The Petersson family hosts Philip from Germany

Going on a high school exchange means that you attend a local high school and live in a local host family in another country. The host family is central for the whole experience. And, in most cases, host families experience that hosting is extremely rewarding and the relationship between the host family and the student ends up being very tight and life long. Erika and Stefan Pettersson, together with their three children Clara 13, Alice 15, and Edit 17, are hosting Philip from Germany.

When oldest daughter Edit went to Texas as an exchange student, they got the idea to host an exchange student themselves. Host dad Stefan:

"Already after one week we had got a new view on Sweden and how we do things. One get a different perspective and learn a lot about oneself. There is a new dynamic in the family, but it hasn‘t been dramatic. Philip is blending in and we do the cooking, cleaning and the laundry together. Clara, who wants to learn German, thinks it's great and I finally got someone to go jogging with."

Congrats on your decision to host!

Philip - now a local celebrity

STS student Philip from Germany, on exchange in Vallda, Sweden, is now a celebraty since local newspaper Norra Halland featured an interview with him. Philip talks about his host family and school: „I have a wonderful host family with three siblings, two cats, two rabbits and an aquarium. I like that family life is a bit lively, in Germany I‘m the only child. At school, the teachers are enthusiastic and the students actually like going to school. I like the fact that you get your own computer. I was a bit nervous at first, but now it's fine.“ About the weather he says: „I'm looking forward to winter and I hope for snow. I would love to go skiing!"

We wish Philip good luck and a happy rest of exchange! Thanks for sharing!