During this season of gratitude, we asked our students and host families to share a photo or video depicting an aspect of their exchange for which they are grateful. It was heartwarming to see all the learning, growth, and love that is taking place across the country, even in a challenging year such as this one.
We are pleased to share the winners, each of whom will receive a $100 visa gift card.
Daniel Aldo Pasinetti, Italy
Living in Gwinn, Michigan
"I am thankful for all the people who helped make my dream exchange experience come true. Especially my host-family as they welcomed me as a son and made me feel immediately at home. They helped me to "grow up" by making me more autonomous and more responsible than I was. They also taught me how to live every single second of this beautiful experience."
Kristina Dalton, San Antonio, Texas
Host mom to Amy Jihyun Lee from South Korea
"I am the most thankful during this crazy covid year that I was able to get a student who became family. I loved how she made everything new and exciting just with her enthusiasm to try new things. The whole Dalton family had a blast dressing up together and experiencing trick or treating."
Michele Wornock, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Host mom to Justina Trnkova (Czech Republic) and Yanin Phanomupatham (Thailand)
"I’m thankful that our girls get along so well. They are very different but always find common ground. They love to laugh and visit new places together, such as the Midtown Saturday walkabout in OKC."
Chihok Gauy, Cambodia
Living in Edmond, Oklahoma
"I'm really thankful for the fun time I had with my host family."
Kristy Sears Curtis , Osceola, Indiana
Host mom to Claudia Gimenez Romero from Spain
"What are we thankful for- There are so many things to be thankful for for Claudia. Claudia has become one with our family as well as her family with ours. We had a baby three weeks ago and are delighted to be able to give Claudia the experience of being a big sister to a brand new baby. I am also thankful for having almost a full year of getting to know her family and her before her arrival here in August. Claudia has been a blessing to our family and we truly admire her and we look forward to a long relationship with her and her family: a relationship that will be bonded by love for our entire lives. Claudia may not be our blood daughter, but to us she is very much our daughter. I am thankful to ICES and the entire organization for allowing the program to continue this year under the circumstances of the pandemic. Without ICES we would not have grown our family by another student and her family. We have lots to be thankful for this year thanks to ICES and to Claudia and Claudia‘s family."
Petra Groenneberg Hagen, Norway
Living in Bloomington, Minnesota
"I am thankful for my host sisters and host mom and how they make me feel like a part of their family<3"
Ciera Fryover, Lakeview, Michigan
Host mom to Pong Ying Yu from Hong Kong
"I am thankful to have had this experience with her. Seeing the joy she has in the little things, especially what most people take for granted, brings so much happiness to my life. In the picture I submitted, it was her first time being that close to a cat, and actually getting to pet one was magical to her. She couldn’t believe how soft they are! This is just one example of how fearless she has been in trying new things. Sometimes she is scared, but ultimately takes that step to have the experience. Not only has she opened my eyes to enjoy more of the little things, but she has brought me more out of my shell into trying more things I might not have otherwise."
Marina Sarría Úriz, Spain
Living in Killeen, Texas
"This photo means a lot to me, I took it at the beginning of my experience in the USA. The bridge refers to all the problems that life can give you, but that at the end of the bridge there is always a solution, a reason to keep fighting. At the end of my bridge is my family, my happiness and my good health. The stars represent the thousands of dreams that I have to fulfill ahead and that this is only the first of all. You see me happy, having a good time and wanting to live this experience 100%."
Join us in congratulating each of these winners! We thank all of our students and host families who submitted their beautiful, fun, and touching photos and videos. Keep making memories!
Maybe YOU could be the winner of next year's contest! We are currently looking for host families for students arriving in January and August of 2021. Click below for more information on how you can have this life-changing experience!