At the end of this month we will once again be saying goodbye to many of our students. The majority of the participants in the J-1 program, a study and travel visa program and the largest of the programs offered by ISE, follow the traditional public school schedule which runs from September to May. With slight variations on either side of the end date, the majority of those students studying on a J-1 visa will have returned home by the 31^st of May.

The end of the school year is symbolic for many reasons. It is a time for reflection, and liberation, and in many ways it marks the end of one stage of life and the beginning of another. Some students look ahead to the coming summer months and a long rest, while some are looking toward the beginning of a new adventure and exploration of their future as grown men and women. For some this epochal moment can be daunting, but especially in the case of exchange students it means saying goodbye to a family they have come to know and love, and preparing to reenter their former lives in their home country.

At a time when there is such a broad and imminent change on the horizon and there is so much to prepare for, you might expect our young exchange students to be shifting their focus from the goals of the program to their future endeavors. But the impending changes did not stop a group of students in Clarissa, MN from trying to give back to their community before departing.

Led by their Regional Manager and officials from their local high school, Diego Verreth, from Belgium; Seda Duru, from Germany; Larissa Carneiro, from Brazil, and several students from other organizations hosted a Information Night, during which they shared food, stories, and experiences from their respective home countries with people from the community. The event was open to all those who wished to attend, and, in accordance with our program’s goals of offering service and help to the hosting community, open donations were accepted which were turned over to a local food pantry.

The truly amazing part of the whole experience was the way in which each student adopted a special facet of their native culture to share with their regional citizens, and the fact that each and every one of these student will be returning home within the next few weeks.

To Larissa, Seda, and Diego, ISE appreciates your honorable achievements and wishes you all a safe trip home. We expect to hear from and about you in the near future, because bright ambitious students promise to fill the future with stunning accomplishments. We wish you luck!

One of the preeminent facets of the International Student Exchange program and the core goal in offering study opportunities to foreign students is the idea of bridging the gaps between diverse cultures and nations. For those fortunate travelers who have been abroad, they know that meeting people on their own soil, learning their customs, and experiencing what advances that culture has made is the principal avenue to promoting understanding and reconciling social and cultural disparity in the global community. In other words, you have meet people, sit with them, speak to them face to face, and establish personal connections in order to truly indentify with a separate, distinct, and independent social experience.

But what do we do for those people who cannot travel, who cannot trek across the globe and establish a firm handhold on the ever evolving, worldwide cultural collective? What can we offer to those people who want to know the state of the world, who wish to know what it means to live in Asia, Europe, or South America?

For those people, we bring the world to their doorstep. 

Take, for example, Ditte Rasmussen, TJ Nuszkowski, Erik Lundin, Fernanda Oliveira, Jaime Velazquez, and Dong Kang, students from Ohio who recently pledged their time to visit with the participants of the Tallmadge Center, a day program offered to adults with developmental disabilities. These young men and women honored our program by taking the day to spend time with the Tallmadge Center participants, sharing their cultural heritage and detailing their experiences both at home and abroad.

Many  of the participants at the Tallmadge Center, have never had the opportunity to travel abroad, and though the center cannot afford to send their participants overseas, they did offer them a “World Tour” program by asking the students to share their stories, explain the differences between their countries and ours, give virtual tours via photos and video. The Tallmadge Center’s participants were excited to learn about each student’s individual experience, and Michelle Dolensky, the Facility Manager, reported that the forty individuals in attendance were very grateful to spend the day with our exceptional young people.

Michelle’s kind words demonstrate the kind of gratitude we at ISE feel when we hear about our students and the great things they can do when they work together. We hope to hear more from our Ohio region in the future, and the terrific work they are doing with our students.

Many thanks to you all and a successful end to your program!

Mexican exchange student Paulina Vargas Sobrado was recently named this year’s prom queen at New Castle High School in New Castle, Indiana. As an exchange student, Vargas said that she was amazed to be given the title. She also said that she received several pleasant calls from excited family members back in Mexico for explanations of the title’s meaning, as they do not generally elect “kings” and “queens” of the prom in her Mexican hometown.

Lyndsey Davis, Paulina’s Economics teacher at New Castle High, was happy to see Paulina bestowed such a tremendous honor, and is quoted stating that in league with this regal accomplishment, Pauline is also an exceptional student, one that has achieved much and made positive relationships at their school.

“Pauline has really immersed herself in our culture," says Davis. "She made the tennis team, does excellent work in school, and in our economics class she is able to offer dynamic perspectives into the differences between the American and Mexican economic systems.” When asked about Paulina’s relationship with the faculty and students at New Castle, Davis responded by saying, “Paulina is one of the most popular students. She is very well liked. Everyone knows Paulina. She is really a topnotch student.”

Paulina will only be with us for another few short weeks, but it is clear that Paulina has made the absolute most of her time here, and we will be sad to see her go. Congratulations Paulina! We wish you safe trip home and much success in your bright future.

International Student Exchange would like to congratulate Jan “Jesse” Pitela, a student from Czech Republic who recently took home first prize in Frederick’s Supermarket of Cars High School Commercial Contest. With the help of his academic advisor, Ray Clements, Jesse designed a commercial entitled “Fuel Efficiency,” which highlights the fuel economy features of several new automobiles created by Chevrolet.

Each winner took home a new iPad for himself, and shared the reward of a car which was donated to Annville-Cleona High in Pennsylvania. Jesse was also granted the opportunity to work with professional designers and visual arts studios to bring his vision to life. As an experienced visual artist, Jesse was happy to get back into working with the video medium, and is quoted in the local Lebanon Daily News saying “I thought [the contest] was a nice opportunity to make something again. I really liked the experience. It was kind of like working for a client, even though it was a competition.”

Ray Clements was happy to help Jesse along the way and afterwards to share his admiration for a young man with such talent and ambition. To date Jesse has dozens of videos on YouTube and a following of almost 2 million viewers. Some of his stunning works include several slow motion action scenes and fan fiction clips of films such as The Matrix, and Inception.

A truly talented young artist, Jesse has honored his school, his country, and International Student Exchange with his recent victory. Take some time to view his multitude of videos at YouTube/jessepitela.

 Marc Mueller, one of our exceptional exchange students from Germany, has put together an essay in which he describes his experience and what others can expect when undertaking a study abroad program. Though students coming to the U.S. can expect a lot of work, as Marc says, "it is worth it." Please take some time to read his essay and share your thoughts.

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One year has ended and another begins. At such an interstitial time of year it seems dually appropriate both to recollect and to imagine, to leaf through the memories, looking back on what has been accomplished, while simultaneously looking at the days ahead and wondering what the coming year has in store for us.

In retrospect we have the student accomplishments, family bonds, academic achievements and friendships made in the past twelve months, and before us we have an exciting influx of new minds and personalities, new events and occasions, new surprises and expectations. I can only speculate what lies ahead, but if this upcoming year is to be anything like the one that has just come to a close we can all prepare to be continually amazed at what student exchange offers and what it produces when students and families are brought together.

 Though I am relatively new at ISE, your humble editor has seen some amazing sights in the past few months. I have seen students come to this country and flourish academically. I have seen young people who make their countries proud, and honor ours with their achievements. I have seen young people adapt, grow, learn, and become involved. And I have seen them leave, hearts a bit heavy, eyes a bit misty, knowing that they leave a bit of themselves here and that their families send a bit of themselves along.

 I have seen our Regional Coordinators, Managers and Representatives, who work around the clock to attend to our students, come together to share tips and stories, all of whom have said goodbye to at least one student with whom they will never lose contact. I have even seen their children working up the courage to say goodbye to their new brother or sister, knowing full well that they will meet again, but each unsure as when or how it will be.

 In our collective future I see the continuation of an ever reaching presence in the global community. I see students and teachers and parents and friends who understand the value of cultural and academic exchange and the present and future possibilities of one day reaching our goal of global understanding and world peace. I see people who refuse to sit idly by as others go hungry, or make war with one another, or refuse empathy.

 And through all this International Student Exchange believe we can make tomorrow a little bit better for the generations to come. Each great movement starts with a single idea, a small step, and a commitment. If you have hosted before, our global network thanks you. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us and find out how you can be a host family for a student that wishes to see America and everything our country has to offer. And if you are a student, the world is waiting to hear what you have to say.

 We at ISE wish everyone a safe, happy,and healthy New Year, all the best to your families, friends and students, and hope for a better future through global unity.

In a touching farewell to his host family and friends, Brazilian exchange student, Jose Baiao, admitted that while adapting and adjusting to his life in America was by no means easy, it was an experience he says he will never forget.

Jose’s story is somewhat atypical in the sense that he came for a short stay and managed to take away so much. Despite the shortened time frame of the five-month program he entered, Jose made friends everywhere he went and tried hard to absorb the country around him.  When asked to describe his time here, he replied “In the beginning of my placement…it was not all that I was expecting it to be. Small town, five months without soccer…but five months later I really wish that I could stay.”

We always say that students who find a niche, who carve out a little nook for themselves within the community they are placed are the ones who have most success. In order to really become immersed in the program a student has to find ways to apply their skills and cultural understanding to the American way of life, and then they come to fully realize what the country and what ISE have to offer. Though he had to give up soccer, Jose took up football and adopted the hobbies of his fellow classmates and athletes, and his academic and athletic success have provided him with a host of memories to take back home: “I will never forget the…football games. I will never forget all the jokes. I will never forget Mtn. Dew! I will never forget anything. And…one day I will come back, and you guys better be here to see me.”

 Jose’s host family described him as a “model student” and they are sorry to see him go, but we know that when Jose finally boards his plane and waves goodbye, that it will not be the last time we see him. ISE wishes José and the rest of the returning students a safe trip and happy holidays. We cannot wait to see you again! Bon voyage!

International Student Exchange would like to extend a thank you and congratulations to Sampsa Isahatala and Luis Trinidade from the South West region for their success on the Panthers football team at Yellville Summit High school in Arkansas.  Both students have received a praiseworthy mention for their performance on the football team this year, honoring their coaches, host families, natural families, and of course International Student Exchange with their achievements. Sampsa was awarded 1^st Team All-Conference, and Luis was awarded 2^nd Team All-Conference, both high regards for any student athlete, but somewhat more notable in this case as neither student has ever played American football before coming to the United States.

To Sampsa and Luis, ISE salutes and congratulates your achievement, and we wish you a successful and happy remainder of the year with your host family and school.

When asked “what was the most rewarding aspect of the exchange program?”the majority of host parents will say “the memories,” or “making new friends.” For these fortunate volunteers, the hosting experience was a footbridge to broader and greater experiences, an occasion that enriched their lives while providing an opportunity for educational and cultural exposure to the students they hosted.

It is also popular to hear a host say “I decided to host not really knowing what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.” I many cases, their student becomes a part of the family, and after a few months they become so inextricably intertwined in the family’s day-to-day life that the family cannot foresee having to say goodbye at the end of the program.

These instances are not rare, and neither are they overlooked; they are the kinds of relationships we like to hear about at International Student Exchange, and thanks to Susan Cheng of Texas, and her students, Helene and Emilie, we have another to add to what has become a long and brilliant list.

Susan was nice enough to share with us a letter written by one of her students, and a story about a special gift that will ensure she never forgets what hosting a student has done for her and for her family. Please take a moment to read Helene's letter, in which she thanks Mrs. Cheng for the the year they spent together:

“Miss Emilie arrived with a handmade recipe booklet with decorated cardboard covers and giant rings to hold the pages. She had converted all of her favorite Norwegian recipes to cups and teaspoons…from the metric so that I could enjoy making (or she could make for me) some of her favorite foods.”

We at ISE would like to say thank you to Susan, Helene, and Emilie for sharing their story with all of us. We wish all of you out there reading, hosting, and living a happy and healthy holiday.

Homecoming festivities are a time honored tradition in America, dating back to college celebrations in the late 1800s in which students and faculty welcomed back returning alumni. The week long revelry generally included dances, rallies, picnics, and football games during which school teams would face off against their athletic and academic rivals.

Today these celebrations take place all over America, but there may be some districts hard pressed to find a region that does it with the gusto and fervor shown in the Northwest. In states like Washington and Oregon, homecoming is the event of the year for students and citizens. Parades, games, dances, and all manner of festivities take place the whole week long, and at the end the King and Queen chosen by the student body will stand preeminently with their classmates and neighbors to celebrate another year and the return of their local heroes.

In Ephrata, Washington, for example, homecoming includes a week of rallies, themed dress up days, dances, and games in which students and teachers compete against one another for various prizes. This year was especially notable, as Ephrata took home their first football victory in several years against their longstanding rivals.

In the Northwest region as a whole, nine exchange students were named king and queen of homecoming at their respective high schools, and the exchange students had a chance to meet neighbors and former alumni from all over the country.

We at ISE wish the Northwest region and all regions across the U.S. a successful and productive year, and congratulate Ephrata on their recent victory.