--- title: ICES Blog (10) description: This blog is our means of sharing what we love most—seeing exchange students, host families, and the global community growing closer together through youth exchange. It’s also a way for us to do what we love to do—provide support to students and host families to help them have the best experience possible, and help those who are not (yet) an exchange student or host family understand why they should consider getting involved. (10) --- [![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) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Emma%20headshot-1.png) By [Emma Weissburg](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/emma-weissburg) On December 1, 2023 ## [Decking the Halls with a Global Twist: Holiday Decorating with your Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/decking-the-halls-with-a-global-twist-holiday-decorating-with-your-exchange-student) The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and the [celebration of traditions](https://blog.icesusa.org/12-christmas-traditions-to-share-with-your-exchange-student). For host families with exchange students from... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On November 20, 2023 ## [Thanksgiving Around the World: A Global Tapestry of Gratitude Celebrations](https://blog.icesusa.org/thanksgiving-around-the-world-a-global-tapestry-of-gratitude-celebrations) [Thanksgiving](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-americans-celebrate-thanksgiving), an ingrained part of American culture, is a time for families to come together, [express gratitude](https://blog.icesusa.org/pictures-of-gratitude), and enjoy a... *( read )* Tags: [Thanksgiving](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/thanksgiving) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Emma%20headshot-1.png) By [Emma Weissburg](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/emma-weissburg) On November 10, 2023 ## [8 Fun Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Your Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/8-fun-ways-to-celebrate-thanksgiving-with-your-exchange-student) Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you know what that means– it’s time to get your exchange student in on the holiday... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On October 27, 2023 ## [When Hosting an Exchange Student Doesn't Work Out...](https://blog.icesusa.org/when-hosting-an-exchange-student-doesnt-work-out) You signed up to host a student, but what if it’s not working out? Or what if your life changes and hosting is no longer... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [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 20, 2023 ## [Lost in Translation: Unraveling Cultural Misunderstandings](https://blog.icesusa.org/lost-in-translation-unraveling-cultural-misunderstandings) In the exciting world of hosting exchange students, there's more to the experience than just sharing your home and meals. It's an... *( 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/Emma%20headshot-1.png) By [Emma Weissburg](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/emma-weissburg) On October 13, 2023 ## [Culinary Diplomacy: Sharing Culture Through Cooking](https://blog.icesusa.org/culinary-diplomacy-sharing-culture-through-cooking) Hosting exchange students from around the world offers an opportunity to bridge cultures, build life-long friendships, and create... *( 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/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On October 7, 2023 ## [Helping Your Exchange Student Through Homesickness](https://blog.icesusa.org/helping-your-exchange-student-through-homesickness) The honeymoon is over when [homesickness](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homesickness) hits. Your high school exchange student was so excited to get on that plane and fly into... *( read )* Tags: [Culture Shock](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/culture-shock), [Homesickness](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/homesickness) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On October 2, 2023 ## [Why Being a High School Exchange Student is the Coolest Thing Ever!](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-being-a-high-school-exchange-student-is-the-coolest-thing-ever) Hey there, future globe-trotter! Ever dreamt of breaking free from the regular high school routine, choosing your dream... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Emma%20headshot-1.png) By [Emma Weissburg](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/emma-weissburg) On September 18, 2023 ## [10 Ways to Create Connection Between Exchange Students & Host Siblings](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-ways-to-create-connection-nurturing-strong-bonds-between-host-siblings-and-exchange-students) Hosting an exchange student can be an incredibly rewarding experience for your family. It provides an opportunity to learn about... *( 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 September 8, 2023 ## [The Exchange Student's Guide to Making Friends](https://blog.icesusa.org/the-exchange-students-guide-to-making-friends) Are you an exchange student embarking on a thrilling adventure in a foreign land? One of the most enriching experiences of your... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Making Friends](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/making-friends) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On September 1, 2023 ## [How To Be an Awesome Host Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-be-an-awesome-host-family) Hosting an exchange student is not just a mind-blowing and eye-opening experience, but also a chance to level up and grow... *( 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 August 29, 2023 ## [Who Can Be a Host Family?](https://blog.icesusa.org/who-can-be-a-host-family) As we near the end of August, you may notice an abundance of posts and ads seeking [host families](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-i-host-exchange-students) for exchange students. Sound... *( 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) [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/page/11) ### 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.