Two sisters embark on a life-changing exchange year in the US. Malin, 17 years old, and Sophia, 18 years old, are sisters from Sweden who have always been very close. They have been best friends their entire lives, sharing experiences and leaning on one another for support. “We have always talked about everything,” shares Malin. “In Sweden, we went to the same school, worked at the same place, and knew each other’s lives very well.” Their most recent shared experience is participating on the PSE program together. Malin and Sophia chose to attend high schools in different cities withi ..read more

In the Fall of 2023, Annagiulia from Italy embarked on her PSE exchange experience with a determined mind and a heart full of vigor. As a 17-year-old senior in high school in Yorba Linda, CA, she was ready to take on the opportunities and challenges that awaited her. “I am a creative person with a strong personality. I have always had a continuous curiosity and desire to discover all the new things that surround me,” she explains. “I am very adaptable to my surroundings. I’m not afraid of changes, in fact I always look at the positive side. I really want to live my American dream and ..read more

When PSE students arrive to the U.S., they experience an adjustment process which can prove to be both challenging and life changing. For example, eating new foods, attending American high school, engaging in extracurricular activities, living in a new home with a new family, and for some, living with host siblings, are all new experiences they need to adapt to. As was the case for PSE students Giorgia and Jan. Giorgia and Jan are attending high school in Woodland Hills, California for the semester. Giorgia, a Senior, and Jan, a Sophomore, live with their host mother, Marian, a life ..read more

Paul and Janie reside in a beautiful home in Chandler, AZ. They were empty nesters for nearly 16 years before they entertained the idea of hosting a student from Italy with PSE. “I’ve been retired for almost three years. So, with no kids in the house and retirement in play, the freedom was exponential,” shares Paul. Janie adds, “We had more flexibility. I didn’t have to make meals, and we could go out to eat whenever we wanted. The housework lessened, and it was just a simpler life.” When they read about an opportunity to host a boy from Italy named Gian Marco, also kn ..read more

When Rina, from South Korea, arrived in Illinois in August 2022, she was only 14 years old.  As a freshman in a high school in Providence, she was excited about her school year here in America. Rina enjoyed her Freshman year immensely, and over time she grew very close to her host family. Rina shares, “I sincerely appreciate my host family. They treat me like a family member, and we spend a lot of time together. I love making jokes with them. We make fun of each other and laugh a lot!” Her host mother, Kelly, shares that Rina first came into their family as a quiet and res ..read more

After graduating from high school in France, Elena decided to embark on the PSE exchange program for a full academic year in Rockford, Illinois.  Elena states that the biggest challenge was leaving her family in France.  “At first, I didn’t think it would be that difficult. I was super excited, but then going to a new family I found nothing was perfect. My English wasn’t that good which made it hard to communicate. It was hard for me to get along with them at first, and I felt very lonely. I missed my family and the peace of my familiar environment in France.” Mar ..read more

Xenya, or “Maya” as her friends and host family call her, is a PSE student from Germany who attended high school as a Senior near Easton, Pennsylvania and graduated in May 2023.   Maya enjoyed living in Bethlehem, PA for her exchange year and shares her perception of the town: “Bethlehem is a little city, but it has a lot of things to offer, like malls, adventure parks, bowling alleys, and much more. It is a quieter place but not too far away from two big cities (NYC and Philly) and has the Poconos mountains right next to it. I like the fact that I am a little bit more suburban ..read more

Dong Hyuk, from South Korea, is known by her friends and family in America as “Christine.”  She arrived to Easton, PA as a 15-year-old Freshman. According to Sharon, her host mother, “She was part of our family the minute she walked through our door four years ago with two large suitcases she could barely carry.” Christine remained positive as she established a new life in America at such a young age. Homesickness was never an issue for her. She shares, “I started with my host family when I was 15, and now I’m 19. The technology helped so much to keep me in touch with my family back ..read more

Daniela, from Spain, is one of our youngest students on the PSE program this year.  At only 14 years of age, she came to America (Rochester, NY) with many dreams and a yearning for adventure. She describes her feelings while adjusting to her new home environment: “I was nervous and afraid. I’ve never left my home before. It was so hard for me to wake up in a place that I didn’t know, without my Dad in the living room, my Mom telling me all the things I had to do, my sister waiting for me to spend time together, and my dog in my door to jump on me and say good morning.” Despite a ..read more

Sophie has always dreamed of visiting America and experiencing American life. Now, at 16 years old, Sophie’s dream came true in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Before coming to America, she thought an exchange year would be a “perfect opportunity to get to know a new life with a new culture and new friends.”  She shares, “I really looked forward to being able to get to know myself better and become more independent. Overall, I wanted to have an unforgettable year in the USA with beautiful memories, new experiences, and great new friendships that would last a long time.” Her exchange year proved ..read more