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Julie from Denmark spent her exchange in China

I spent 10 months in northern China, in Hebei province, and I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better experience.

Julie Chaanhing DK CHI

Why did I choose China?

The reason I chose to do an exchange year in China was because I wanted to try something different from the classical exchange countries, meet new people, and improve my Mandarin.
 

School life in China

School life in China is totally different from what I was used to in Denmark. The first period would start at 8 am, and the last period would end at 5:25 pm. Then there was something I was definitely not used to, which was evening self-study, which would last from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Even though the school days were long, it wasn’t that hard. The lessons were mostly focused on learning Chinese, and the teachers would incorporate fun games into the learning.
 
Besides Chinese classes, we would also have other fun, creative subjects like tai chi, kung fu, Chinese calligraphy, dance, and music.
 

Life on campus

In China, students live in dormitories at the school, which I also did. I lived in the dormitory on the weekends with two other exchange students, which was really fun because I got to learn about their culture too. The dormitory was nice overall and had all the necessities needed. Instead of a host family, we had a dormitory auntie who would care for us, make sure our rooms were clean, and make sure we were all home before curfew.
 

My host family

On the weekends and during holidays, I stayed with my host family, which consisted of my host mom, host dad, host sister, and a little dog. They were very welcoming and took me to travel to many different cities. Communicating wasn’t hard since my host sister was pretty good at English, and in that way, I could help her practice her English, while she would help me practice my Chinese.
 

Friends

Making friends wasnt hard since I was in a class with 14 other exchange students, which made it a lot easier because we were all in the same boat. Making friends with the Chinese students wasn’t hard either, since they were all very interested in speaking to us and learning about foreign cultures.
 

Travels

On my exchange, I also went on many different trips. I ended up visiting 12 different provinces with the school, my friends, and my host family. Since China is so big, there are many cultural differences for each province, and my travels gave me a pretty good understanding of these differences.
 

Highlights of my year

I had so many good memories that it’s hard to choose my favorite, but if I had to name some, it would be my trips during Chinese New Year, when we had one month off. My host family took me to their hometown in the far north of China, and a week later, I went to the far south of China. The following month, I just spent travelling. I ended up visiting 4 provinces and 7 cities. That was definitely the best month of my life.

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Elsa chose to study in the USA

Hi! My name is Elsa and I’m from Sweden. With the help of STS, I was able to fulfill my childhood dream of doing an exchange year in the USA.

After looking around for different options I found that STS seemed like the best organization for me and I am very happy with all the support I have gotten before, during, and after my exchange program.

I spent 10 months in the state of Tennessee in the south of the United States, and it was the most amazing and exciting experience in my life that can’t compare to anything else.

Welcome Camp in New York City

Before I arrived in Tennessee I got to spend three days in New York City at the STS Welcome Camp. We were about 40 students who got to spend time together preparing for culture exchange, getting warmed up with using the English language, and of course exploring the magical city. The Welcome Camp was one of my favorite parts of the whole exchange year. The bond you are able to form with other exchange students in just a few days is actually crazy, some of the people I met at the Welcome Camp I still talk to and we were able to help each other through our exchange year even though we lived in completely different parts of the country.

My host family

After spending time in New York it was finally time to meet my host family. I remember not being able to sleep because of the nerves and excitement. From the first moment I met my host parents I knew that I would like them and we got along so well. Now that I am back in Sweden, I still talk to them and it’s something I cherish very much. They are like my second family, and they taught me and showed me so much that still impacts my life.

My high school

My high school was huge and it really looked like in the movies. Before getting my placement, I didn’t really have a preference on how big my school was going to be. I havd heard great things about all different kinds of schools and there will always be pros and cons with everything,

School sports

I really embraced the American high school culture and did my best to be part of the school spirit. I participate in the basketball, soccer, and softball team. Being part of sports teams were truly the highlight of my exchange year, and I got to learn so much about American culture and gained so many friendships. And don’t be scared if you aren’t good at sports. If you talk to the coaches they will usually let you be part of the team in one way or another. I for example had never played softball before, but the coach let me be a manager and help out at practices and games and I thought it was so much fun. The girls in the team really made me feel appreciated and loved.

I also loved to watch school sports games. In the spring, I went to a lot of baseball games. But my favorite was Friday night lights in the fall, of course I’m talking about the football games. The atmosphere, the student section, and the marching band really made it feel unreal. One of the most memorable nights was when we won against the school rivals!

 

Other highlights

Other highlights from my exchange year are youth nights with the church, late night drives with friends to get food, tanning and swimming for the majority of the year, attending my host brother’s wedding, visiting Florida and Universal Studios, hiking, graduation, getting a surprise birthday party, celebrating Thanksgiving and Halloween, and the school dances. I could keep the list going for on!

 

My best advice

My best advice for future exchange students:

  • don’t stress your placement too much, it will work out great!
  • don’t be scared to try new things, you will always learn something from it!
  • you only live once, so spend your time exploring the world!

 

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Australia – our second home

Sisters Isabella and Amanda spent their exchange on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

Amanda who was the first one to leave on her exchange year closely looked at the different schools that STS offered all over Australia. Important for her was to live close to the ocean, in an area with beautiful nature and rather in a smaller town than a big city. Amanda decided to move to the Sunshine Coast, a coastal town an hour away from Brisbane. The Sunshine Coast turned out to be better than she had expected and when it was Isabella’s turn to choose her destination she had heard about all the pro’s of the Sunshine Coast.

In order to still get a unique experience she chose another school on the Sunshine Coast. The “Sunny Coast” as it is called in aussie slang feels authentic and it was in our opinion the perfect area to explore the real aussie lifestyle. It’s a family friendly area with a very active lifestyle. The Sunshine Coast has a long coastline with stunning beaches, markets on the weekends, smaller town centers with cafés and stores, cute picnic spots and hiking trails in the hinterland.

The first weeks

When arriving in Australia, Amanda had decided to put a little extra effort in the beginning. I had decided to try and call friends or family as little as possible during the first month. I said yes to everything that I was invited to and tried to be extra kind and open. I think my effort in the beginning helped to prevent homesickness in the beginning and I jumped straight into the aussie lifestyle.

Isabella particularly remembers that everything felt new and unfamiliar in the beginning. She would like to remind herself to not expect too much from herself the first weeks, everything will eventually fall into place.

The Australian high school

Before going on exchange we had heard a lot about the American high school experience with cheerleading, football games and prom. But the Australian high school was still quite unfamiliar. Differently from the USA and many other exchange destinations, we both wore a school uniform to school everyday. Beside the compulsory subjects we got the opportunity to create our own timetables and choose courses such as Marine Science, Aquatic Practises, Furnishing and Design. We wanted to try everything that isn’t offered in the Finnisch school. For Amanda, the biggest culture chock was that we didn’t eat warm lunch in a cafeteria. Everyone brought their own lunches and ate with their friend groups somewhere around the campus area. The school days usually finished before 2 pm, which meant we always had the afternoon for our free time activities.

The aussie lifestyle – the highlight of the year

Both of us fell in love with the Australian way of living. Taking part of the lifestyle the locals were living was one of our favourite parts of the exchange year. The beach culture was a very central part in life and Australians were very active. The weekends were often spent at the beach, people woke up for early beachwalks and surfing was a common hobby in the area. The sun sets quite early and Australians love their early mornings, so it became quite natural to go to bed early and start the day in the early hours.

How we spent our free time

Both of us joined a sport when we first arrived. Amanda played tennis, and Isabella started swimming. Both sports were familiar to us from back home. After a while we discovered the Australian way of living. Everyone is very spontaneous and adventurous. We both realised that we wanted even more flexibility in our day to day life, so we quit our sports and had time for all our new free time activities. Some days we just chilled at the beach, browsed around in the town and got an acai bowl or something to eat. Other days we chose to do more active activities such as going for a coastal walk, a hike in the hinterland, running or surfing. On the weekends we loved to explore new places by bus with our friends and visit markets. One of our favourite weekend evening activities was to have sunset picnics with our friends or BBQ:s at the beach. We were both open to trying new things so we also joined our schools’ netball teams.

Challenges we faced

What you see online is often a very filtered portrait of an exchange year, and in reality it is common to face challenges. Before leaving we were encouraged to do everything we possibly could. However building a new life and socialising all the time can become exhausting at some point. Therefore we learned that it is more than okay to sometimes stay home and take a break or do something completely by yourself. It’s not only a trip, but a whole life and you need to create a balance that is sustainable to keep up for a year.

Australia is quite a popular destination for exchange students. Therefore our schools’ had quite a few other exchange students. Comparing our own experience with the other exchange students’ sometimes became exhausting and it felt like it took away from our happiness. We both learned how to focus on all that we had instead of what we didn’t.

Our aussie favourites

A song that reminds us of Australia

  • Amanda: Brazil – Declan McKenna
  • Isabella: How To Fly – Sticky Fingers

An Aussie slang word

  • Amanda: Cheers Mate (a way of saying thank you)
  • Isabella: brekkie (breakfast)

Food

  • Amanda: Acai bowl
  • Isabella: Yochi frozen yoghurt

Tradition

  • Isabella: Going to farmers markets on Sundays
  • Amanda: Having BBQ:s at the beach

The best thing our exchange gave us

We can both agree that the people we met is by far the best thing about our exchange year. Not only all the amazing friends who we’re still in contact with, but also all the people we got to have conversations with and learn from during the year.

The very international environment in Australia has given us inspiration for opportunities on what we want to do in the future.

The future

Amanda came home from her exchange year two years ago and has now graduated from high school. She decided to study business in Finland. After experiencing an exchange year she waits for her next opportunity to live abroad. Amanda has plans on doing an exchange semester abroad during University and maybe wants to move abroad to work in her twenties. Isabella on the other hand, has two more years left of high school in Finland before she takes on the next adventure. We have supported each other through the whole journey, which has brought us even closer. We are already planning a trip back to Australia. Our dream has always been to drive around in a van, surf our hearts out and enjoy the Aussie lifestyle together very soon again”.

Lastly our best piece of advice for exchange students

  • Don’t always think about the future and highlights, such as bigger events, because then you will easily miss out on enjoying the small, but still unique everyday moments that will create the best memories.
  • So much will happen during your year abroad, so document it through photos, videos or maybe a journal or memory box.
  • Try not to compare what you see on social media or with other exchange students. Often what you see is still not the whole reality, so it just takes away from your own happiness and gratitude for what you have.
  • Be open and kind to people, because often joining one activity can lead to many more opportunities.

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Johanna studied abroad in the USA

My Exchange Year in Missouri (2024/25).

The dream of going to the USA

I attended a public high school for an entire year starting in 2024, and I remember it as one of the best years of my life! It had always been my American dream to go on an exchange program—specifically to Missouri—because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, practice my English, and live in a completely new setting.

The idea of staying in the U.S. had always fascinated me, and I had long wanted to experience what they call “American high school life,” especially after watching several movies about it.

American High School life

The spontaneity and freedom showcased in American high school movies definitely did not disappoint when I arrived at Springfield Public High School. The people at my school were very cordial and supportive, and I quickly got involved in various activities.

There were so many different extracurriculars to choose from—including cheerleading, FCA, history club, and student council—so I joined most of them, and even joined the Track team!

Joining Clubs

We also had an active school choir, which I absolutely loved. I ended up winning several talent shows during my time there. These activities helped me participate in the local community and meet lots of people. By the end of the year, I was lucky enough to call several of them my friends.

My Host Family

My host family was wonderful. From day one, they treated me like a real family member. We had long chats over dinner, went on road trips, and enjoyed game nights together. Everything—from the school spirit to football games and people greeting you in the hallway—was an exciting cultural experience for me.

Challenges

Of course, there were also some difficulties, such as homesickness. But I received a lot of help and support from the people at school and from those back home in Vienna. Now that I’ve pushed through the hard parts, I don’t want to leave my second home.

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Mathildas exchange year in Italy

Ciao, my name is Mathilda and I’m 17 years old. I’m from Finland and I spent my exchange year in Italy during the 24/25 school year. I was placed in the beautiful Northern-Italy near lake Maggiore.

Why did I choose Italy?

I always knew that I wanted to do an exchange year when the time would come, but a few years ago I was still thinking about which country will be good for me. I knew from the start that I wasn’t interested in America like many people are but luckily STS had many other countries around the world for me to choose from. I came to the decision to stay in Europe and to experience a different culture from my own. I looked at Spain and Italy and made the decision to choose Italy because: of the delicious food, versatile nature, fun people and the gorgeous language. I thought that Italy had so much to offer, which it did.

What was school like in Italy?

I was sure that school will be much harder than at home, and it was true. Italian students have a lot of work to do at home and in school they mostly listen to the teachers. But of course for me as an exchange student, who doesn’t even need any grades from the year, the teachers didn’t give me the same work as they got. I got to customize my timetable a bit to get more italian and subjects I’m interested in. In Italian high schools, there are different “lines” for example language line, scientific line, artistic line and many others.

After school activities

Finding something to do after school is very important to keep you busy and meet new people. In my area it wasn’t possible to continue my sport from home, so it was an excellent opportunity to try a new sport. I chose tennis and I’m happy about my decision. I learnt a new sport that I now continue back home and I got new friends. I played in a small group with girls my age. In addition to tennis I taught english as a volunteer at my host-sisters elementary school. This experience taught me a lot of things and the little kids were adorable. Every friday I went to Italian lessons with a few other exchange students and some days I went for lunch with classmates.

Building relationships

Having a good relationship with your host family and building friendships is important during your exchange, but it can be hard. It is important to spend time with your host family for example cooking with them, playing games or going outside. I felt this very easy because italians love to be around people. I found my best friend from my class. We had talked a bit and then I got the courage to ask her for lunch after school and that’s when we started to get closer as friends. You can’t expect that everyone will approach you so as an exchange student you will have to do some work as well to build strong relationships.

Learning a new language

This was easily the biggest thing I was scared of before my exchange. Having to learn a new language from zero. I knew some words before so during the first days I caught people saying those specific words sometimes but little by little I started to understand the language and memorizing more words and phrases. In the end it is quite easy to catch a language because you will hear it at school, hobbies, family and shops etc. Around christmas time I felt more comfortable and started to speak only Italian. It is a journey that needs time and patience but it is worth it!

Highlights of my year

During my year I was lucky enough to visit many beautiful places in Italy. My exchange organization in Italy made trips during the year and I participated on trips to Florence and Venice. With my host family we went skiing for a week in the mountains and over easter time we visited Croatia. Also I really enjoyed visiting Milan often.

Why did I choose STS

I felt very comfortable choosing STS because I knew they are reliable and care about each student. They truly want a safe and fun experience for every exchange student. It was nice that they were in contact with me during the exchange year and asked me how I was going.

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Maddalena spent a year abroad in the USA

My exchange year in Oklahoma, USA.

I went for an exchange year in Bixby, Oklahoma. I chose to do a full year to get to know the culture and the English language better, and to live the life I’ve always dreamed of. Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to the United States, so my choice was pretty obvious.

The school was just like in the movies and everything was so perfect! I got to go to the football games that were magical. Making friends wasn’t hard, I joined the swim team, and I met a lot of people that quickly became some of my best friends. My host family was also perfect, and we have a really strong bond! I miss them so much.

The biggest difference between the US and Europe was probably the food and all the fast foods, but they were amazing! It was fun to try them all. The best thing about my experience was being able to share thoughts with people from different cultures. I also enjoyed the school system being more fun and relaxed.

I recommend everyone to do the exchange year. It makes you more mature and aware of who you are and how strong you are. My top advice is to be as open as you can, and to say YES to every new experience!

My exchange year was just how I expected it to be, and I would choose to do it with STS again and again! They were amazing, and I loved my host town. I didn’t need much support because everything turned out well, but they were always checking in on me.

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Elene went on exchange to the USA

10 months in America: What I learned, experienced, and loved.

Hi, my name is Elene, and I spent my exchange year 2024/2025 in the USA. I was there for 10 months and experienced a full school year at an american high school.

My exchange organization was STS, and i was very satisfied. Everything was super well organized, and the staff were always friendly and helpful. Whenever I felt worried or homesick, they took me seriously and truly supported me. I always felt well taken care of and never alone.

Why did I want to do an exchange year?

My older brother did one himself and often talked enthusiastically about it. That really made me curios and I absolutely wanted to have those kinds of experiences myself.

I chose to go to the USA

I chose the USA because I already knew and liked the country. I had been to the USA a few times as a child with my family on vacation, and I already found the country fascinating back then. But this time, I didn’t just want to go on vacation. I wanted to really get to know what everyday life is like there. I wanted to go to school, live with a host family, meet new people, and truly learn the language. And of course, I also had that little dream of the classic American high school life, just like in the movies with football games, homecoming, clubs, and maybe even cheerleading. I wanted to find out whether life there really is like in the shows or videos you see from other exchange students.

My high school

Now I can say a lot of things really were as cool as I had imagined, and some things were even better. My high school was in a small town, but the school itself was pretty large. There was a football field, two gyms, and some clubs and after- school activities. I joined Track & Field and even cheerleading! I didn’t know cheers at all, but everyone was super nice and helped me out. I immediately felt welcome.

I also thought it was really cool how much hands-on learnings you could do. There were classes like catering, baking, or other interesting classes. Those were classes we don’t really have in my home country. You could try out a lot and actually have fun while learning!

A special highlight

A special highlight was our cheerleading competition in March. We had to practice a lot, but we won first place! Sometimes I even had sports practice twice a day because l was doing Track at the same time. But it was so worth it. One morning we had to get up super early. We were all really tired. But during practice we listened to music, danced together, and had such a good vibe. That was one of those moments where I really felt like we were a family.

Not everything was always easy

Of course, not everything was always easy. I actually had to switch schools three times and had three different host families, because things didn’t work out quite right at the beginning. But my third family was truly perfect for me. They were so warm, open, and welcomed me like their own child. I’m so thankful I got to be with them. We went on trips together, played games in the evenings, cooked, or just went out to eat. We shared so many amazing moments together.

Making friends

Making friends wasn’t so easy at first, especially at my first school because it was huge and you could easily get lost in the crowd. But at my last school, in a smaller town, it was totally different. Lots of people already knew me and my name before l even arrived there. Many people came up to talk to me. Sure, I also had to approch people myself but I learned to do that over time. And that really helped me become more confident.

I learned so much about myself

I learned so much about myself during my exchange year. For example, that you sometimes just have to be brave, even if it feels weird at first. I used to be quite shy, but l became much more open over time. I learned that you’re also responsible for your own happiness. People don’t always come to you. You sometimes have to take the first step. And I’m really proud I did that.

The Americans

Something that surprised me was how open and helpful people in the USA often are. It’s easy to start conversations, even with people you don’t know. Many will just say something nice or offer to help, which I thought was really lovely. Another thing that was different was religion. Religion plays a bigger role for many people. In my town, a lot of people regularly went to church. That was a bit unfamiliar at first, but also interesting to experience. My host family took me with them, and it gave me a whole new perspective on daily life there.

It was truly worth every second

Looking back, I can only say that it was truly worth every second. I had so many new experiences, I grew as a person. I made new friends, and created memories l’ll never forget. Of course, there were tough moments too, but those were the ones that made me stronger.

My advice

My advice for anyone thinking about doing an exchange year is be open, say yes to everything, even if it feels unfamiliar or difficult. Don’t shut yourself off! Try to take in as much as you can. Sometimes you might feel out of place and, for sure, uncertain in the beginning, but that goes away. And try not to constantly think about home or compare everything to your home country, Just live the moment, the time will pass faster than you think.

It’s absolutely worth it! And yes, I’m super glad I chose STS. Without their help, support, and organization, my year wouldn’t have been nearly as amazing as it was.

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Manuela studied abroad in the USA

Hi! My name is Manuela, and I spent my exchange year in Texas from August 2024 to May 2025. Looking back, I can honestly say it was one of the most exciting and transformative experiences of my life.

Why I chose a High School year abroad

I chose to do a high school year abroad because I wanted to challenge myself, experience something completely new, and grow as a person. I’ve always been curious if high schools in America really feel like in the movies. And yes, they are like in the movies!

School life in the USA

School was definitely different from what I was used to! It took some time to get used to the system, but I loved how interactive and welcoming the environment was. I joined the swim, and water polo team. It was so much fun! I totally recommend future exchange students to join a sport because it’s a great way to make nice friendships and memories.

Making friends and overcoming challenges

At first, making friends was a little intimidating, especially with the language barrier and cultural differences. But once I got more comfortable, I found some amazing people who made me feel right at home.

My Host Family

My host family was a huge part of my journey. Living with them taught me so much, not just about America, but about family, kindness, and daily life from a whole new perspective.

What I learned

This exchange taught me how to step out of my comfort zone, embrace differences, and appreciate the little things.

The best moments

The best parts? The friendships, the food, the trips, the nice family moments, and those little “aha” moments where everything just clicks.

My advice

To anyone thinking about studying abroad: do it. Be open, be brave, and say yes to every opportunity. The only thing I would’ve done differently is stressed less at the beginning. Everything finds its place.

A life-changing experience

This exchange year will stay with me forever. I know it’s already influencing how I see the world and shaping the person I’m becoming.

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Esila was on an exchange year in the USA

My Exchange Year in the USA – A Journey I’ll Never Forget.

I’m nearing the end of my high school exchange year in the United States, and looking back, I can honestly say it’s been one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve ever had. By the time I return to Germany, I will have spent ten months here (exactly 300 Days!), and each month brought something different: challenges, growth, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Decision to do an exchange year

I had been learning English at school for a while, but my real interest began in sixth grade. Two years later, I started dreaming about doing an exchange year and mentioned it to my family when I was just 14. My parents were completely against the idea at first because they worried about me being so far from home, especially in the United States.

But I did not give up. With the support of my amazing teachers, who truly believed in me, I kept pushing for it by arranging meetings and having many conversations. Eventually, my parents agreed. That experience alone taught me the importance of determination and how valuable it is to have people who support your dreams.

Why STS?

When it came time to choose an organization, I went with STS because a friend had recommended them. I also discovered the Instagram account shortly after, where I could ask current exchange students questions and hear real experiences. I’m so glad I chose STS as right from the start, they were supportive, organized, and always helpful, whether we were meeting online or in person. All of that made me feel confident and prepared for the adventure ahead.

One of the best moments of my year was when I got the chance to take over the STS Instagram and answer questions from other students considering going abroad. Just a few months earlier, I had been the one asking those questions, so it felt special to come full circle. It was a fun and meaningful way to give back and share my journey.

Religious differences

As my application process became more serious, I started thinking more about what it would actually mean to live in the United States for a year. As a Muslim, I was nervous. I knew that most host families from the U.S. identify as Christian, and I hadn’t seen much representation of Muslim exchange students or host families. I was aware there could be cultural and religious differences, and I worried about the challenges that might come with that. But the moment I met my host family, all of that fear disappeared.

Host family

Living with a host family was a completely new experience for me, and I feel incredibly lucky. From the very beginning, my host family, siblings, even grandparents, welcomed me like one of their own. It was the first time any of us had done an exchange, so we were learning together, but they always made me feel comfortable and included.

Celebrations

With them, I got to celebrate my first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. All of those experiences were so much fun and helped me feel connected to American culture. Unlike many exchange students who feel especially homesick around Christmas, I simply enjoyed the experience. Ramadan was a different challenge. It was the first time I would ever be fasting completely on my own, which could have been lonely. But my host family showed incredible support by always making sure I had what I needed and getting me cute gifts. They even tried fasting with me!

That kind of thoughtfulness meant so much and taught me that I was looking at my exchange year in the wrong light. The Independence I was expecting didn’t mean doing everything alone but instead meant knowing when to ask for help and being grateful for the people who are there for you.

Of course, the cultural differences were noticeable—from food to holidays to how people communicate. But that made the experience exciting. I got to enjoy American high school events and explore new places with my host family, making every trip a special memory.

Was it always easy? No. But challenges like being far from my family, fasting alone, and making close friends taught me so much. I have become more independent, confident, and open-minded. I know this experience will shape my future in ways I am still discovering.

School

School in the U.S. was very different from what I was used to in Germany. Back home, school can feel pretty mundane. We have 14 mandatory subjects, barely any flexibility, and follow a strict weekly schedule. But here, students usually take six classes, many of which are fun electives.

My first day felt like walking into a Hollywood movie set: decorated lockers, American flags everywhere, boys playing football, and assemblies packed with games and school spirit. I loved how involved everyone was in school life through sports, clubs, and events, and I made sure to join in as much as I could.

I even started going by the name Eliza! She is like my American alter ego—more confident, bold, and not afraid to take on challenges. Taking on this new name felt like stepping into a braver version of myself who stands up for herself, speaks her mind, and embraces independence in a way I hadn’t before.

Making friends

Making friends was an interesting journey. I am very extroverted and had the advantage of a C1 level of English when I arrived, which made talking to people easier. In fact, most of my teachers did not even realize I was an exchange student until well into the semester. While talking to people came naturally, building close friendships outside of school took more time.

By joining the gymnastics team, I was able to build close friendships, which gave me a sense of belonging by introducing me to people I could really connect with.

Advice

To anyone thinking about doing a high school exchange: do it. It will not be perfect, and it will challenge you in ways you cannot expect. But it will open your heart, your mind, and your world. My advice is to be patient, be open, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, you’ll be surprised at what you’re capable of!

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Dirkje was on an exchange year in the USA

Hi! My name is Dirkje and in the summer of 2024 I left the Netherlands for a 10-month high school exchange in the USA. I got placed in Anderson, Indiana, a small city with 55,000 people. In these 10 months, this place has become my second home.

Why did I choose to do an exchange year?

I grew up watching American high school movies and always dreamed of experiencing it myself. When I found out through social media that it was possible to do this, I knew I wanted to do it. After graduating high school in the Netherlands, I didn’t feel like going to college right away. An exchange year would help me improve my English, explore a new culture, grow as a person, and make lifelong memories and friends from around the world.

Why STS?

I chose STS because all the information was clear and organized and it felt like a smaller and more personal organization. I’m so glad I chose STS because everything has been perfect. From the preparations to the welcome camp and even my local coordinator. STS organized regular events and activities with other STS exchange students in the area.

High school in the USA

Probably the biggest difference with the Netherlands is the school life. My large high school had multiple gyms, a theater, weight room, pool, and a lot of different sport fields. Teachers are closer with students, who often hangout in their classrooms. I was surprised on my first day when I realized we weren’t allowed to carry bags and we had to go through a metal detector. The classes were easier than I was used to and my school offered fun classes such as weight-lifting, cooking, theater, ceramics, swimming etc.

American high school sports were a very big part of the experience. I loved the football and basketball games, school spirit, dress-up days, prom and homecoming, yellow school buses and pep-rallies. I did soccer, swimming and tennis. I’d never done swimming and tennis before but I’m really glad I got out of my comfort zone and did it. They helped me stay busy since I had practice every day and multiple games a week. I met my closest friends because of these sports. I was also in a youth group that did community work and in the school student council.

Friends and host family

I feel like making friends has been pretty easy for me. Already on the first day people came up to me because they knew I was an exchange student. Americans are really friendly and interested. It took me a while to get really close friends but I ended up having a few very good close friends. In my last months I had a great friend groupand we hung out almost every weekend. Becoming friends with the other exchange students also helped me a lot, as you are all experiencing the same thing. I got placed with two host parents and another exchange student from Germany.

My host sister became one of my closest friends here and I’m so grateful to have had her in my host family. My host parents were very chill and relaxed people, I could do pretty much anything I wanted. I maybe wasn’t as close to them as I hoped, but we did a lot of fun things together. They took me on a cruise, we tried new foods, explored the state and did fun activities.

How it helped me grow as a person

My exchange year changed me a lot and I grew so much as a person. I definitely got more confident and independent. During the winter I was very homesick and felt alone sometimes, but I got through that and it made me enjoy the last months even more. Something that I didn’t expect was that you are always dependent on someone for rides. I learned a lot from all these challenges. It has made me so grateful for what I have back home, and it made me realise how much I love the people around me.

My exchange year has been the best experience of my life. I have so many memories and I just remember so many moments where I was truly so happy. America has seen the happiest version of me and I met so many new people. I’m thankful for all the places I got to see during my exchange, and I had a lot of classes I’d never taken before. I even found a new passion for journalism and broadcasting.

If someone would ask me if I’d recommend doing an exchange year, I would 100% say yes. It helps you grow as a person and has so many benefits for your future. You learn so much from it and have an experience you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It isn’t a year in a life, but a life in a year.

Favorite memory

My favorite memory has to be one during soccer season. My high school team hadn’t won a game in four years. One night, I scored three goals, and we ended up winning the game. I got interviewed for the newspaper and we even ended up winning more games that season. I got selected for a college showcase and got named first team All-Conference, All-Area and Top Team Player. It was really cool to experience since sports are such a big deal in America.

New York Welcome Camp

My other favorite memory was the New York Welcome Camp. It was amazing toexplore New York with the other exchange students. We got really close and I still talk to many of them. Since you are all experiencing the same thing, it was really great to talk about it together.

Advice for future exchange students

  • Step out of your comfort zone, say yes to everything, try new things and be outgoing and patient.
  • Things will be hard at times but in the end it will all be worth it.
  • It takes time to adjust: people are different, food is different and the culture is different.
  • Don’t compare your exchange year to others, people will only post the best parts on social media.
  • Communication is key, talk to your host family if something is bothering you.
  • Do sports or a club! This is by far the easiest way to meet new people and make friends.

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Lucas chose to study in USA

My exchange year was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I had so much fun and got to see and do so many cool things.

My favorite experiences

One of my favorite parts was all the traveling. I went on some awesome trips! I visited Dauphin Island in Alabama, which was super chill and beautiful. I also got to check out bigger cities like Saint Louis, where I visited the zoo and learned a bit about the city’s history—which was actually really interesting. One of the biggest highlights was going to the Grand Canyon—seeing it in real life was insane.

Trying loads of new things

Besides traveling, I tried out a ton of new things. I learned how to water ski, which was hard at first but really fun once I figured it out. I also played pickleball for the first time. I had never even heard of it before, but it ended up being a lot of fun. I started learning guitar too, which I really enjoyed and want to keep doing. And I even gave golf a shot, which I didn’t think I’d like that much, but it surprised me. It was actually super relaxing, and I ended up joining the school team!

Why USA?

I chose the United States because it’s featured prominently in movies. Initially, I was drawn to the idea of big schools and all that, but I ended up in a small town with a small school. Honestly, it turned out to be the best experience of my life. I got to meet so many people, and everyone knows each other. The teachers know you, and you know them — not just inside the school, but outside as well. You meet people you wouldn’t normally meet in a big city. Because of that, I even got to fly in a small airplane!

Why STS?

I picked STS because they had really good reviews and seemed super reliable. I also talked to my guidance counselor at my home school about different exchange programs, and she said she knew STS and had heard good things about them. After that, I started looking into it more and talked with my parents, and out of all the options, STS just felt like the right choice. It made me feel the most comfortable and excited about doing an exchange year.

My best tips!

  • This might sound silly, but do not pack too much stuff. You’ll end up buying and receiving a lot of clothes and other things while you’re here.
  • Bring vacuum bags to help fit more into your suitcase.
  • Make a photo album of your favorite places, things to do, experiences, and friends.
  • Don’t be scared about being the new kid—people are excited to hear about your country! Overall, my exchange year was full of new experiences, cool people, and memories I’ll never forget.

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Santiago spent a year abroad in Germany

Santiago from Mexico spent a school year in Germany.

Last school year I spent a whole exchange year in Germany with STS. I chose to go abroad because I wanted to experience a new culture, improve my language skills, and challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone. Germany seemed to be my perfect home for the year, and for sure it was. I wanted to learn the language, learn more about the culture and explore all it had to offer, and I was able to do all of that and more. At first, adapting to a new school and lifestyle was a bit overwhelming, mostly because of all the cultural shocks that I encountered, but over time, I found my rhythm and was able to get used to it. This is my quick story from the year in which I lived in Fulda, Germany.

My BIG host family

Since the moment I arrived at the airport and was welcomed by my host parents, I noticed such a warm feeling in them. They arrived with a balloon and with the family dog and with the most welcoming smile that I really appreciated from the beginning. Living with a host family was a unique experience. Oh, my surprise when I was received by a family of 6! I’m used to just having one younger brother around which without a doubt made this year a unique opportunity. I ended up getting used to their life, of course there was a couple of bumps in the way, but it was just part of the journey.

They taught me a lot about German culture and daily life. I got used to eating dinner at an unusual time for me or having coffee and cake with Oma und Opa almost every Sunday. My host family was the best I could’ve asked for. I really bonded with every one of them including family friends and close family. We travelled together to Greece during the autumn vacations and in the Austrian Alpes for a whole week in winter. That was my first-time skiing, so it was definitely a highlight to remember. I also got to enjoy football matches at some of the best stadiums in Germany and got to experience memorable days while hanging out with all of them.

My German school

My school in Fulda was quite different from what I was used to back home in Mexico. It was a surprise for me when I arrived in the Gymnasium and found out that all the way from 5th grade to 13th grade everyone was bunched up in the same building. I also noticed a much more serious vibe to it, in which the students are way more formal with the teachers. There was not much homework or group projects to do and that was all replaced by exams. Nevertheless, after a couple of weeks, I got the hang of it and used it as an opportunity to improve my German and learn new things in the different classes.

Surprisingly for me, I found DSP (which is theater class) the most interesting of all. I found it a great challenge but also a fun one to act using a completely different language (even though I am not good at all at it) and have fun memories with my classmates. At school is where I managed to find my first best friends, with whom I hung out during the entire school year. I really appreciate that they were brave and nice enough to speak with me during the first couple of days, and even though at the beginning they had to often speak in English, they had no problem with it. After my first weeks after I caught on the rhythm of the language, we got to talk about the same things completely in German!

Friends & life in Germany

Through my first friends in school, I was able to find all my other friends with whom I spent almost every weekend. (Shoutout to Luca, Bene, Nele and Aurora, which of course I still keep contact with and see them every opportunity I have). We went out to the city often after school or just hung out like Dorfkinder or at home. We would travel to Frankfurt or go out partying on the weekend. Life in Germany as a teenager is amazing. The amount of public transport there made it extremely easy to move around and really impacted me because I’m used to needing a car for everything in my home city. I got to experience sights that I hadn’t seen in my life, such as snow in the Christmas Markets or enjoying Fasching in the huge carnival which took place on the city. I also discovered new hobbies such as Bouldering which ended up being my favorite thing to do 3-4 afternoons a week.

STS trips and international friends

The two trips organized by STS to Hamburg and Berlin were a highlight itself. I met a bunch of students in the same situation as me and we had the chance to spend two weekends together, tell stories about our experiences, get to know each other and make wonderful memories. I’ve met great friends from Italy or Slovakia and some others from Mexico as well. I would love to take part in that again.

Looking back – and forward

Looking back, my exchange year was an unforgettable experience that helped me grow and mature so much. I became more independent and improved my German by a ton, which opened me doors to many opportunities. I am currently still living and studying in Germany, and I love it, and it’s all thanks to this exchange year in which I really had the chance to think about my future and to make sure that I took the best choice for myself. I’ve also visited my host family twice already since then and had once again one of the nicest Christmases that I can remember.

My recommendation

If anyone is considering to try it out, I would highly recommend it—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore new opportunities, meet amazing people, and learn more about yourself and about your passions and dreams.

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