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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.

Find out more

Eliza ging op uitwisseling naar Zweden

Eliza uit Nederland was op uitwisseling in Zweden.

Waarom ben je op uitwisseling gegaan?

Ik wilde een unieke ervaring, weg van alles wat ik thuis als normaal beschouwde. Ik wilde nieuwe dingen en culturen leren kennen.

Hoe was het om bij een gastgezin te wonen?

Mijn gastgezin was geweldig, het klikte vanaf het begin en ze namen me mee op verschillende avonturen.

Was het moeilijk of makkelijk om nieuwe vrienden te maken?

Vrienden maken was makkelijk, het duurt iets langer voordat de Zweedse mensen zich openstellen, maar als ze dat eenmaal doen, zijn het de aardigste mensen die je ooit zult ontmoeten.

Wat heb je geleerd tijdens je verblijf in het buitenland?

Ik heb Zweeds leren spreken en ik heb meer geleerd over de Zweedse en Sami cultuur. De belangrijkste dingen die ik heb geleerd zijn hoe ik zelfstandiger en zelfverzekerder kan worden.

Wat was het leukste aan je uitwisseling?

Ik zou zeggen dat het beste aan mijn uitwisselingsjaar was dat ik zoveel andere uitwisselingsstudenten heb leren kennen tijdens de weekendactiviteiten die STS organiseerde. Ik heb twee dagen lang mensen leren kennen en zij voelden als mijn beste vrienden.

Je beste herinnering?

Mijn beste herinnering is dat een ex-uitwisselingsstudent van mijn gastgezin en haar familie op bezoek kwamen tijdens de paasvakantie. We brachten een nacht door in een van de hutten van mijn gastgezin en maakten een kleine reis naar Noorwegen.

Kunt u een uitwisseling aanraden?

Ja! Het is een geweldige manier om zelfstandiger te worden, andere mensen en culturen te leren kennen, een nieuwe taal te leren en de wereld in een ander perspectief te zien dan je thuis gewend bent.

Kun je aanraden om naar Zweden te gaan?

Ja. Ik zou iedereen die een nieuwe taal en cultuur wil leren en van een beetje koud weer houdt aanraden om te gaan. De lange winters kunnen behoorlijk uitdagend zijn, maar alle sneeuwactiviteiten die we in het weekend deden en het noorderlicht hebben mij enthousiast en gelukkig gehouden.

Waarom heb je voor STS gekozen?

Ik heb voor STS gekozen omdat ik een goed gevoel kreeg toen ik met ze sprak. Ze legden dingen heel goed uit, stonden erg open om me te informeren over het uitwisselingsjaar en hielpen me door het aanvraagproces heen. Ze losten altijd snel eventuele problemen op en zorgden ervoor dat mijn uitwisseling heel soepel verliep. Ik ben ontzettend blij dat ik voor STS heb gekozen.

Wat zijn je plannen voor de toekomst?

Ik overweeg nu om in het buitenland aan een universiteit te gaan studeren, misschien in Zweden. Mijn uitwisselingsjaar heeft veel invloed gehad op mijn toekomst, voor mijn uitwisseling zou ik nooit hebben overwogen om in het buitenland aan een universiteit te gaan studeren, maar mijn uitwisselingsjaar heeft me het vertrouwen gegeven om dit wel te doen.

Heb je nog tips voor toekomstige uitwisselingsstudenten?

  1. Begin zo snel mogelijk met het spreken van de taal. Het is zo leuk en het is veel gemakkelijker om al pratend te leren!
  2. Benut elke kans die je krijgt om nieuwe dingen te proberen. Kies een vak op school dat je thuis niet kan kiezen, ga bij een club, probeer nieuwe sporten en activiteiten. Je krijgt deze kans maar één keer in je leven.
  3. Een eettip: eet zoveel "köttbullar med lingonsylt" (gehaktballetjes met jam) als je kunt!

Lees meer

Lees meer verhalen uit Zweden

Lees meer over een high school uitwisseling in Zweden

Bekijk al onze high school bestemmingen

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 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.

Theo studied on high school in the USA

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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Johan chose to study in Japan

Johan from Norway is on high school exchange in Tokyo, Japan. Here’s his story.

I was not prepared to gain such a deep understanding

I left Norway with a vague idea about what I was going to learn and experience. I had heard stories from other exchange students that you grow and make a lot of friends, but I was not prepared to gain such a deep understanding of the Japanese culture, the people, and myself. I have grown, learned, and achieved more these past 6 months than I have in 3 years at home. Up until this part of my journey, I have shared tons of amazing, good, bad, and sad memories with people that I will always remember. I have made lifelong friends; people I can now call a part of my family.

The Japanese have truly changed my way of thinking

When I first came to Japan, I promised myself to try to do things outside my comfort zone. Every day I leave the house to visit a new and different restaurant or a famous building, meet someone, or work some small jobs like teaching English, working on a grape farm, or helping at a Japanese festival. The Japanese have truly changed my way of thinking in a lot of different areas. Their thoughts on happiness, school, freedom, how to act toward others, and much more, are extremely fascinating and have completely changed me. It is of course not always easy living alone in a foreign country and I have gone through many trials. But with patience and support, I have pushed through it and grown because of it.

People in other cultures often have a different way of thinking than you do. My advice to future exchange students is to learn to understand what that way of thinking is, learn about people, about humans, and you will grow a lot.

I am so glad I was able to go on this exchange

If I traveled back in time and told myself two years ago that today I would be on exchange in Japan, an adventure of a lifetime, being able to speak Japanese, having amazing friends, having a dream that I am doing my best to achieve while feeling a deep sense of gratefulness and love for my family and friends, I would not believe what just came out of my mouth. I am so glad I was able to go on this exchange. This fascinating place on earth, with a culture, a way of thinking, and a language that is completely different from mine, has changed my life for the better. Thank you so much.

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Lucie was on high school exchange in the USA

Lucie Caste from France spent her exchange in Dallas/Fort Worth in Texas, USA. We asked her some questions about her experience.

How was it to live with a host family?

Living with my host family was a bit weird at first because they were very different from my family. But we learned to know each other and they became my second family. I spent amazing moments with them.

How was school?

School was very fun! I loved the school spirit, there were always some fun activities. The students were curious to learn about my culture, which led me to many friendships.

Any new hobbies?

It made me discover many new hobbies that I would never have tried at home such as theater, track and field, and dance!

Was it easy/hard to get friends?

At first, it was a little hard. I was talking to many people, but I felt like no one was my friend. But I understood that friendships take time, and I made lifelong friends.

What was a challenge for you?

A big challenge for me was to be able to travel alone and create a new life there. Before I left I was quite shy and scared to be alone in any situation. But going on an exchange year made me overcome my fears and I became a lot more independent

What was the best thing about your exchange year?

The best thing about my exchange year was definitely the encounters. I met amazing people who changed me forever and I think I did change their lives a little too. But also that it made me step out of my comfort zone and made me see life in a different light.

What’s your best memory?

My best memory was the trip to my host family’s lake house. There, we shared simple but amazing moments, laughing and learning about each other. This is when I really felt like I was a part of the family.

What are your main learnings?

My main learnings are to step out of my comfort zone because this is how you will discover so many new things. To live in the moment because time flies. That home can be anywhere.

Can you recommend going?

Absolutely, this year changed me forever, I discovered and became a better version of myself. I would recommend anyone that has the opportunity to go on an exchange year!

Your top advice?

My top advice would be to live the moment and take all the opportunities that life offers you, but also to create those opportunities by stepping out of your comfort zone and try something new because it’s better to have remorse than regrets.

Why did you choose STS?

I chose STS because I heard many people talking about their experiences with this organization, and when I called to ask some questions, they were really nice and helpful. I don’t regret my choice because I had the best time ever!

How will your exchange affect your future?

I am sure my exchange will affect my future in a positive way. It already did in the way I see things and it helped me understand what I want to do in the future.

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Barbara was on an exchange year in Costa Rica

Barbara from Italy went on exchange to Costa Rica.

Why did you go on exchange?

I decided to go on an exchange year because I wanted to challenge myself and chose Costa Rica to get to know a different part of the world.

How was it to live with a host family?

I got the chance to live with an awesome host family with three sisters (one of them is another exchange student from Sweden) and we get along like real sisters. I couldn’t have wished for a better family. They take care of me and are always here to help me.

How was school?

School is where you make friends. Everyone is really super nice. School can also be quite challenging sometimes, because of the language barrier. But with daily practice, it gets easier, and you will make fast progress. That’s the amazing thing about an exchange year, you are being challenged every day. You do things that get you out of your comfort zone and you grow as a person. You get to experience totally different things than in your home country,

Any special memory?

On Independence Day, September 15, all schools join for a big parade. Every school performs a dance with the school band. I joined the dancers, and I learned the dance. This is something I never thought I would do – I’m not a dancer. But, I’m so glad I did. The way my host family was so proud of me and them calling me their daughter, melted my heart.

Can you recommend going on exchange?

Yes, it will truly change your way of thinking and make you appreciate life at its fullest and enjoy every moment. You may have doubts if making an exchange is the right choice for you. I can only say: Challenge yourself and go on an exchange year and prepare yourself for the best time of your life. You won't regret it and it will also help you get a clearer view of what you want to accomplish in your future.

Can you recommend STS?

Yes. I had never problems with anything and they give you chances to experience all amazing things. You will always have someone to talk to and to get advice from.

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Joelle studied abroad in the USA

Joelle from Switzerland was on exchange in Texas, USA.

Where did you go on exchange?

I was placed in Stephenville, a small city in Texas. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I would like the place, but I thought I should give it a chance and try it out. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I love this town and the people there so much, it’s incredible. I had the best year of my life.

The best about your exchange?

The best thing is that I was able to meet so many amazing and inspiring people and that I made friendships for a lifetime. I experienced so many new and interesting things and learned so much about myself. I collected memories I will never forget, and this year will always have a really special place in my heart.

The best memory?

The best memories are the football games and prom night. I love the high school spirit, the connection between the teammates is incredible. The whole school feels like a big family.

What did you learn?

Besides the language, I also learned a lot about life in general and about myself. I am way more independent now and have a completely different view of life in general. When you go study abroad, you will definitely step out of your comfort zone and you will gain so much knowledge and experiences that are priceless.

What are your 3 top advice for someone who wants to go?

  1. Enjoy every day, the year will go by so fast.
  2. Always try to see the positive side and be open to everything.
  3. Talk to people and don’t be scared. They are all so sweet and nice.

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Lovisa studied on high school in the USA

Lovisa from Sweden went on exchange to the USA in 2019/2020. We asked her about her experience.

1. Why did you choose to go to the USA?

I went to the USA because I wanted to experience the typical high school culture that you see in movies. I also knew a lot of people who had gone for an exchange there and it seemed so fun!

2. Why did you go on exchange?

I wanted to see more of the world, experience a new culture, get new friends, see what American high school was like, and get memories I knew would last a lifetime.

3. How was it to live with a host family?

It was different of course but very cool and interesting. We had a lot of fun together and I got an even deeper understanding and perspective on the culture and their lives.

4. How was school?

Interesting, super fun, and easy haha. It was where I spent most of my time during my exchange year and I have lots of memories from the sports, clubs, different classes, and all my friends. Personally, I found school pretty easy which made the whole experience even better because I could really just enjoy it while making memories.

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

I was on the cheerleading team in school, so we had some practices in the afternoons. Otherwise, I liked hanging out with my host family and we did lots of things at home such as cooking, playing music, walking the dog, talking, and just hanging out.

6. Was it easy/hard to get friends?

Americans are very friendly and a lot of people are interested in getting to know the exchange students. But it seemed like most of them were looking for more of an acquaintance rather than a close friend so I actually had a more deep relationship with the other exchange students who were more similar to me.

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

It was very difficult at times honestly, but all the fun and new things made it worth it. You are busy all the time with school, friends, or your host family and don’t have too much time to think about anything negative. The culture shock was definitely challenging, but I was able to talk to my host family about it which made it much easier.

8. What was the best thing about your exchange year?

My host family and the cheerleading team. They were always there for me, and we had real fun together. This has given me plenty of memories that I will take with me for my whole life.

9. What’s your best memory?

It’s hard to pick one but the basketball games in school were a lot of fun. I also remember a movie night with my friends from school that felt like a typical scene from an American high school movie.

10. What are your main learnings?

How different cultures and people are around the world. You can travel a lot but living in a country really makes you experience the culture in a whole different way which is very interesting. I definitely want to live abroad again in the future.

11. How will your exchange affect your future?

It’s given me a bigger understanding of the world and a desire to travel more and see new places. It’s also given me lots of memories and an experience I will carry forever that no one else has.

12. Can you recommend going?

Yes, definitely. You have so much fun and grow a lot as a person.

13. Why should anyone go on exchange?

Because it gives you a new understanding of other cultures, you become independent and grow as a person and get memories and experiences that you’ll never forget.

14. Your top advice?

Trying not to have too many expectations and go more with the flow even if it’s hard.

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