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 Nina, our esteemed Student of the Month for October 2024! Originally from Germany, this exchange student has embraced new experiences, has fostered cross-cultural connections, and has left a lasting impact on her host family and community in Pennsylvania. Join us as we dive into Nina’s journey, celebrate her achievements, and reflect on the profound impact of hosting an exchange student.
Learn more from Nina’s host dad about why she was nominated to be the October 2024 Student of the Month:
“When our family first signed up to host an exchange student, we were excited, but of course there was some nervousness as well. Nina has blown away all of our expectations. She has been with us for only a month, but she already feels like a member of our family. We live in a rural community in northwest Pennsylvania, and it had to be a big change for Nina. But from her very first day with us she has gone out of her way to be as friendly and outgoing as possible.
Nina has also spent a lot of time volunteering at our local elementary school. Only a few days after being here she went into the school and helped to make a welcome back to school video where she learned about our school expectations. This video was shown to the whole school. Nina was a real leader on this project and the younger students loved meeting her and working with her. Our school counselor and principal were also very impressed with Nina. She is currently working on a cultural presentation where she will give presentations to each grade level (3rd, 4th, 5th,) about what life and school are like in Germany.
This is not the only volunteer work that Nina is doing with local children though. I am a third-grade teacher in the school and Nina found out that we are doing a reading unit on fairy tales. She asked if she could come into my classroom to read different fairy tales and fables to the class. She will also be helping to lead the class in fluency plays based on different fairy tales and fables. One of my favorite parts about being a teacher is seeing joy and excitement in my students’ eyes. I see that joy when Nina comes into my classroom. The students adore her! She is a great mentor and role model for them, and I can’t wait to see what other great things she does with these children.
There is so much more I could say about Nina, but what really makes her special is the little things that she does every day. She always has a smile and a kind word for everyone.”
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Nina?
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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