For AYA exchange student Abel from Belgium, studying in the United States has already led to some incredible opportunities. Thanks to support from his host dad, Dan, along with his passion for politics and government, Abel recently had the chance to meet Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and speak with several other local and state leaders.
His journey began shortly after Abel arrived in Belleville, Illinois, and has become a powerful example of how high school exchange programs like Academic Year in America (AYA) can open doors, spark meaningful connections, and create unforgettable memories.
Discover how Abel’s passion for politics led to some incredible meetings with U.S. leaders.
According to host dad Dan, Abel stood out from the start because of his strong interest in government and public affairs:
“When I was choosing which student I would host this year, I was most impressed with Abel’s interest in politics, government, history, and geography. Those are all areas of personal interest and, when it comes to politics, I have been (and still am) politically active for over 40 years. He was a natural choice for me to host.”
Dan quickly began connecting Abel with local leaders. Just two weeks after his arrival, Abel met with Belleville Mayor Jenny Gain Meyer, who shared insights about local government and gave him a tour of city hall and the council chambers. Later this month, Abel is scheduled to be introduced to the city at a council meeting, which Dan notes is “our version of giving him the key to the city.” Talk about a warm welcome!
Soon after his meeting with the mayor, Abel met with Illinois State Representative (and Assistant Majority Leader) Jay Hoffman. Through those connections, Dan was able to arrange what was expected to be a brief meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with Governor JB Pritzker during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a local transportation project.
Although Abel was originally scheduled for a quick photo opportunity, Governor Pritzker took a genuine interest in meeting Abel. The conversation lasted about ten minutes and covered topics ranging from international exchange to Abel’s experiences at Belleville West High School.
Abel presented the governor with a handwritten card as well as a lapel pin featuring both the Belgian and American flags, which Governor Pritzker immediately pinned to his suit. In return, the governor presented Abel with a challenge coin and explained its significance.
The discussion also highlighted the value of cultural exchange. According to Dan, Governor Pritzker shared that he wished he had participated in an exchange program as a teenager and added “how important it is for all people to respect one another, and that begins with programs like foreign exchange.”
“It was an honor to meet such an important person in American government,” Abel said of the experience. “He was very kind, and, wow, the coin is beautiful and will always be special for me.”
After speaking with Governor Pritzker, Abel also had the opportunity to meet numerous local and state officials who were in attendance, including legislators, county leaders, and public servants from across the region. As Dan noted, each took time to learn about Abel’s exchange experience, answer his questions, and welcome him to the community:
“He met St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson, St. Clair County Clerk Tom Holbrook, Illinois State Senator Christopher Belt, former Congressman Jerry Costello, former Judge John Baricivic, and Illinois Secretary of Transportation Gia Biagi. Sheriff Watson is a former host father and Clerk Holbrook has extensive business relations with Belgium, so they had a natural and immediate connection. Every single one of these officials were very magnanimous with their time for Abel and enthusiastically posed for photos and video.”
For Dan, one of the most rewarding aspects of hosting has been watching Abel’s curiosity and enthusiasm create meaningful connections.
“It was an incredible experience,” Dan said. “The governor was extremely personable and genuinely interested in the subject enough to do a back-and-forth question/answer with Abel.”
Interested in hosting an exchange student like Dan did with Abel? No political connections are required!
While meeting a governor is certainly a unique experience, the story emphasizes the impact of high school exchange. When students and communities come together, they gain new perspectives and discover just how much they can learn from one another.
For Abel, a passion for politics led to a memorable meeting with one of Illinois’ top elected officials. For the leaders he met, it was an opportunity to hear directly from a young person experiencing American life through the lens of international exchange.
Interested in making a difference in a student’s life while bringing a new perspective into your own home? You don’t need to make any grand gestures or introductions to give them an experience of a lifetime! Simply opening your home and welcoming them like family is enough.
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