We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet Iga, our esteemed Student of the Month for March 2024! Originally from Poland, this FLEX Program student has embraced new experiences, fostered cross-cultural connections, and left a lasting impact on her host family and community in Georgia. Join us as we delve into Iga’s journey, celebrating her achievements, and reflect on the profound impact of hosting an exchange student.
Learn more about Iga and why she was nominated to be the March 2024 Student of the Month:
Iga has put forth consistent effort and seen a ton of success in sharing her culture. She created two presentations for International Education Week (IEW) and shared treats from her home country with students of different ages. For example, when presenting to younger kids she customized her presentation and the children loved hearing what the animals said in Poland. Iga also sought out a local Polish fundraiser and pierogi festival and made sure to share the invitation to her local group of exchange students. During a host family trip to Washington, D.C. she learned about our government and educated her host family on recent Polish elections and how they differ from ours. She takes the time to share world views and how the people felt about governmental changes on a person to person level.
Iga loves sharing her culture through food and has found fun and unique ways to do that in her host community. She has excelled in her cooking class in school, and was handpicked by her culinary teacher to volunteer at the school’s student-run food truck. She also volunteered in a culinary class for younger children to help them prepare, plate, and enjoy a coursed menu! One of Iga’s most impressive volunteer experiences was cooking and sharing pierogi, Polish salad and gyros with her host community’s police department. She’s always up for volunteering whether it be at her high school’s cooking club, volunteering in the local elementary schools, or helping deliver mail to neighbors. So far, she has completed over 60 hours of service, with plans for much more this spring.
Iga is adventurous and outgoing. She decided to compete in a brand new sport when it was mentioned that the dive team needed more members. She eagerly volunteered even though she had never tried it before. She went to practices, stayed late, and even made it to the county competition. Her dedication to her teammates and herself was inspiring. She is a wonderful example for the FLEX program and role model for the positive impact an exchange student can have.
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Iga?
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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