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!

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.

The students of International Student Exchange and their Area Representative (Nancy Jo Wilson) put together a Pumpkin Painting Event for the children of Clifton-Clyde Area on Oct. 15, 2011. Youngsters who attended the event were invited to paint pumpkins, make ghosts, have their faces painted, play games and meet exchange students from all over the world.

20 foreign exchange students have been placed around North Central Kansas this year, and 17 of them were able to come and attend the event with the children.Thanks to generous donations from several local organizations including The Clifton American Legion who donated the Legion Hall; Sutton Family Farms from Norway, Kansas who donated the pumpkins; and Wal-Mart Super Center of Concordia, Kansas who donated a gift card to help purchase materials, the students and local children all had a chance to take part in the cultural exchange experience and spend an afternoon of fun with peers. Other donors for the event included SSC Trucking Inc. of Miltonvale, Kansas; Galen Haas; Sandy Schwab; Eva Schwab; Trisity Pope; Ashley Crowl; Sharon Hartman; and Leah Schwab.

As part of the ISE exchange program, students who participated at this event were able to log hours for ISE’s Project H.E.L.P, a community service component required of all students hosted here in the U.S. Host families of the students also volunteered to help make the day fun and eventful, lending their help and support to the students they sponsor.

The children and their family members who attended were able to meet students representing the countries of Vietnam, Thailand, Slovakia, China, Taiwan, Brazil, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Ecuador, Venezuela, Spain, Germany and Turkey. Thank you for all those that donated to help make this event possible, and thank you to Clifton-Clyde High School for giving our students a chance to study and learn in the United States.

Placing foreign exchange students is a rewarding albeit difficult experience for many area representatives throughout the United States. The ISE NY office understands this and appreciates the dedication and commitment that each local representative has for exchange students.

As August rolls on, we are reminded of how amazing the world of student exchange truly is for Americans and international students. In the southern United States, many students have begun to arrive and exchange their cultures with their host families. In less than a month, students will arrive in the northern United States where they too will begin their exchange programs.

We are all delighted that this program continues on in 2010 and that people like you make it a reality for all parties involved.

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student, please visit http://www.iseusa.com/meetStudents.cfm