--- title: ICES Blog | Kari Owens (3) 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. (3) --- [![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 September 27, 2024 ## [Why Your Exchange Student Should Keep a Journal (And How You Can Help)](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-your-exchange-student-should-keep-a-journal-and-how-you-can-help) Hosting a high school exchange student is an exciting, rewarding experience, filled with new adventures and challenges. Your... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [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 September 6, 2024 ## [12 Ways to Maximize Your Hosting Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/12-ways-to-maximize-your-hosting-experience) [Hosting a high school foreign exchange](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/) student is a unique and rewarding experience. But to truly make the most of it, it's... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 16, 2024 ## [Should I Host Again? Stories from Families Who Said Yes](https://blog.icesusa.org/should-i-host-again-stories-from-families-who-said-yes) If you've [hosted an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-become-a-host-family-step-by-step-guide) before, you know how transformative the experience can be. The laughter, the learning, the... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [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 August 2, 2024 ## [Breaking the Stereotype: What’s the “Ideal” Host Family?](https://blog.icesusa.org/breaking-the-stereotype-whats-the-ideal-host-family) When you picture a [host family for an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-become-a-host-family-step-by-step-guide), what comes to mind? Maybe it's a picturesque suburban home with two... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 19, 2024 ## [What's the best part of hosting an exchange student?](https://blog.icesusa.org/whats-the-best-part-of-hosting-an-exchange-student) We polled our host families to find out what they love most about hosting, and their responses were overflowing with enthusiasm!... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [Family Fun](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/family-fun) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 5, 2024 ## [Celebrating Independence: A Global Perspective](https://blog.icesusa.org/celebrating-independence-a-global-perspective) As we wrap up our Fourth of July celebrations and reflect on our nation's journey to independence, it's a good time to appreciate... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [4th of July](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/4th-of-july), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On May 3, 2024 ## [How to Become a Host Family: Step-by-Step Guide](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-become-a-host-family-step-by-step-guide) Now, more than ever, we are looking for ways to bring unity, peace, and understanding to our world.  [Hosting an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-youth-exchange-is-more-important-than-ever)... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On April 5, 2024 ## [How are Exchange Students Screened?](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-are-exchange-students-screened) For many teens around the world, the dream of studying abroad in the United States marks the beginning of a life-changing... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Student Screening](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-screening) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On March 22, 2024 ## [How Spring Cleaning Differs Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-spring-cleaning-differs-around-the-world) ## As the days grow longer and the weather warms, many people around the world embark on the annual tradition of spring cleaning.... *( read )* Tags: [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Spring Cleaning](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/spring-cleaning) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On February 24, 2024 ## [How to Choose the Right Exchange Student for Your Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-choose-the-right-exchange-student-for-your-family) Hosting an exchange student can be an enriching experience for both the student and the host family. It's a chance to open your... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [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 February 16, 2024 ## [9 Reasons to Host an Exchange Student from Asia](https://blog.icesusa.org/9-reasons-to-host-an-exchange-student-from-asia) Selecting your new exchange student is an enjoyable and exhilarating process! As you [explore the options](https://www.icesusa.org/meet-our-students/), take a moment to... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Asian Culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/asian-culture) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On January 26, 2024 ## [10 Comfort Foods from Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-comfort-foods-from-around-the-world) When the cold winds blow and snow falls from the sky, comfort foods are just the recipe for those cozy days inside. Most... *( read )* Tags: [International Cooking](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/international-cooking), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Recipes](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/recipes) [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens/page/4) ### 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.