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.

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