--- title: ICES Blog | Kari Owens description: Kari is the National Training Director for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES). She’s passionate about youth exchange and has experienced it from every angle. In high school, she spent an academic year in Rancagua, Chile as an exchange student, and has since been a host mom to more than a dozen exchange students. She and her husband also supported both of their daughters during their exchange years to Germany and Ecuador. Currently, Kari spends her days providing training to ICES field staff to equip them to provide outstanding support to students and host families throughout the U.S. --- [![ices@2x](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png?width=77&name=ICES_Logo_%20sm_wht.png)](https://www.icesusa.org/)   - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org) [Let's Talk](https://blog.icesusa.org/contact)subscribe ### I’d like to learn more about Campaign Creators! # Welcome to Our Blog, It's Good to See You Subscribe to our blog today! ### Pick a topic, any topic. - [Recent Posts](https://blog.icesusa.org) ## Kari Owens ![Picture of Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) Kari is the National Training Director for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES). She’s passionate about youth exchange and has experienced it from every angle. In high school, she spent an academic year in Rancagua, Chile as an exchange student, and has since been a host mom to more than a dozen exchange students. She and her husband also supported both of their daughters during their exchange years to Germany and Ecuador. Currently, Kari spends her days providing training to ICES field staff to equip them to provide outstanding support to students and host families throughout the U.S. ### Recent Posts ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On January 9, 2026 ## [Why January Is the Best Time to Say Yes to Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-january-is-the-best-time-to-say-yes-to-hosting) January has a certain energy to it. *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On December 19, 2025 ## [If Santa Had A Passport](https://blog.icesusa.org/if-santa-had-a-passport) If Santa really traveled the world, his passport would be bursting at the seams—creased pages, glittery stamps,... *( read )* Tags: [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Christmas](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/christmas) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On November 1, 2025 ## [Exchange Student Guide to an Awesome Holiday Season (Hint: Gratitude)](https://blog.icesusa.org/exchange-student-guide-to-an-awesome-holiday-season-hint-gratitude) The pumpkins are not yet gone, the air smells like cinnamon, and suddenly the world is sparkling again. November has arrived —... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On October 17, 2025 ## [11 Ways to Bounce Back from Culture Shock (and Start Having Fun Again)](https://blog.icesusa.org/11-ways-to-bounce-back-from-culture-shock-and-start-having-fun-again) The honeymoon phase is over, your daily routine feels—well, routine—and suddenly that “new country excitement” has worn off.... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Culture Shock](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/culture-shock), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On September 26, 2025 ## [Small Wins, Big Year: How to Thrive on Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/small-wins-big-year-how-to-thrive-on-exchange) Stop for a second and think about this: two months ago, you were packing your suitcase, saying teary goodbyes, and hopping on a... *( read )* Tags: [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 29, 2025 ## [Our Best Blog Posts to Help You Start Your Hosting Experience Right](https://blog.icesusa.org/our-best-blog-posts-to-help-you-start-your-hosting-experience-right) Your student is here—or maybe they’re landing any day now. Either way, this fall kicks off a life-changing adventure for your... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 15, 2025 ## [It’s Not Too Late to Say Yes: Why Families Are Still Signing Up to Host](https://blog.icesusa.org/its-not-too-late-to-say-yes-why-families-are-still-signing-up-to-host) I’ve been a coordinator for exchange students for over 20 years, and let me tell you—if I had a nickel for every amazing host... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 1, 2025 ## [If Your Family Isn’t Perfect, You Might Be Perfect for Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/if-your-family-isnt-perfect-you-might-be-perfect-for-hosting) If you’ve ever thought about hosting an exchange student but hesitated because your family doesn’t look like the picture-perfect... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 11, 2025 ## [How Much Does It Cost to Host an Exchange Student?](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-an-exchange-student) If you’ve ever considered [hosting a high school exchange student](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/), you’ve probably asked yourself: *Can we afford it?*It’s a valid... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 3, 2025 ## [Celebrate Freedom by Sharing It](https://blog.icesusa.org/celebrate-freedom-by-sharing-it) **What if the most patriotic thing you could do this Fourth of July wasn’t waving a flag—but opening your front door?** *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On June 28, 2025 ## [Shout-Out to Our Standout Schools](https://blog.icesusa.org/shout-out-to-our-standout-schools) When people think of high school exchange programs, the spotlight often shines on the students and host families—and rightfully... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [American high school](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-high-school) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On April 17, 2025 ## [American Easter is a Sweet Treat for Exchange Students](https://blog.icesusa.org/american-easter-is-a-sweet-treat-for-exchange-students) When high school exchange students picture their year in the U.S., they often dream of trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving feasts,... *( read )* Tags: [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens/page/2) ### Posts by Tag - [Cultural Exchange (141)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange) - [Exchange Student (106)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student) - [Host Families (97)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families) - [Host an exchange student (78)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) - [Youth Exchange (68)](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ## Subscribe to Our Blog Today! ![Boris\_ICES\_Ads](https://blog.icesusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Boris_ICES_Ads.png?width=749&height=698&name=Boris_ICES_Ads.png) - [INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/international-student-exchange-programs/) - [HOST A STUDENT](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) - [AMERICAN STUDENTS](https://www.icesusa.org/american-student-exchange-programs/) - [WORK WITH US](https://www.icesusa.org/student-exchange-careers-and-partnerships/) - [ABOUT US](https://www.icesusa.org/about-us-overview/) - [CONTACT US](https://www.icesusa.org/contact-ices/) - [BLOG](https://blog.icesusa.org/) © 2019 ICES - INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE SERVICES - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.