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Liel went on exchange to the USA

Liel from Switzerland was on exchange in USA.

Where did you go on exchange and why?

I went to the USA, more specifically to Long Island, approximately 30 minutes by train from Manhattan, New York.

Why did you go on exchange?

I went on an exchange to improve my English, but also to learn about the culture and explore New York.

How was it to live with a host family?

It is definitely something completely different than living with your family back home. You have to communicate well to understand each other’s values. But when you get to know each other it’s like having a cool aunt or uncle.

How was school?

School was actually really easy compared to school in Switzerland. The American schools definitely have a wide variety of subjects and I really liked that. I could take Forensics, additional gym classes, and robotics for example.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

I hung out with friends a lot. We went to see the volleyball and basketball games at our school, and we went to the city together. I would also say that robotics became a new hobby of mine. Not my favorite one but still nice. I practiced robotics once a week at school and I helped my team to reach the New York State Finals.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

For me it was easy. I was very open to new things and that helped me and the people in my classes were also open which of course helped a lot.

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

A big challenge for me was that I had to change host families. The constellation in my first family just didn’t work and I was homesick for a little while because of that. But I got over my homesickness the more I got used to my second host family.

What was the best thing about your exchange?

I think for me it was my friends in school. We played volleyball together during the breaks and talked a lot about the cultural differences of our countries. We even plan that I’m going to visit them or they visit me. Those are definitely friends that will last for a long time.

What’s your best memory?

One is a family gathering with my host family. It was in spring and my host parents invited a lot of family members and we all ate dinner together. My host mom is a great cook! I enjoyed getting to know more people.

Another favorite memory is the Prom. My friends and I styled our hair and did our make-up together. And after that, one of my friends‘ mom rented a limousine for us. I was too stunned to speak because it was my first time going in one.

What are your main learnings?

Your mom and your dad aren’t around and you have to situate in a new environment. Sometimes it’s not easy but you have to do it. The moment you go on that plane there’s no way back and you have to make the most of your time abroad. You really learn how to become more independent.

Can you recommend going?

Well, if I’m really honest, I’m not sure if I would go again. Because I had a really hard time missing everything: My home, my family and also my boyfriend. But I heard other exchange students saying that it had been the best time of their lives. And I also had high ups but on the other side also low lows. So I can only recommend an exchange for other people if I get to know them. Otherwise I can’t judge about the situation.

Why should anyone go on exchange?

My exchange has given me so many new perspectives about life. You learn a new language and you train to be independent and open. You also find new friends, try new food, explore a new city, and so much more.

Your top advice? Anything you would have done differently?

My top advice is to just say yes to everything. Try that new food or go on a rollercoaster with your friends. Try to speak to as many people as you can and don’t just stay in your room.

Why did you choose STS?

A friend of mine also went on an exchange with STS and she recommended the organization. I also really liked the website and the different programs you can choose.

Were you happy with STS?

All in all yes, even if my first host family really was not a good pick for me.

What are you doing now?

I’m going to school in Switzerland and I’m on my way to get my Matura. I am back in my environment that I had before the exchange. It is crazy how far away my exchange feels when I think about it.

How will your exchange effect your future?

I learned a lot of things and I have friends in New York to visit!

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Lina went on high school exchange to the USA

Hey there! My name is Lina, I’m from Austria and I was on exchange in Gonzales, Louisiana, in the United States for 5 months, this first half of 2023!

What made you choose the USA for your exchange?

I wanted to go to an english-speaking country because I’ve always LOVED the language. And for me it was pretty much between Great Britain and the US – I don’t really remember why at that time I didn’t consider Australia and New Zealand, which now I think are amazing destinations too (which would make me go on exchange again if I could haha!). But still – my destination that I ended up with was perfect and meant to be, I know it.

Some more pros on the USA side (yes, I actually wrote a pro/con list): the New York welcome camp!, certain holidays that are just iconic in the US and the team spirit at schools <3 And for some reason I thought of it as “thrilling” to go so far away – which turned out to be scary and then so cool 😀 I ended up living in Louisiana, in the south of the US for 5 months <3

How was it living with a host family?

Incredibly amazing. I had three host siblings – two of which lived at home: My host sister Reagann (13) and my little host brother George (6). Then there were my host parents who were such sweet people and then I got so lucky that the grandparents lived right next to us! They now feel like a third pair of grandparents and whenever I felt like I needed somebody to talk to, I could just go across the porch and sit and talk with them <3 They had four dogs in total too (two pugs, a chihuahua and a type of wiener dog) which made living there veeeery funny. Oreo the cat was the one keeping me calm haha!

Anyways – I got so lucky with my family and they took me in from day 1 on as if I’d always been there. I was invited to do all the simple life things with them that made their life so special and they showed me around and took me to new places a lot too. It was so amazing because my city was only about an hour away from New Orleans and even though that city can be quite dangerous at certain times, I got to see a lot of awesome spots there thanks to my fam! An exchange is not a vacation, obviously, so I also tried helping wherever I could by doing the dishes, helping clean up the house, keeping my room clean, looking after my host brother and doing my own laundry. You have to see it that way: Going to another country as an exchange student is still a regular life, so every opportunity you get is so special because your family does that in addition to their life! Always remember to be grateful and show it to them <3

What was the biggest challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

There’s two of those: First, actually arriving in my host country. I was so excited to finally start my adventure that I never had much thought about the rest, the scary part. So on the plane overseas it really hit me and that first night in my new room, where my family in Austria was still asleep because of the time difference, I felt really alone. And that’s so normal!! Only that I didn’t see it coming. So you have to give yourself time <3 Take it slow, don’t rush yourself and let yourself slowly adjust to your new life – discover what’s gonna be part of this life for that time step by step. And just hang out with your host family as much as you can instead of staying in your room – because that’ll get you out of your comfort zone and you’ll feel at home before you know it!

The other thing was that sometimes, it really struck me how people handled situations differently. Not the ways I grew up with, not my parents’ ways etc… And I found myself getting annoyed by that sometimes which was weird, but reasonable if you think about it!

It’s a place on the other side of the WORLD – of course things are different. But in this place, it’s on you to be okay with it. You came to the country as a foreigner so it’s your responsibility to learn about it. Of course you can tell people in your host country about your ways and maybe it will be for the good and they’ll change something, but don’t expect it! Your host country’s way isn’t “weird”, it’s you who doesn’t know about these things 🙂

What is your favorite memory?

Wow… that’s a hard one. There’s been so many moments where I was just like “how is this even happening??” 🙂 I think my very favorite memory though was our weekend trip to Mississippi and Alabama – we went to see an airshow in Mississippi and then drove on to Alabama and caught the sunset at the beach – it was wonderful. I love the ocean so much. Our place where we stayed was a little camping place where we slept in mini cabins and ours was directly by a bay and in the morning I got up to see the sunrise and I saw dolphins! It was magical, really!

And another memory that I love was a show I got to go to with one of my best friends Reese – a dancing and singing show which was incredible! Felt out of this world…

But also all the little things <3 making coffee and bagels with my host brother in the mornings before the buses picked us up, French classes with my favorite teacher, all the sunrises I got to see from our house, the fun dinners together… so many beautiful memories that’ll stay forever. I can tell you one thing: Your exchange will go over faster than you can imagine. Every moment counts – the tiniest and biggest ones and they’re all so special. So be there for it all, never forget how blessed you are to do this and keep the smile on, because being an exchange student is such an incredible, unique opportunity!! <3

Do you have any advice for future exchange students?

Do NOT compare yourself to other exchange students!!! It’s really the worst thing you can do – because you might end up overlooking the special things of your exchange. Let’s be honest – most of us have that small dream of a California-fancy-somewhere-by-the-beach-placement. But there are SO many other states that are SO cool and SO interesting!! Not just states in the US – COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD! So before you start to compare your exchange experience to anybody else’s posts – look at yours and see the uniqueness in that. Your placement is yours for a reason, because you were meant to end up there! And social media just shows all the great parts, never forget that. I know that not comparing is very hard because I basically had the thoughts in the back of my head at all times, but we can all try to work over that!

And a second one: it might be really hard for us students, because we have this feeling “okay – we have 5 months/10 months, let’s do EVERYTHING we can!” And that’s so normal! But we also gotta realize that our host families are normal families like ours in our home country – families with lots of responsibilities, families that say no sometimes. Not families with superpowers (though sometimes I really had the feeling my host mum is a superwoman hahaha!). An exchange is life with all its parts and we get to be a part of it. So be thankful for every single thing your host family does for you – remember to be grateful and give back to them in any possible way! 🙂

And another thing: Try new things! You’ll be in this awesome new place with things different than in your home country – go for new things! I played tennis for my school which I’d NEVER played for and it turned out to be the best idea ever! I volunteered at an animal shelter a couple of times and I miss every single day, it was such a great experience! And I took theater in school – something I’d never thought of myself but then I loved it! Never be afraid of starting new things! I actually lost some hobbies that I had before and found out about so many more cool things that I love doing now <3

Would you recommend going on an exchange?

Yes! But you have to be sure about it – or at least believe in yourself that you can do it. And the only person that needs to know that is YOU! Don’t let yourself be pressured into something you don’t feel right about by somebody else, but also don’t let others limit you! You have to decide for yourself. Do I feel ready enough to do this? That is the most important question.

The bottom line is: Yes yes yes, a thousand times yes!! If you have the opportunity to do an exchange – take it! You’ll never have that chance again – high school goes by fast and this is your chance to do something that’ll help you so much to grow as a person, something you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

Why did you choose STS?

I found STS just by looking up organizations that technically do exchanges in the first place. I chose it simply because it looked so friendly, so open! All the destinations had their own individual, beautiful descriptions and when I asked my first questions I got help and support so fast and easy I just fell in love with the whole thing, honestly. I felt like I was in good hands and now that I did my exchange – I can only say that I had the right feeling! From the minute I decided to do this until I came home and even weeks afterwards, STS was always there and I could rely on something, somebody – always. If you’re reading this and you’re unsure: no need to keep looking – you’ve found your place 🙂

How do you think your exchange will affect your future?

Wow. There’s so many aspects of my exchange that changed my perspectives on life. I know for a fact that it will from now on always help me be independent and make decisions on my own, that I can handle things by myself if I only believe in it. But moreover, it made me realize that life holds so much in store for one: Having lived in the same country all my life, I always was like “well, we’ll see what this turns out to be…”, but now that I’ve been so far away from home and came back I realized how MUCH there’s out there!!! So many possibilities, opportunities, new people to meet, things to explore…

I never wanted to settle for just one thing in my life and I didn’t know if I could actually do that, but my exchange made me see that I can do anything that I dream of – if I only keep believing in myself and keep going. And I also think that no matter where I end up being in my life, I will always remember the little lessons of my exchange – cutting people some slack because you don’t know their whole story, being open because you can never judge something by your first impression… it’s in all those things that will from now on always affect my decisions and I am forever grateful that I took the step and did my exchange because it will ALWAYS be a part of me now <3 I could not be more grateful!

With lots of Love, Lina 😀

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Bo went on high school in the USA

Bo from the Netherlands went on exchange to Kansas in the USA.

“Dear future exchange student,

How wonderful that you are thinking about doing an exchange year. Please go for it! It’s such a unique experience and it will change your life forever. This amazing step out of your comfort zone might seem scary (which it isn’t) but it is worth it! I went to Kansas in the United States and had a great time. There will be hard times, but you will experience the best time of your life.

My best advice for future exchange students: Get involved! Participate in every school activity, join a sport, and join a club. These are the places where you have a great chance to make friends. Don’t be shy, you are the most interesting student at their high school!

What I completely underestimated was the reverse culture shock when returning home. You will find that you have grown, and things have changed in those 10 months. Keep that in mind. But above all, enjoy wherever you go, it will be a time to remember for life!”

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Gustav studied abroad in the USA

Swedish Gustav was on a high school exchange in the USA in 2010/2011.

“My high school exchange in the USA in 2010/2011 made me realize the importance of experiencing different cultures, the value of fluent English, and the incredible benefits of having a network of friends around the world. An exchange program truly opens up nu-merous doors and has shaped my life in countless ways! Since my exchange, I have spent 8 out of 12 years abroad, something I know I wouldn’t have done otherwise.

After my exchange, I quickly started missing the international lifestyle: having friends from different countries, being influenced by diverse cultures, and experiencing new things. I soon saved up enough for a trip to Singapore to visit my cousins who lived there. Shortly after, I went to New Zealand to surf and explore the country for 3 months. But guess what? I ended up staying for three years! After traveling in Southeast Asia, I found myself in England, fell in love with a girl, and now I have been living in London for 4 years.

My exchange year was one of the best years of my life. If I hadn’t taken the leap and gone on a high school exchange in 2010, my life would have looked very different. My advice? Don’t see “missing” a year at home as a barrier to going abroad – it is so incredibly worth it!”

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Emilia was on an exchange year in Canada

Emilia from Austria went on exchange to Vancouver, Canada.

Why Canada and Vancouver?

Because it is the “bigger version of my hometown in Austria” – seas, lakes, mountains, and city combined. The number of activities offered there is incredible: skiing, swimming, beach volleyball, hiking, and exploring various food and shopping spots. It was the optimal place for me to get out of my comfort zone and improve my English, although that was definitely not the biggest motivation.

How was it to live with a host family?

In the beginning, I had some troubles with my host family, but that got solved in a matter of weeks. I got to live with a wonderful, caring family. At first, it seems hard to incorporate yourself into a new household, but it is definitely worth it. You build lifelong connections there.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

After school, I always went out with friends and explored different districts in Vancouver. I also joined a volleyball club and got to go to many tournaments out of Vancouver. Joining this club and being part of this amazing, motivated team, was one of the best opportunities I got there.

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

At first, it is kind of hard to build social relationships, but it develops. You just have to take your time and “trust the process”. My biggest challenge was the host family, but as said, that was solved with the help of my local coordinator.

What’s your best memory?

The absolutely best moments were when I joined a trip to the Rocky Mountains with multiple other Internationals. We got to explore all the touristy beautiful spots and I met people there, who became (in four days!) as close to me as if I had known them for a lifetime.

Can you recommend going?

My life turned upside down for a moment. Stepping out of my comfort zone was required. But if I could do it, you can do it as well! If you have the opportunity and support from your parents, go!

Just a tip, if you go, never forget to appreciate it. It’s an experience not many get the chance to do.

Can you recommend an exchange in Canada?

Yes! Especially if you like nature and skiing. People say the nature of Canada is amazing… they couldn’t be more right. And, with endless forests and mountains, skiing was one of the most amazing activities there.

Your top advice?

Although you learn a lot about new people, a new way of life, and obviously a new language, it is crucial to understand that the most significant learning is your ability to adapt to others. Nothing happens by itself; it is your responsibility to make the exchange an unforgettable part of your life. You cannot expect others to make it that way. Do not let the months pass by, but still, giving yourself time is significant, as it is an immense challenge.

Why did you choose STS?

I chose STS as it is a company that has been around for decades and has therefore much experience. Next, they offered a lot of different countries, which is nice at first, if you have no idea where to go yet. From Costa Rica to the USA and Australia you can find everything.

Were you happy with STS?

As for STS, I can gladly say that choosing this organization was totally worth every euro. From the preparation days in my home country to the welcome camp and the local support in my host country, everything always worked out well.

What are your main learnings?

Although I have been quite an outgoing person before coming here, I can still say that it made me even more extroverted and open to new things. However, it also broadened my horizon as I have experienced the North American way of life which differs immensely from the European one.

How will your exchange affect your future?

I will return with an open mind. With a feeling that the rest of the world is waiting for me to be explored. That this was just the beginning, the grand opening.

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Vittoria was on high school exchange in Germany

Vittoria from Italy spent her exchange in Germany.

Where did you go?

I spent 11 months in Starnberg, a small town 30 minutes from Munich in Bavaria. This experience was the best in my life so far.

Why Germany?

I attend a linguistic high school and when I chose Germany, I had already been studying German for three years. I wasn’t very good at German; I didn’t like it at all. So, I thought the best way to overcome this obstacle was just to go there and improve the language.

How was it to live with a host family?

My experience with the host family was special. In fact, I had two host families. After the first three months together, my first host family and I realized that it was not the right match. Within two weeks STS managed to find me a second host family: the best family I have ever met! I had so many new experiences with them. I went skiing for the first time in my life, they showed me around Munich and many other places in Germany. Living in a family that is not your own can be difficult at the beginning, but with time you get to know each other and establish a real relationship of trust and affection. I am now on very good terms with both families and even went to visit them after my year abroad.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

Like my host family, my friends were also a key part of this year abroad. I had no particular problems making friends; I am a very outgoing person, always open to new friendships. I was also lucky because the people I met were very friendly from the start. They helped me to integrate at school and especially during lessons, they really encouraged me to speak German and learn this language that had always been terrible for me.

How was school?

The system is very different from what I am used to in Italy. It was a super-organized school. It gave me the opportunity to do so many activities: different sports, language courses, practical workshops in journalism, photography, art, math, and geography, the opportunity to perform at the end-of-year concert by taking part in singing and music lessons, and so much more! I took part in the journalism course and the photography course, and I also took part in volleyball and dance lessons.

What’s your best memory?

If I had to talk about the best memories of my year abroad, I would have to make a very long list. I could talk about the school trip to Berlin with my class, the holiday in Berlin with my host family, or the STS camp in Paris. One of the moments that has stayed in my heart the most was my 18th birthday. I was a bit sad because in Italy it is a very important celebration, and I missed my friends and especially my family. But thanks to my friends and my fantastic host family, I had the birthday party I had always wanted with the people I cared about most.

How will your exchange affect your future?

Thanks to this year abroad, I rediscovered myself and understood what I want to do in my future. When I got back from Germany, I started my last year of high school, I took the B1 and B2 German language certificates with the Goethe Institute, and in less than two months I will graduate. In September I will return to Germany, where I will spend a year as an Au Pair. In the meantime, I will study for the C1 German certificate which will help me to get into the university I would like to attend in Munich. I am super determined to reach this goal and if I have reached this point now, it is mainly thanks to my family and all the staff of STS who have made my biggest dream come true and have always supported me.

Your top advice?

  1. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so do it! Don’t be afraid, take that plane and chase your dream. It will make you grow; you will become more mature and responsible, learn to live and respect habits and traditions different from yours, get a second family, and make lots of new friends. I am now in love with Germany and miss it more and more every day since I left.
  2. I highly recommend future exchange students take an active part in school activities, especially if school performance can’t be high due to language difficulties. Participation and interest will definitely be appreciated and rewarded!
  3. Don’t see the end of your exchange year as a sad thing, but rather treasure this experience which will certainly open up many opportunities for you in the future!

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Jenny chose to study in Costa Rica

Jenny from Norway went on exchange to Costa Rica. We asked her about her experience.

Why did you go on exchange?

I have always wanted to go on an exchange, it started when I was little. My sisters told me about their exchanges and experiences traveling the world. My dream has always been to travel, and an exchange year is the perfect way to do that. Also, it gave me the opportunity to see what high school is like in another country and how different lives other teenagers have. An exchange year taught me about the world in a different way than sitting on the school bench in Norway.

Where did you go and why?

I went to Costa Rica because I wanted to learn Spanish, because of the beautiful nature, and because the culture is so different from my home country (Norway).

How was it to live with a host family?

My host family was very big and gave me a warm welcome. I still have contact with them and we are planning for me to visit them. Of course, we had our disagreements due to the big cultural differences, but generally, things went well, and I am very grateful that I had this host family.

How was school?

School was a lot of fun! My school had a lot of animals, everything from crocodiles to raccoons. I was put in the best class ever, and my classmates became my best friends. Everyone was very welcoming and inclusive, and I learned a lot of my Spanish in school. I went to public school, and the education level was not very high, but I learned a lot of Spanish, a lot about the country, and about the people who live there.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

I tried a lot of activities in my spare time, such as swimming and Tae Bo. I also helped my host parents take care of the children and spent a lot of time with the family. Sometimes I went to my friend’s house to study, since we were almost neighbors.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

For me, it was very easy to make friends. I was lucky to come to a great class, and my classmates were very inclusive. It was a little difficult to make deep connections, because of the language barrier. But, things got easier after a few months and I never had any real problems making friends.

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

The biggest challenge for me was the language, but little by little I learned Spanish. My host family and friends did not know English, which “forced” me to learn the language, because there was no other option. I am very proud to have learned the language in 10 months, and now my Spanish is better than my English.

What was the best thing about your exchange year?

The best thing about my exchange year was growing as a person and learning about the world in a new way.

What’s your best memory?

My best memory was my first trip with the other exchange students. We went to Ostional in Guanacaste, with is one of the prettiest parts of the country. We woke up at 4 am to see the baby turtles go into the sea. It was the best trip I have ever had.

What are your main learnings?

My main learnings are the language, and that people are different and that is okay. It could be difficult to discuss with people, especially the older generation, which tends to be more traditional and does not want to hear other opinions. I learned that it’s not necessary to discuss with everyone, that not everyone wants to see your point of view, and that it is okay.

Can you recommend going?

Yes definitely. An exchange is great for almost everyone, but I recommend Costa Rica for people who are patient and careful. Costa Rica is a beautiful country, but it is extremely important to be careful and follow safety precautions. Also, people might have very different opinions than you, and the cultural differences can be very big.

Why should anyone go on exchange?

An exchange helps you gain a better understanding of the world, it shows you beautiful places, and you will meet great people. You learn about the world, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

Any advice?

Listen to your host family and their advice. They know the country and what is safe and what is not

How will your exchange affect your future?

Well, I just came back from my 2 months Erasmus exchange to Spain. I don’t think that would have happened without my time in Costa Rica! Now I am in Norway for three months to do my exams and graduate. After I graduate in June, I will go back to Costa Rica.

My exchange has made me mature as a person and gotten me in contact with so many people that I cannot wait to meet again. My exchange also gave me a sense of independence, and I feel a lot more confident.

Why did you choose STS?

I chose STS because they had a lot of countries to choose from, they were very kind about the Covid-19 situation and let me cancel and still get my money back, which other organizations did not let me do. I also got a very good impression of STS in my interview. Also my sister traveled with STS and had a good experience.

Were you happy with STS?

I was very happy with STS, so happy that now we are hosting an STS exchange student from Mexico.

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Cedric spent a year abroad in Canada

Cedric from Switzerland was on exchange in Canada.

Where did you go and why?

I went to Canada, mostly because my parents deemed it to be a safer alternative to the USA, where I originally wanted to go. I don’t regret going to Canada though. It’s very similar to the USA.

Why did you go on exchange?

Mostly because I wanted to experience more of what the world has to offer while still young, and also to improve my English.

How was it to live with a host family?

It was a pretty cool experience! If you’re close to your host family, it’s like living in a house with your best friends. I did miss my Swiss family though.

How was school?

School was very interesting. It’s way easier than in Switzerland since you get to create your own schedule according to your interests. The tests aren’t as hard and you have more free time, which allows you to explore the country and its culture.

What did you do in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

Since I lived pretty remote, I took up hiking. I would go on hour-long walks in nature. With friends, I went to the city a lot to go to the mall or to go out to eat.

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

Finding friends was very easy for me since I’m an extroverted person. Canadians are very friendly anyways, so approaching people and starting conversations often formed new friendships.

What was a big challenge for you? How did you conquer it?

A big challenge for me was living so remote. Nothing really was within walking distance. The city was only 30 minutes away by car, but since there was no public transport, I always had to have my friends, or my host family drive me. Since all of my friends were in grade 12, that was no problem because they all drove. But it was a bit of a challenge when I first arrived and hadn’t made many friends yet. Another challenge was the extremely cold weather. Sometimes the weather locked us in for days because the roads were so bad, they had to cancel school.

What was the best thing about your exchange?

The number one thing from my exchange year is all of the friends I made. I’m still in contact with them and am going to visit them this summer.

What’s your best memory?

My best memory is Canada Day, July 1st. It was the last night I spent in Canada, and I was with all of my friends and got to say goodbye to them. It was incredibly sad but also very beautiful since there were fireworks and generally a great atmosphere.

What are your main learnings?

Never say no to new experiences, and goodbyes don’t last forever.

Can you recommend going?

Yes absolutely!

Why should anyone go on exchange?

To experience more of what the world has to offer, and to learn foreign languages.

Your top advice?

  1. Don’t try to get a girlfriend, since it’s going to be over as soon as you leave, which is inevitable.
  2. Spend as much time as possible with your friends and host family.
  3. Get off your phone.

Why did you choose STS?

Because my friends recommended STS and they offered high school exchange in Canada.

Were you happy with STS?

Yes, very. All of my questions were always answered, and everything was handled professionally.

What are you doing now?

I’m still going to school in Switzerland and will graduate in the summer of 2024.

How will your exchange affect your future?

In a couple of ways. I’ve improved my English, which is really important for what I’d like to do in the future. I’ve also made some friends that I will probably keep for life. It has also made me a lot more mature since you don’t have your parents around all of the time.

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Amanda went on high school exchange to Australia

Amanda from Finland is on exchange in Australia.

How did you decide to go?

I remember writing a list of the pros and cons of doing an exchange year before I signed up for my first interview with STS. Making the decision about going or not felt life changing. But I came to the conclusion that the opportunities and positive things overweighed the negatives. Now I can confirm I was right and haven’t regretted my decision a single time since. I ended up going to the Sunshine Coast in Australia where I’m staying for 12 months. I didn’t have many expectations of how everything would turn out, but living on the Sunshine Coast has been better than I had ever imagined. I´m living my dream life!

How is Australia as an exchange destination?

It is the perfect location for those who want to live a real Australian beach life. Life never gets boring here, there are always new things to do and places to see. My favorite thing about Australia is for sure the laid-back lifestyle. I love waking up early during weekends to go for a walk, a surf, a morning swim, have an Australian brekkie, and go to a market for some shopping and yummy food. Life is slow and the fact that I see kangaroos on the streets feels like a dream. I have fallen in love with the Australian way of living and can’t wait to come back and travel around after I graduate high school back in Finland.

How is your everyday life?

My everyday life consists of getting dressed in a uniform for school and then a bikini in the afternoons when going to the beach. I spend most of my days with friends at the beach, having BBQs, going hiking, going on weekend day trips to beaches, waterfalls, or markets, and best of all, watching sunrises and sunsets as often as possible.

What’s your best memory so far?

It’s impossible to say one favorite memory! But one night I will never forget is a concert I went to with three of my friends. A couple of trips around Australia that my school organized for all international students have also been awesome.

What are your main learnings?

An exchange year makes you grow and changes your mindset on life in so many ways. It changes you a lot as a person and makes you become more independent. I used to be very focused on school, but living in Australia made me realize that school is just one part of life and that what actually matters is seeing new places, making memories, and spending time with people you love.

Are you happy with STS?

The STS staff has been very supportive throughout the whole process and was so helpful in deciding which area and school would be the best fit for me.

Any advice for someone thinking about going?

Sure:

  1. Anyone can do it!
    You don’t have to be very outgoing or know yourself perfectly.
  2. Don’t compare!
    Don’t compare yourself and your experience with previous exchange students.
    Everyone has a unique experience and whatever happens, it will change you as a person a lot, you will become more independent, and make memories and friends for life.
  3. Appreciate the small things!
    An exchange year will not be 100% perfect all the time. Appreciating and being grateful for all the small and positive things in the everyday life is very important.

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Eliza went on exchange to Sweden

Eliza from the Netherlands was on exchange in Sweden.

Why did you go on exchange?

I wanted an experience of my own, away from all the things I considered normal at home. I wanted to learn about new things and cultures.

What was it like to live with a host family?

My host family was amazing, we clicked from the beginning, and they took me out on so many adventures.

Was it hard or easy to make new friends?

Making friends was easy, it takes a little longer to get the Swedish people to open up, but once they do, they are the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

What did you learn during your time abroad?

I also learned how to speak Swedish and I learned about the Swedish and Sami cultures. The main things I learned were how to become more independent and confident.

What was the best thing about your exchange?

I would say that the best thing about my exchange year was getting to know so many other exchange students during the weekend activities that STS organized. I met people for two days and they felt like my best friends.

Your best memory?

My best memory is when an ex-exchange student my host family hosted, and her family came to visit during easter break. We spent a night at one of my host family’s cabins and went on a small trip to Norway.

Can you recommend going on an exchange?

Yes! It’s a great way to become more independent, learn about different people and cultures, learn a new language, and see the world in a different light than you’re used to at home.

Can you recommend going to Sweden?

Yes. I would recommend anyone who wants to learn a new language, and culture and likes a bit of cold weather to go. The long winters can be quite challenging, but all the snow activities we did during the weekends and the northern lights kept me motivated and happy.

Why did you choose to go with STS?

I chose STS because I got a good feeling when talking to them. They explained things very well, were very open to informing me about the exchange year and helped me through the application process. They were always quick to solve any problems that occurred and made my exchange go very smoothly. I am extremely happy that I chose STS.

What are your plans for the future?

I now consider studying abroad at a university, maybe in Sweden. My exchange year has affected my future a lot, before my exchange I would never have considered studying abroad at a university, but my exchange year gave me the confidence to do this.

Any tips for future exchange students?

  1. Start speaking the language as soon as possible. It’s so much fun and is way easier to learn while speaking!
  2. Take every chance you get to try new things. Choose a subject at school you wouldn’t be able to choose at home, join a club, try new sports and activities. You only have this chance once in your life.
  3. A food tip: eat as much ”köttbullar med lingonsylt” (meatballs with jam) as you can!

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Simon studied abroad on high school in the USA

Simon Hyberg from Sweden is on exchange in Louisiana, USA.

Why did you go on exchange?

It wasn’t really planned, I saw a brochure in my school, and it got me right away.

How is it to live with a host family?

I have a really good host family. They treat me as their own kid, and I see them as my family.

What are you doing in your spare time? Any new hobbies?

In my spare time, I mostly hang out with friends. We go bowling, to restaurants, fishing or just spend time together. I am so glad I got to try baseball. I learned so much about it and it’s very fun.

Has it been easy to get friends?

For me, it was easy to get friends. On the first days in school, there were many people who had questions. They turned out to be really easy to talk with and we shared a lot of interests.

What has been a big challenge for you?

“The hardest things to say in life are hello and goodbye”. So, at first, the culture shock was a big challenge for me because I could not really keep up with some of my hobbies and I had to get used to many things that were completely different to me.

And when the time comes for me to leave it’s going to be hard because I will leave a part of me behind just like that. It will be tough to say goodbye to things I will remember for the rest of my life. It feels like I have this new life and then everything will just be gone. Of course, I can call and text my friends, but it will not be the same as meeting them in person. And, I will for sure miss my family in America.

Going on an exchange is a rollercoaster. I have had my ups and downs like I would normally have, but now in a different place. A big challenge for me was that I really had to become independent.

What’s your best memory?

I have two things I have loved during my year. One of them was going to Tennessee where we visited Ruby falls, a waterfall inside a cave. That was really cool! The second was going to the Mexican gulf where we went fishing. It was so beautiful there; you could see the ocean from wherever you looked. I could picture myself moving there if it wasn’t for the hurricanes 😊.

What has been the best thing about your exchange?

My family and my friends whom I will stay in touch with even after the exchange.

What are your main learnings?

I have to say becoming independent. You must take care of a lot of things since you are not with your parents. But, that also made me develop as a person!

Can you recommend going on exchange?

I can absolutely recommend going on an exchange. But don’t expect it to be easy. Going on an exchange is an incredible experience, but it will also be a hard challenge.

For me this year will be one of the best years I had. I have developed as a person, and I will always have a second home that I can visit.

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Theo studied on high school in the USA

Theo from Sweden on exchange in Illinois, USA.

Why did you choose to go on exchange?

I chose to go for a couple of reasons. One being that I love traveling and seeing the world, another that I wanted my English to be more proficient. I chose to go to the USA to get the chance to play hockey and to experience the American high school spirit and school sports.

How was high school in the USA?

High school in the USA is just as much about clubs and sports as school itself. Extracurricular activities is a big thing. Joining those activities is great to make friends. A week after I arrived the hockey season started. I met a lot of new people and got a lot of new friends through hockey. If you are not a sports person, there are plenty of other clubs available. I really recommend Best Buddies, it is an amazing organization that I was a part of during my year.

What do you think about high school sports?

It was so much fun and exciting with the new teammates, coaches, and friends. High school sports is just something you must experience yourself to understand; student sections, rivalries, hard work, and lots of fun. I can only look back and say that everyone should get a chance to experience this, as a player and as a spectator.

How was it to live with a host family?

I think that one of the scariest things for everyone going on an exchange is to live with another family. Personally, the scariest thing for me was the first meeting with my family at the airport when arriving to the USA. But it went really well. My host family kept the conversation going and we really got to know each other during the 90-minute car ride to the house. After a month or two they started to feel like my own family.

My best advice for any future exchange student is to not overthink everything. Especially not living with a host family. Don’t worry – they want you there, they chose you.

What are your favorite memories?

To be honest, my entire exchange was one big, fantastic memory, and I really cherished everything that I got to experience. But here are some really nice memories:

  • My ice hockey team made it to the State Championship. We unfortunately fell in the final and therefore finished second in state but it was so much fun.
  • I appeared in the all-star game. I loved the all-star game because I got to know the people I had seen as opponents and rivals for an entire season. We now shared things about the season with each other from our different perspectives.
  • Being part of the “Best Buddies” organization. The organization helps people with special needs during their education. We helped them improve their mobility, strength, and endurance. My “Best Buddies” will be with me for the rest of my life. I have learned so many new things from them and more importantly, I have gotten a bunch of new friends.

Why did you choose to go with STS?

I chose STS because my first impression was that they did not just want to “sell” me an exchange year. They wanted me to be ready and to think things through before I took a decision. That is also why I would recommend STS, they are not like any exchange company that just wants to earn money, they want to make sure you get an unforgettable experience.

Any advice to future students?

I am truly grateful for everything I have experienced and everyone I have gotten to know. Everyone that gets the chance to experience a year abroad should take it! If you do, my absolute best advice is to be open minded and try to not have too many expectations. My year was not like any of my expectations, but it was still the best year of my life!”

What are you doing next?

I will finish my high school education in Sweden, and in a couple of years I am hopefully in college studying psychology and/or law.

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