--- title: ICES Blog | Lily Vesel description: Lily is a Web Content Writer for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES). She became passionate about traveling and experiencing other cultures after living in Spain for several years and studying abroad in France. She is based out of Colorado and enjoys spending time hiking in the mountains and exploring the great outdoors with her partner and her dog, Caramel. --- [![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) ## Lily Vesel ![Picture of Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) Lily is a Web Content Writer for International Cultural Exchange Services (ICES). She became passionate about traveling and experiencing other cultures after living in Spain for several years and studying abroad in France. She is based out of Colorado and enjoys spending time hiking in the mountains and exploring the great outdoors with her partner and her dog, Caramel. ### Recent Posts ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On January 2, 2026 ## [How Different Cultures Celebrate the New Year](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-different-cultures-celebrate-the-new-year) In the United States, New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest parties of the year. Families and friends gather to celebrate with... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On December 11, 2025 ## [Winter Break Bucket List](https://blog.icesusa.org/winter-break-bucket-list) Winter break is here, and it's the perfect time to slow down from the school routine. With a few weeks off, you and your exchange... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On November 14, 2025 ## [Black Friday and Cyber Monday: An Exchange Student's Guide](https://blog.icesusa.org/black-friday-cyber-monday-an-exchange-students-guide) Americans love shopping… but they love sales even more. The biggest sales event of the year happens on Black Friday and Cyber... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On October 3, 2025 ## [6 Ways Playing Sports Benefits Exchange Students](https://blog.icesusa.org/6-ways-playing-sports-benefits-exchange-students) Picture this: Your exchange student nervously walks into soccer tryouts, unsure if she'll fit in with the American team. Fast... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [American high school](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-high-school) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On September 5, 2025 ## [American High School Life: School Spirit, Sports, and Slang](https://blog.icesusa.org/american-high-school-life-school-spirit-sports-and-slang) So, you're about to begin your high school exchange year in the United States. If you've watched American teen movies, you're... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On August 8, 2025 ## [Feeling Nervous About Studying Abroad? Here's How to Handle It.](https://blog.icesusa.org/feeling-nervous-about-studying-abroad-heres-how-to-handle-it) For the last few months, you've probably felt mounting excitement about your upcoming exchange year in the United States. But now... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On July 18, 2025 ## [You Don't Have to Solve the World's Problems—Just Open Your Door](https://blog.icesusa.org/you-dont-have-to-solve-the-worlds-problems-just-open-your-door) In a world that often feels overwhelmed by global challenges, it's easy to feel powerless. What can you do to really make a... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [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/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On June 20, 2025 ## [Helping Younger Kids Understand and Cope with the Goodbye](https://blog.icesusa.org/helping-younger-kids-understand-and-cope-with-the-goodbye) When you host an exchange student, they become a part of your family. All those little moments over the past year where you... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On May 30, 2025 ## [Encouraging Your Exchange Student to Give Before They Go](https://blog.icesusa.org/encouraging-your-exchange-student-to-give-before-they-go) As the exchange year ends, you might reflect on the incredible journey you have shared with your exchange student. You have... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On May 2, 2025 ## [Why Youth Exchange Matters More Than Ever in Today’s World](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-youth-exchange-matters-more-than-ever-in-todays-world) Youth exchange- what’s not to love? You get to share a family member with another family across the world and have the chance to... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On April 4, 2025 ## [Experiencing American Culture Through Volunteering](https://blog.icesusa.org/experiencing-american-culture-through-volunteering) Your exchange student is already diving headfirst into American culture - attending school, learning slang, and discovering how... *( 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/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On February 14, 2025 ## [Valentine's Day Traditions from Different Countries](https://blog.icesusa.org/valentines-day-traditions-from-different-countries) In the United States, we celebrate Valentine’s Day by showing loved ones how much we care for them through gifts, boxes of... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays) [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel/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.