Stepping outside our comfort zones and seeking change is a scary idea for many of us- why do something we aren't 100% certain about? But when we say yes to new experiences, life introduces us to cultures and communities that are only reachable through taking that first step.
Exchange students from countries all around the world dream of doing this very thing by visiting America through the International Student Exchange program. Since 1982, the organization has allowed students to temporarily live in countries with a host family to better their education and build relationships. Without the help of local families offering their households to host, their mission and goal of letting youth experience the world through the lens of a small town would never be possible. It's been ISE's leading motivation to persist for over forty years, during which they've brought communities closer together by promoting peace in a detached world. With their help, over 30,000 students have received access to quality exchange programs.
The cities of Kenyon and Wanamingo are no exception to this, but many exchange students still need families to open their doors. High schoolers from Europe, Asia, and South America are eager to experience life in a Minnesotan community, including people like Umberto. Hailing from a small Italian town, Umberto desires to go to America for the 2024 fall semester to gain independence and improve his English. Hosting him will offer a glimpse into his passion for robotics, philosophy, history, and geography while spotlighting interests like soccer, boxing, and spending time with friends. With his love for travel, he hopes to add Minnesota to his list of visited places, alongside Hawaii, Tanzania, and various European capitals.
If you're interested in positively impacting Umberto's life this upcoming semester, please message Jennifer Conrad, the determined woman aiming to get him and many other students into American households. Find her at 651-434-0517 or on Facebook, where she strives to bring exchange students the opportunities they deserve. If you want to impact your community in a meaningful and life-changing way, know that he and many others from Belgium, Spain, and Thailand look forward to meeting you. In the chance that you still have doubts, though, hear from a family who recently decided to host their first exchange student:
"It has been a phenomenal experience! We never dreamed that we would enjoy her so much. She has already asked us to visit her home country and said she feels like family here."
Apart from significantly affecting a student's life, hosting a kid benefits both sides in many ways. Sharing cultures, creating lasting memories, and allowing them to experience a day-to-day American lifestyle are all things that come with the program. Those of us who have always had access to such opportunities often take the small things for granted. But after seeing how grateful someone is for something as simple as education, our perspective shifts, and daily occurrences like a college football match or summer barbeque take on a new meaning. Hosting an exchange student isn't just about opening your doors- it's about opening your heart to something new, exploring the globe without leaving home, and sharing our world with others.
By inviting an exchange student into your life through the ISE program, you can learn about a foreign culture while allowing them to experience yours. This decision doesn't just greatly benefit the student and family; it showcases humanity's openness and care for people who were initially strangers. If you're considering hosting one of these incredible students, step outside what's expected of you this upcoming school year. Open the door to opportunity.
