My name is Annette Larsen, and I spent my senior year In Portland, Oregon. I loved it, it changed my life so much , and I dont know how my life would have been if I wouldnt have gone. I got alot of American friends and my host family was great. They let me into their lives and I started caring for them alot. I joined sports at my school, so I was a part of the school spirit, go Wildcats. I went to different churches that gave me an eye-opening. I had a totally new and different life that I learned alot from. It showed me places and sides of a new culture that I miss very much. My independece and confident went from low to high and strong, and I feel smarter in every way. I love having this amazing experience too look back at, and I recomend this in every way.
Take care,
Annette - Norway
Yes, I had a wonderful experience. I met a host family who cared a lot about me. They have cooked for my birthday, sewed my prom dress, and took me to so many adventure. I made so many good friendship with Americans and other exchange students. We still keep in touch through email, facebook and even postcards. They are all planning to visit my country to be in my wedding. My Area Representative visited me and also opened some cool events for us. It was my first time to play with the snow, take a Limo ride, go on a roller coaster in Disneyland, and be on the newspaper. I had many wonderful moments that I can never forget in my life. Thanks ISE a lot for bringing me there. Please follow this link to check out the zine I wrote for being an exchange student.
Mai Doan - Vietnam
I have to say that my 10 months in the states is one of my best memories that I will never forget.My experiences from living in the states have changed my life. I had such an amazing host family. They were all welcome me and love me as if I'm their own daughter. My host siblings are so cool, we got to spend time together during school breaks and it was unforgettable. I have bounded with them so closely. We still keep in touch till these days and they are coming to visit me in Thailand next year. I've participated in some school sports and that taught me so much. I've learnt not to give up on things and how to work as a team. I absolutely loved those ten months I got to spend in Oregon!
Only less than a year in the states, I've changed my view so much. I started to see things from both sides and learnt how to work things out.
Now I recieve the government scholarship to study aboard from my bachelor's till my Ph D. and I choose to go back to the states again because that's where my life really got started.
All of this wouldn't happen at all if I didn't get a good support from my Area Rep who helped me out with the school and provided such a useful information for me.
I want to say thank you very much Gayle for helping me out.
Gift - Thailand
My host family was so nice, and they always helped me when I had any problems or got homesick (although I didn't get homesick a whole lot). They took me on boat trips and to fairs and always treated me just like their own children. With my host sister being an exchange student aswell, we were able to share our experiences with each other and we became really good friends.
I had tons of fun, even going to school, since it was all new and exciting. There were so many interesting subjects to choose from!
It was easy to make friends, especially when the language barrier decreased after the first weeks.
Also, it was good to have Gayle as an area rep call regularly in case I had any problems. She also arranged great trips for all the exchange students in her area, f.e. to Seattle, so I got to meet more exchange students from all around the world.
This all added up to the one-of-a-kind experience.
If I had another chance like this, I would not hesitate one second but take it!!!
hope you like it, it's nothing but the truth=)
Talk to you soon,
Alexandra - Germany