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Kari Owens

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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

How many kids do you have? What used to be a straightforward question has become more complicated over the years. I’ve finally...


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Tags: Host Families, Host an exchange student, Host mom,

Each fall, I welcome a new group of exchange students to the Oregon coast and watch them begin the process of adapting to their...


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Tags: Cultural Exchange, Culture Shock, Youth Exchange

Two exchange students living with the same host family bring double the opportunity to learn about other cultures. This type of...


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Tags: Host Families, Cultural Exchange, Exchange Student,

Many exchange students say one of their top reasons for spending a year in the U.S. is to gain fluency in English. Being...


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Tags: Cultural Exchange, Student Support, Exchange Student

For most exchange students, October and November are the most difficult months of the exchange. Cultural differences that were...


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Tags: Host Families, Cultural Exchange, Student Support,

By Kari Owens On October 4, 2019

The Key to a Great Exchange

Every exchange student hopes to have an awesome exchange experience, including a great relationship with the host family, lots of...


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Tags: Student Support, Exchange Student

By Kari Owens On September 28, 2019

Student Orientation

New language. New customs. New foods. New family. New school. New rules. New friends. The list of things an exchange student...


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Tags: Host Families, Cultural Exchange

By Kari Owens On September 18, 2019

Starting on the Right Track

The exchange begins!After weeks or months of waiting, the exchange student is finally here.It is such an exciting time for both...


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Tags: Host Families, Cultural Exchange

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