We are so excited to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet exchange student Emilie, who is originally from Germany. Emilie has truly embraced new experiences, fostered cross-cultural connections, and left a lasting impact on her host family and community in North Carolina.
Learn more about Emilie and her experience as a high school exchange student from Germany in North Carolina this year.
Why did you want to do an exchange year in the United States?
“I wanted to do an exchange year not just to meet new people and cultures, but also to grow as a person. I wanted to get more mature and independent, and, of course also learning better English. I was always interested in American culture and the US in general as a kid and saw this as a great opportunity to learn more about myself and others.”
What do you love about your host family in North Carolina?
“I appreciate my host family because they are very understanding with everything and took me in like a family member. I have a host mom, dad and little 4 year old host brother. They are always there for me when I need to talk and do a lot with me. I also share a lot of interests with them, which I very like. I am very grateful because I’m learning new things everyday. I am especially grateful for my host mom who’s like my best friend.”
What have you learned about American culture and how have you shared your culture with Americans?
“I have learned a lot of American culture already. The biggest thing for me was American spontaneity. I got to know a lot about food and family dynamics. I have also shared my culture through a presentation and a lot of conversations and talking.”
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Emilie from Germany?
Host families from across the United States come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’d like to host for a full school year, a semester, or just for a few weeks as Welcome Family, you can make an impact on an exchange student’s life by hosting!
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