Gosia studied on high school in the USA

Gosia from Poland went on an exchange to the USA.

I was doing my exchange program in American Fork, Utah. I was living there for 10 months, and I can say with full confidence that these were the best 10 months of my life.

Why did you decide to go on an exchange?

I made decision to go to because I wanted to be more fluent in English, make friends with people from different cultures, experience different education system and just grow as a person. I chose the US because I grew up watching American movies and series with all the cool high schoolers that were living their best lives and back then being one of them was one of my biggest dreams. When I only got the opportunity to go on an exchange year, I knew exactly that the US is the place where I want to go.

Dealing with nerves

I remember how worried I was in the plane flying to Utah. I was scared that I won’t find any friends or won’t get together with my host family. It turned out to be necessary cause I got the best host family I could ever wish for, and I made friends my very first day of school.

Living with a host family

Life with my host family was so much different than my life back in Poland. Before my exchange year I had only one older brother but now I have one brother and three American little sisters, and I love them the most in the whole world. It was never quiet and with three of them there was always something to do inside (and outside) the house. My host parents are the most amazing people I know. From the very beginning I knew they will be my biggest support. I could tell them absolutely everything and I always felt heard and understood. I feel like my host family became my real family. With them every memory was core. I love them.

Advice for future exchange students

One of my biggest pieces of advice is to be outgoing and patient. Not everything will go the way you think it will and that's okay. People are different, food is different, culture is different. You must take some time to understand it and adjust. There will be lots of hard moments that you have to overcome but if you’re friendly and open to get to know people everything will turn out just fine. I can promise that doing an exchange program is the greatest experience that will show you so many opportunities for the future cause studying abroad is not only teaching you the language but how to work with people, how to react in stressful situations and so much more.

I wouldn't change anything about my exchange year. I’ve learned a lot and if only someone can do it I will 100% recommend it. As I said before, exchange year was my best 10 months of my life and I wish i could do it one more time.

Find out more

• Read more student stories from the USA
• Read more about a high school exchange in the USA
• See all our high school exchange destinations

Laryssa war Gastschülerin in den USA

Laryssa aus Österreich war zum Austausch in Nebraska, USA

Im Sommer 2022 begann mein Austauschjahr, das 10 Monate dauerte, was bedeutet, dass ich ein ganzes Schuljahr im Ausland verbracht habe. Ursprünglich wollte ich in einem warmen Bundesstaat in Küstennähe bleiben, wie Kalifornien oder Florida, aber leider gab es keine verfügbaren Gastfamilien, die mit meinen Interessen und Erwartungen übereinstimmten. Dies könnte mit Gründen zusammenhängen, die mit der Pandemie verbunden sind, da sie viele Haushalte in den USA betroffen hat. Daher suchte STS nach einer geeigneten Gastfamilie im ganzen Land. Ich erfuhr erst zwei Wochen vor meiner Abreise von meiner Platzierung. Also sei nicht ungeduldig und vertraue dem Prozess, die Organisation wird sehr wahrscheinlich einen passenden Ort für dich finden.

Urteile nicht im Voraus

Schlussendlich lebte ich in Lincoln, Nebraska, einer Universitätsstadt mit etwa 300.000 Einwohnern im Mittleren Westen der USA. Zuerst war ich nicht allzu begeistert davon, in einem Bundesstaat zu leben, in dem es mehr Kühe und Schafe als Menschen gibt (besonders wenn ich an meine Heimatstadt Wien gewohnt bin), aber ich wusste, dass dies ein vorübergehendes Abenteuer war und ich keine Vorurteile haben sollte, bevor ich meine Heimatstadt überhaupt verlassen hatte. Dies ist eine der wichtigsten Lektionen, die ich im Ausland gelernt habe: Beurteile eine Situation oder eine Person nicht, bevor du keine Interaktion hattest oder eigene Erfahrungen gemacht hast.

Raus aus der Komfortzone

Ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt für ein erfolgreiches Austauschjahr ist es, aus seiner Komfortzone herauszutreten und "ja" zu neuen Dingen, neuen Orten, neuen Lebensmitteln, neuen Ideen, neuen Menschen usw. zu sagen. Du kannst dein Leben nur in vollen Zügen genießen, wenn du dich mit dem Gefühl des Unbehagens vertraut machst.

Selbständigkeit finden

Die dritte Lektion, die ich gelernt habe, ist, dass ich mein bester Begleiter bin. Natürlich war ich ständig von Menschen umgeben wie meinen Gasteltern, Gastgeschwistern, Freunden und Lehrern, aber niemand konnte meine Situation oder meine Gefühle so gut verstehen wie ich. Es ist nichts falsch daran, alleine Frozen Yogurt zu probieren oder alleine zu einem Football-Spiel zu gehen. Ich fing an, meine eigene Gesellschaft in diesen 10 Monaten zu genießen, und ich schaffe es immer noch, mich zu unterhalten, wenn niemand da ist. Meiner Meinung nach ist das ein großer Schritt in Richtung Unabhängigkeit.

Living the American Dream

Wie war das Leben in den Vereinigten Staaten? Es ist offensichtlich nicht so glamourös, wie es im Fernsehen gezeigt wird, aber es kommt nah dran. Die Gebäude und Wohnviertel sehen genauso aus wie in den Filmen, es gibt riesige Einkaufszentren mit allen möglichen Geschäften und Marken, die wir (leider) nicht in Europa haben, die Schulgelände sind riesig und umfassen ein Schwimmbad, mehrere Fitnessstudios, einen Raum zum Gewichtheben, eine Laufbahn, ein Footballfeld, einen Basketball- und Tennisplatz, einen riesigen Parkplatz und viele Stockwerke mit verschiedenen Klassenzimmern. Die Schulen boten auch eine Vielzahl von Freizeitaktivitäten an, wie Sport, Theaterclub, Matheclub, Debattierclub usw.

Die High School

Ich garantiere dir, dass du etwas finden wirst, das deinen Interessen entspricht. Und wenn nicht, solltest du nicht zögern, neue Dinge auszuprobieren. Mein größtes Ziel war es, so viele neue Dinge wie möglich auszuprobieren, also habe ich mich für Sportclubs angemeldet. Während dieser 10 Monate war ich Teil des Softballteams, des Mädchen-Basketballteams und des Leichtathletikteams. Ich besuchte auch den Matheclub, den Programmierclub, den Podcast Club, die Jugendkirche und den Feminist-For-Change-Club. Diese Freizeitaktivitäten waren nicht nur großartig, um neue Erfahrungen zu sammeln, sondern auch, um Leute kennenzulernen und neue Freunde zu finden. Bis heute stehe ich noch mit meinen engsten Freunden aus den Vereinigten Staaten in Kontakt.

Aufbau von Bindungen mit der Gastfamilie

Ich habe auch regelmäßigen Kontakt zu meiner Gastfamilie, die aus meinen Gasteltern, meinen beiden jüngeren Gastbrüdern und einem Hund besteht. Diese Menschen haben mein Austauschjahr unvergesslich gemacht, da wir unzählige Momente voller Freude und Gelächter hatten. STS hat einen wirklich guten Job gemacht, uns zusammenzubringen, weil wir die gleichen Interessen und gemeinsame Hobbys wie Reisen, Sport treiben, Shows ansehen, einkaufen und Bücher lesen hatten. Mein Gastvater hatte eine große Sammlung von Brettspielen, also haben wir jeden Tag ein anderes Spiel gespielt. Meine Gastmutter liebte Sport, also sind wir zusammen joggen gegangen und haben Fußball-, Basketball-, Eishockey- und Baseballspiele besucht. Meine Gastbrüder haben es genossen, auf ihrer Nintendo Switch zu spielen, also haben wir das zusammen gemacht. Ich hatte Glück, dass sie Spaß daran hatten, mir die amerikanische Kultur näherzubringen, indem wir in verschiedene Bundesstaaten reisten, in einheimische Geschäfte gingen oder zusammen neue Lebensmittel ausprobierten. Wir sind als Familie zusammengewachsen, und ich weiß, dass sie mein zweites Zuhause sind. Diesen Sommer kommen sie mich sogar in Wien besuchen und ich kann es kaum erwarten, ihnen meine Lieblingsplätze und die österreichische Kultur zu zeigen.

Exploring America

Ich habe keine spezifische Erinnerung, die ich als die beste betrachte, da es viele Momente gibt, an die ich mich für immer erinnern werde. Zum Beispiel haben meine Gasteltern mich auf einen Roadtrip nach Texas mitgenommen, der sehr anders als da vorige Reisen war, aber sehr viel Spaß gemacht hat. Kurz nach Thanksgiving beschlossen wir, für ein paar Tage nach Chicago zu fahren und die coolsten Hotspots anzuschauen. Im Dezember, als wir in Lincoln -23°C hatten, flog meine Gastmutter mit mir nach Los Angeles, und wir besuchten alle bekannten Sehenswürdigkeiten und hatten eine tolle Zeit zusammen. Während der Frühlingsferien machten wir einen Roadtrip zu den berühmtesten und schönsten Nationalparks in einem Campingbus. Meine Freunde und ich haben auch großartige Erinnerungen geschaffen, wie zum Beispiel mit dem Auto durch die Stadt zu fahren und dabei laute Musik zu hören, den Staffellauf zu gewinnen oder Übernachtungen zu haben. Um ehrlich zu sein, hatte jeder Tag in den Vereinigten Staaten etwas, das ihn einzigartig und besonders machte.

Nicht nur von positiven Aspekten

Aber mein Aufenthalt war nicht nur von positiven Aspekten geprägt: Ich musste nach dem ersten Semester die Schule wechseln, weil ich mich an meiner ersten Schule nicht sicher fühlte. Leider sind Gewalt und Drogenmissbrauch in amerikanischen Highschools häufige Probleme. Ich habe STS über meine Probleme informiert, und die örtliche Koordinatorin hat sofort versucht, eine Lösung zu finden, die mir helfen würde, meine Situation zu verbessern. Außerdem war es schwer, echte Freunde zu finden, die sich in ihrer Freizeit mit mir treffen würden. Die Menschen im Mittleren Westen gelten als sehr offen und gastfreundlich, was sie sicherlich sind, aber sie sind auch oberflächlich, und es fühlte sich an, als hätte jeder bereits seine festen Freundeskreise. Nachdem ich mit vielen meiner Mitschüler gesprochen hatte, fand ich schließlich eine Gruppe von Mädchen, die mich willkommen hießen und ständig Zeit mit mir verbrachten. Also hab keine Angst, wenn du Probleme hast, spreche sie an und rede mit so vielen Menschen wie möglich!

Ich kann Austausch empfehlen

Ich kann auf jeden Fall einen Austausch empfehlen, da er mir nicht nur geholfen hat, meine Englischkenntnisse zu verbessern und die amerikanische Kultur kennenzulernen, sondern mich auch zu einer unabhängigen Person gemacht hat und mir viele Lektionen beigebracht hat, die für meine Zukunft von Vorteil sind. Trotz all der unglücklichen Dinge, die passiert sind, gab es keinen einzigen Tag, an dem ich bereut habe, meine Heimatstadt verlassen zu haben, um ins Ausland zu gehen. Ich denke immer noch gerne an all die lustigen Erinnerungen zurück, die ich geschaffen habe, an all die lebenslangen Beziehungen, die ich geknüpft habe, und an die Erfahrungen, die ich gemacht habe. Ein Austauschjahr ist nicht nur ein Jahr im Leben, es ist ein Leben in einem Jahr.

Erfahre mehr

• Lies mehr Schülergeschichten aus den USA
• Informiere dich über High School-Austausch in den USA
• Alle High School-Austauschländer

Two sisters studied abroad in the USA

Sisters Malin and Sophia from Sweden spent their exchange in different cities in Massachusetts, USA, one hour apart.

Malin (17) and Sophia (18) have always been very close. They have been best friends their entire lives, sharing experiences and leaning on one another for support. “We have always talked about everything,” shares Malin. “In Sweden, we went to the same school, worked at the same place, and knew each other’s lives very well.” Their most recent shared experience is participating in a high school exchange in the USA together.

One hour apart

Malin and Sophia chose to attend high schools in different cities in Massachusetts. “Our parents wanted us close to each other, but they also wanted us not too close so that we could have our own experiences,” says Sophia.

The sisters feel like being placed an hour apart is working out really well. “Having Sophia one hour from me makes it easy for us to talk because we are in the same time zone. We also can visit each other if we want to,” says Malin. They both stay busy with their friends and activities, but also look forward to catching up with each other on the phone about once a week. During their weekly calls, the sisters are able to share their experiences and support each other if they miss their family and friends back in Sweden.

Host family life

The sisters enjoy living with their respective host families and have fostered wonderful relationships with them. Malin’s host parents, Kristy and Adam, describe Malin as sassy, loving, athletic, energetic, confident, intelligent, and outgoing. They love her humor and witty banter. “One of my favorite things about Malin is that she made herself at home as soon as she arrived. There was no awkwardness. We have a great relationship with her, and it’s like she was made for our family” says Kristy. Adam shares, “Malin is fully entrenched in her exchange experience, and she has built a special relationship with every member of our household. She has made her own friends and takes advantage of every opportunity that comes her way!”

Sophia’s host parents, Patti and Gerry describe Sophia as outgoing, friendly, happy, and enthusiastic. “She is always very excited to try new things,” says Patti. “She has easily become part of our family. We have dinner together every night and talk about our day.”

Sophia and her host sister, Kiara, share all kinds of activities, including shopping, watching movies, and having dinner with friends. “Just like real siblings. They get along so well,” says Patti.

Cultural differences – USA vs Sweden

Being the new student at school and adapting to a new culture involves many challenges, which Malin and Sophia have been able to work through together. Sophia shares, “It is nice to have my sister going through things that I am experiencing at the same time. We understand each other and what we are going through because we can relate to those feelings. We can talk about how hard it is sometimes and how much fun we are having at the same time.” Malin and Sophia have also been able to share the new culture and school system. “We talk about how much fun we have, how it is like a dream, how much we like it and love all the differences as well as all the things we don’t have in Sweden”, Sophia shares. “We also talk about how we feel grateful that we are in the U.S. and get to experience things we only have seen in the movies… Sometimes I wish we could visit each other more, but we are both living two different lives. I feel like we both are trying to live as Americans and trying things with our friends.”

So far, during their time in the U.S., Malin and Sophia have noted several differences between living in the U.S. compared to Sweden. The key differences being American high school, cuisine, and the open and friendly culture. Malin reports, “The first thing I noticed here was that the food at school would never be served to us in Sweden – pizza, hamburgers, and chicken nuggets!” Malin continues, “Also, after every assignment, we get a grade. In Sweden, we only receive a grade at the end of the school year.”

About the American food Malin shares, “Outside of school, the differences are big also. Literally, when we buy food, the packages are much bigger than in Sweden. Everything is bigger!” Sophia agrees, “Yes, the food here is way unhealthier compared to Sweden, and the portions are huge.” Kristy says that Malin has enjoyed exploring the different foods in America. “Her favorite thing to put on everything is ketchup. She is always up for trying something new.” Adam adds, “Malin absolutely loves Dunkin Donuts which they don’t have in Sweden.”

Malin remarks how friendly Americans are, describing them as open and welcoming. “They always say, ‘Thank you’, and it’s so much easier to start a conversation with everyone. At school, in the hallway, people always say ‘Hi’ to me, even if I only had one conversation with them.” Sophia agrees. “People are definitely more open and nicer.”

“The American high schools are so fun!”

“The traditions at American schools are so fun! For example, Homecoming, Prom, school sports, senior night, school clubs, the yellow school buses; just to mention a few things.” Sophia agrees, “School has so many fun things to do throughout the year like Spirit Week, pep rallies, car painting day, Homecoming, and the Senior formal.” Sophia adds, “I like how school here allows you to join clubs and take classes that you are interested in. I took 3D Art and Video Production, and this semester I’m taking Robotics. These are classes that aren’t offered in Sweden, and they are so much fun!”

The exchange experience

Since they are in different host families, different schools, and expressing different interests, Sophia and Malin’s exchange years have been unique and exciting. Sophia has engaged in her community, met new friends, and tried new activities that are distinctly American. She shares that some of her favorite memories include football games, cheerleading, meeting new people, and making new friends.

Some other memorable experiences include when she traveled to New York with her host family, simply sharing dinners with her host family, watching hockey with her host dad, and enjoying movie days with her host sister. “I like so many things about the everyday life I have created here that I never would have done in Sweden. Joining cheerleading, a sport I had never done before, is so fun and very American. Doing apple picking with my friends and going to a drive-in movie was a new experience and felt like a dream. Visiting Boston with my friends and doing an American trick-or-treat. Celebrating Thanksgiving was a special experience – it was so much fun, and I ate so much!”. Patti says that Sophia joined Girl Scouts, which her host sister, Kiara, has been in for many years. “With scouting, Sophia has gone camping for the first time, attended a self-defense class, and will participate in selling the cookies at a booth… Also, we went with Kiara and friends to a paint-your-own-pottery shop. Sophia really enjoyed that first-time experience.” Patti continues to share that Sophia is really enjoying the American high school experiences she has had, recalling specifically spirit week (dressing up for the theme of the day), attending sporting events, participating in sports (cross country running and cheerleading), attending dances (homecoming and senior formal), and Friday night football games.

Sophia reflects on her exchange experience so far; “I like all the people I have met and the friendships I have made. The whole experience is something I can’t explain in words because just living in the U.S. compared to Sweden is a whole new experience. I have so much fun every day because I get to be on the other side of the world, live a different life, meet so many new people, see new cultures, and be a citizen in a new country and not just be here for vacation. I love everything about my exchange year so far, and I am so thankful for it!”

Malin gained a new confidence living in America and her athleticism and outgoing personality has thrived here. She explains how it has changed her significantly. “I have always been a confident and extroverted person. When I came to America, I felt so brave that I would be on my own. I feel like I have become even more independent. On those days when I don’t feel as confident, I think twice and realize that there is no time to waste in feeling that way. Sometimes, I must remind myself that I am living the high school teenage dream and remember all the fun things I have done and people I’ve met. One of my favorite things about America is school sports because it’s a really big thing. I enjoyed playing soccer at school, and I was very committed. We had practice almost every day after school and games 2-3 times a week. Playing soccer helped me make close friends here. Joining clubs is an easy and fun way to talk to new people at school!” Sophia was even able to attend one of Malin’s soccer games when she played near the town in which she is placed. Adam, Malin’s host dad, says, “After the game, they ran to each other and gave each other a big hug. They were so excited to see each other. Sophia even made a poster that she held at the game for Malin.”

What about the future?

Malin states that when she graduates from her school in Sweden, she would like to attend a college or university for six months in the U.S. “I haven’t decided where to go yet, but I’m looking at Florida or Texas as options. I would like to paint, and one of my dreams is to become an artist and have a studio. I also love to travel, and would love to explore more of the U.S.”

For Sophia, she would like to take a year off from school to work in Sweden and enjoy the ski season in winter. “My dream is to move to New York or another big city in the U.S. I don’t really know what the future holds for me, but I am so thankful for this year because I have learned so much about myself and am more comfortable about who I am. I have learned that I can do anything I want to if I put my mind to it.”

We wish Malin and Sophia bright futures ahead and hope that their special relationship as sisters and best friends remains solid throughout their life!

Find out more

• Read more student stories from the USA
• Read more about a high school exchange in the USA
• See all our high school exchange destinations

Petra was on an exchange year in the USA

Petra, 41, from The Netherlands is a former STS exchange student.

Here she shares her exchange story:

“When I was 17, I spent the school year of 2000-2001 as a high school exchange student in the small town of North Fond du Lac in Wisconsin, USA. After finishing high school in the Netherlands, I wasn't sure what college I wanted to attend. But at a fair, I got to know about STS. I applied and eventually got accepted for a high school year in the USA.

We were a group of about 20 students who took off from Amsterdam on August 18, 2000, to the USA. The last part of the journey, from Chicago to Milwaukee, I was on my own. When I reached my final destination, my host family welcomed me at the gate with a Dutch flag and a sign saying, "Welcome Petra". This was so lovely.

My amazing host family consisted of a mom and dad and two host siblings: a brother of 21 and a sister in the same age as me. We had a great start and formed a good relationship right away. They took me to family gatherings, dinners, shopping malls, movie theatres, and birthday celebrations.

Also, in school, I got along with most, if not all students. They wanted to get to know me, and I was interested in them. I hung out a lot with my sister and her friends, and I played volleyball during fall and soccer during spring.

My local coordinator Calla was always available if any of the exchange students needed her and would always try to find the best solutions to any problem, if there were any. I only saw her on good occasions and had a blast with her. Calla also took us, foreign exchange students, on awesome trips and taught us a lot about US culture.

I loved every second of my year in the USA and so it was quite hard to, on June 15, 2001, leave. I had built a life in Wisconsin and was so sad to leave everyone behind, not knowing if I would ever see them again.

But my host sister came to visit me that same summer and I visited them back in the summer of 2002. Even now, over 20 years later, we’re still in touch, and I've visited them many times for high school reunions (2006, 2011, 2016) and my host sister’s wedding in 2008. My host parents even visited me in the Netherlands in 2006 and my host sister and her husband came again in 2019. Also, some high school friends visited me, and I've shown them around the Netherlands which has been awesome.

After my exchange, I felt like I had gotten to know myself better as a person and like I was ready to take on the world. I have continued to travel, and I did an internship in Spain during my college years. Due to my improved English, I also made close friends in England, Hungary, and Spain.

My high school exchange is something I still cherish every day. During my time in in USA, I kept a diary, which I sometimes still read and laugh about all the adventures I had. Crazy to think it’s been so long; it feels like yesterday. The whole experience tought me a lot, I made a second family and friendships for life, and I had an adventure I’ll never forget. An experience that has benefited me ever since!

If you have the chance to do it, take it!

Find out more

• Read more student stories from the USA
• Read more about a high school exchange in the USA
• See all our high school exchange destinations

Selina was on high school exchange in the USA

Hello, my name is Selina, and I am from Germany. I spent my exchange year in Anchorage, Alaska.

Spending a year in the probably most unique state of the United States was an amazing experience. This unique destination stands out for its breathtaking natural beauty and the opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture. The idea of living in “The Last Frontier” excited me and I wanted to experience life in a place known for its rugged landscapes and adventurous spirit.

Why go on exchange

I chose to go on exchange to broaden my horizons, challenge myself, and gain a deeper understanding of a different way of life. Since I was a kid, it was always my dream to experience the American lifestyle. I believe that living abroad would not only enhance my personal growth but also provide me with experiences and memories.  Never would I have come to the idea that out of 50 states, I would end up in Alaska. Now I can proudly say there’s no other state I would want to spend my exchange year at.

My host family

Living with my host family was an incredible experience, they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like part of their family from day one. I had a host mom, a host dad, and two host sisters, the older one was a junior at college and lived in Arizona and the younger one was my age. We became close friends, and I am so grateful for her. My host family introduced me to typical Alaskan things and enriched my exchange experience in ways I'd never imagined. Popular activities are hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling. Since my host family lived close to “Flattop” which is a famous mountain, we went hiking a lot there but also skiing in “Alyeska”. My host dad is a pilot and took me flighting, it was one of my favorite experiences. With friends I went snowmobiling on a frozen lake, this was a really nice experience and so fun too! But the probably most Alaskan thing I did was dog sledding with my host family. Alaskans have the privilege of living among diverse wildlife including bears, moose, Eagles, whales, and seals. A common part of a typical day is seeing moose walking through your garden or crossing the street. The most magical thing in Alaska is, of course, the Northern Lights, also called “Aurora Borealis”.

School in Alaska

School in Alaska was both challenging and rewarding. I loved to experience the American high school spirit and discover a wide range of classes that I couldn't experience in my home country. I took classes like English, math, biology, jewelry, yoga, and seminar but there are a lot more fancy classes like cooking, pottery, or photography. Mostly I liked the sports activities and I first played tennis, then ice hockey which was my favorite, and in the end, softball. But also, the well-known “Prom” and “Homecoming” were awesome American high school experiences.

Making friends

I can really recommend joining a sports team, it helps connect with people. For me it was hard in the beginning to make friends since my school was big and nobody knew I was an exchange student, but doing sports helped me a lot. Also, we had in my school a “partners club” which helped students with disabilities, we ate lunch with them, went skiing and bowling with them, and raised a lot of money at ice jumping.

Alaskan climate

Another challenge I faced during my exchange was adjusting to the extreme weather conditions in Alaska, especially during the wintertime. However I got adjusted quickly, the proper winter gear is the key. I learned to appreciate the beauty of the winter landscape.

Choosing STS

I chose STS, because my cousin already went with STS and was happy with them. I was also extremely happy and grateful for their assistance throughout my exchange journey. They helped me in a difficult situation and made my exchange experience unforgettable.

Advice for future students

Anyone should go on exchange to gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, build lifelong connections, and develop invaluable life skills. It is an experience that will broaden your perspective and shape your future in ways you never imagined. My top advice for future exchange students is: It is not about the destination, it’s about the people. Embrace every moment, stay open to new experiences, and immerse yourself fully in the culture of your host country. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing about my exchange experience and I'm glad I took the risk of living one year on the other side of the world. Alaska has undoubtedly become one of the most enriching experiences of my life so far, with the opportunity to embrace myself in American culture, make lifelong friendships, and unveil new ideas that have profoundly shaped my perspective.

Find out more

• Read more student stories from the USA
• Read more about a high school exchange in the USA
• See all our high school exchange destinations

Michelle macht ihr Austauschjahr in den USA

Ich bin Michelle und komme aus den Niederlanden. Ich verbringe mein Austauschjahr in Amerika in einem Ort namens American Fork, Utah.

Das Leben bei einer Gastfamilie

Ich mag meine Gastfamilie sehr und habe durch sie viele tolle Erfahrungen in Amerika gemacht. Wir haben gemeinsame Interessen wie Fußball, Sport und Backen. Ich gehe zu vielen Fußballspielen meiner Gastschwestern und helfe meinem Gastvater beim Training seiner Fußballmannschaften.

Mit meiner Gastfamilie habe ich schon coole Sachen unternommen. Wir waren in den Bergen, bei einem College-Fußballspiel, in Tempeln in Utah, bei Weihnachtskonzerten und einer Weihnachtslichtshow.

Es ist definitiv anders, als ich es aus den Niederlanden gewohnt bin, denn ich habe zwei Geschwister und in Amerika habe ich fünf Gastgeschwister. In den Niederlanden bin ich die Jüngste, in Amerika die Älteste. Ich habe ein bisschen gebraucht, um mich daran zu gewöhnen, aber jetzt gefällt es mir sehr gut, und sie sind wie eine zweite Familie für mich.

High School in meinem Gastland

Die Schule, auf die ich gehe, ist größer als meine zu Hause. Deshalb war es in den ersten Wochen manchmal schwierig, meine Kurse zu finden. Ich habe ein paar gute Freunde in der Schule und auch andere Austauschschüler gefunden. Das hilft, weil ich mit ihnen über alles reden kann und sie es wahrscheinlich besser verstehen als Amerikaner. Jeden Monat treffen wir Austauschschüler uns mit amerikanischen Schülern in der Mittagspause und erzählen unsere Geschichten und das macht richtig Spaß.

Das erste American-Football-Spiel an meiner Schule war eine tolle Erfahrung. Und mir gefällt, dass die Lehrer alle sehr an mir interessiert sind und daran, was ich über Amerika und Utah denke. Das bin ich von Lehrern in den Niederlanden nicht gewohnt.

Thanksgiving

In den Niederlanden gibt es kein Thanksgiving, also war das eine neue Erfahrung für mich. Wir waren bei der Familie meiner Gastmutter und ich war überrascht, wie viele Leute dort waren, ungefähr 30. Es war das erste Mal, dass ich Truthahn gegessen habe, und es hat mir geschmeckt. Nach dem Essen haben wir Basketball gespielt, Sport wie Basketball oder Fußball ist nämlich typisch für Thanksgiving. Es gab eine Menge Kuchen – auch Kürbiskuchen. Ich wusste nicht einmal, wie Kürbis schmeckt, aber er war wirklich gut. Es war ein sehr lustiger Tag und es hat viel Spaß gemacht, Thanksgiving zu erleben.

Besondere Dinge, die ich in Amerika erlebt habe

Mit einem Freund, der auch Austauschschüler ist, war ich in Lagoon, einem Freizeitpark. Das war einer der besten Tage während meines Austauschs. Ich mochte vorher eigentlich keine Achterbahnen, aber ich bin in fast alles reingegangen und es war eine tolle Erfahrung.

Ich bin hier auch in ein Fußballteam eingetreten. Es ist eine Freizeitmannschaft, aber sie sind trotzdem ziemlich gut, und es hat mir wirklich gefallen, mit ihnen zu spielen, und ich freue mich schon darauf, im April eine weitere Saison zu spielen. Eine Sportmannschaft oder etwas Ähnliches ist eine tolle Chance, um Freunde zu finden und nach der Schule etwas zu tun, was Spaß macht.

Erfahre mehr

• Lies mehr Schülergeschichten aus den USA
• Informiere dich über High School-Austausch in den USA
• Alle High School-Austauschländer