--- title: ICES Blog (2) 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. (2) --- [![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/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On September 26, 2025 ## [Small Wins, Big Year: How to Thrive on Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/small-wins-big-year-how-to-thrive-on-exchange) Stop for a second and think about this: two months ago, you were packing your suitcase, saying teary goodbyes, and hopping on a... *( read )* Tags: [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience) ![](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/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 29, 2025 ## [Our Best Blog Posts to Help You Start Your Hosting Experience Right](https://blog.icesusa.org/our-best-blog-posts-to-help-you-start-your-hosting-experience-right) Your student is here—or maybe they’re landing any day now. Either way, this fall kicks off a life-changing adventure for your... *( 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/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On August 21, 2025 ## [What If Things Get Awkward? Tips for Navigating Early Misunderstandings](https://blog.icesusa.org/what-if-things-get-awkward-tips-for-navigating-early-misunderstandings) Hosting a high school exchange student is the best. But...it can also get awkward. Don’t worry. Awkward moments are normal in the... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Culture Shock](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/culture-shock), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 15, 2025 ## [It’s Not Too Late to Say Yes: Why Families Are Still Signing Up to Host](https://blog.icesusa.org/its-not-too-late-to-say-yes-why-families-are-still-signing-up-to-host) I’ve been a coordinator for exchange students for over 20 years, and let me tell you—if I had a nickel for every amazing host... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [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 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/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On August 1, 2025 ## [If Your Family Isn’t Perfect, You Might Be Perfect for Hosting](https://blog.icesusa.org/if-your-family-isnt-perfect-you-might-be-perfect-for-hosting) If you’ve ever thought about hosting an exchange student but hesitated because your family doesn’t look like the picture-perfect... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On July 24, 2025 ## [12 Ways to Prepare Your Family for Sharing Your Culture with an Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/12-ways-to-prepare-your-family-for-sharing-your-culture-with-an-exchange-student) Hosting a high school exchange student is an adventure. But how can you prepare to share your American culture in a way that... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [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 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/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On July 11, 2025 ## [How Much Does It Cost to Host an Exchange Student?](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-an-exchange-student) If you’ve ever considered [hosting a high school exchange student](https://www.icesusa.org/host-a-student-overview/), you’ve probably asked yourself: *Can we afford it?*It’s a valid... *( 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 July 3, 2025 ## [Celebrate Freedom by Sharing It](https://blog.icesusa.org/celebrate-freedom-by-sharing-it) **What if the most patriotic thing you could do this Fourth of July wasn’t waving a flag—but opening your front door?** *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [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 June 28, 2025 ## [Shout-Out to Our Standout Schools](https://blog.icesusa.org/shout-out-to-our-standout-schools) When people think of high school exchange programs, the spotlight often shines on the students and host families—and rightfully... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [American high school](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-high-school) [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/page/3) ### 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.