I am truly grateful

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.