant challenges. The excitement of experiencing a new culture is tempered by the nervousness of fitting in and making a home away from home. I know this experience, both the ups and the downs.
June 30, 2023
American students all know that homework is integral to their school performance. But foreign exchange students may have a very different understanding of and relationship to homework, and it can get them into big trouble here in the U.S. Therefore, host families need to be ready to help their exchange students “get with the program,”
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We'll give you information you can use as a host family, school, parent, or student, and we'll keep you informed about policy updates in cultural exchange