Dear Friend of ICES,

Spring has finally arrived!  Flowers and trees aren't the only things beginning to bud and blossom... our ICES exchange students are really getting into the spring swing of things; springs sports, host family activities, student trips, and all kinds of shenanigans abound this time of year!  Let's take a look and see what our students have been up to now that they've officially moved into their first spring in the USA!

In the News

In Rock Springs, Wyoming

Sometimes, all it takes to catch the "host family bug" is to answer a simple question or two.  

Regional Director Kristie Duncan recently answered some of those questions here!

Sophia, Seeing the

Real USA!

  "I really wanted to experience the culture of the United States through my own eyes," Sophia Sedlakova, a Slovakian exchange student, told WAND News in central Illinois.  Watch the whole interview right here!

Spring is Springing

Warmer temperatures and longer days means it's time to get out and about!  This spring our students haven't just been on breaks, they've been seeing a LOT of what our country has to offer.

Fun New ICES Blog Posts

How Youth Exchange Changed My Destiny

Before coming to the USA from Lake Como, Italy, multiple people gave me the same piece of advice: avoid dating anyone here as every exchange student is ultimately destined to return home before summer. I am usually one to follow advice, but I made a big exception in this case.

The Top 10 American Foods Your Exchange Student Should Try

I asked 10 American friends from different parts of the country to name their top American foods. And….I got 10 different answers. 

Lesson learned: America’s food is as diverse as its people.

Food is a delicious way to explore any culture, and America is no exception. 

What It's Really Like to Live with a Host Family

Every exchange student knows the feeling of anticipation while waiting for a host family, and the excitement and nervousness of finding out about their host family.  But they are not just friends and not exactly family, so what’s it actually like to live with a host family?

Living the Exchange Student Life

"When my student Julia (Germany) arrived, she thought apple pie was disgusting.  We couldn’t believe it.  She said it was the texture.  Now she requests it every week.  We (she) made one tonight and these are her process pictures."

~ Host Mom Penny from Michigan

Luis (Spain) poses with his host sister, Ruthie.  Luis was voted his school's Most Handsome, and Ruthie was in the school's Beauty Review.

Louise (France) is making the most of her exchange experience in Arkansas.

Meet our Students of the Month!

February Student of the Month, Mati Elenori 

ICES is very proud to introduce our February Student of the Month, Matilde Eleonori from Piacenza, Italy. “Mati” lives with the Hillary family in Oxford, Michigan and was nominated by both her host mother and her ICES Local Coordinator.

March Student of the Month, Rafael Hormaechea

ICES congratulates Rafael Hormaechea for being selected as the Student of the Month for March. Rafa is from Majadahonda, Spain and is living with the Smith family in Middletown, Ohio where he attends Middletown Christian School.

Time to Share

Student of the Month

If your exchange student is going the extra mile to adapt, integrate, and share cultures, you should nominate them for Student of the Month!  It's a high honor that comes with some great prizes.

Fun times!

We love to see all the adventures you and your exchange students are enjoying (We're thinking Spring Break here, folks!). Share your fun photos and stories with us and you'll likely see them pop up on our social media, blog, or newsletter.

Send us your favorite photos at stories@icesusa.org. Please include student's name & home country and host family's name and home state.