--- title: ICES Blog (3) 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. (3) --- [![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/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/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On June 16, 2025 ## [After You Say Goodbye...](https://blog.icesusa.org/after-you-say-goodbye) Saying goodbye to an exchange student usually happens in a flurry of activity: end of school, beginning of summer, planning... *( 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/Inja.jpeg) By [Inja Hartmann](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/inja-hartmann) On June 6, 2025 ## [What Being an Exchange Student Has Taught Me](https://blog.icesusa.org/what-being-an-exchange-student-has-taught-me) Before starting my exchange year, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I had heard countless stories from former... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [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 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/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On May 23, 2025 ## [7 Ways Culture Shock Fades and Understanding Grows](https://blog.icesusa.org/7-ways-culture-shock-fades-and-understanding-grows) Hosting a high school exchange student can feel like inviting someone from another planet into your home. There will be [culture...](https://blog.icesusa.org/culture-shock-how-can-you-help) *( read )* Tags: [Culture Shock](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/culture-shock), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [american culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/american-culture) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Gretchen%20headshot.png) By [Gretchen Mitchell](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/gretchen-mitchell) On May 17, 2025 ## [Think You're Too Busy to Host? Think Again.](https://blog.icesusa.org/think-youre-too-busy-to-host-think-again) Does your schedule ever leave you feeling like you're running around like a chicken with your head cut off? Like your house is ... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [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 May 9, 2025 ## [Exchange Students Celebrate Their Host Moms](https://blog.icesusa.org/exchange-students-celebrate-their-host-moms) Every year, ICES students arrive in the U.S. with a suitcase full of dreams—and leave with a second family in their hearts. In... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [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 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/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On April 25, 2025 ## [Will Recent Political Changes Affect High School Exchange Students?](https://blog.icesusa.org/will-recent-political-changes-affect-high-school-exchange-students) If you're wondering whether it's still safe to host a high school exchange student in today's political climate, you're not... *( read )* Tags: [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [U.S. Government](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/u-s-government) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On April 17, 2025 ## [American Easter is a Sweet Treat for Exchange Students](https://blog.icesusa.org/american-easter-is-a-sweet-treat-for-exchange-students) When high school exchange students picture their year in the U.S., they often dream of trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving feasts,... *( read )* Tags: [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Host an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-an-exchange-student), [Student Experience](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On April 11, 2025 ## [Spring Traditions Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/spring-traditions-around-the-world) When spring rolls in, something magical happens. Trees bud, flowers bloom, and cultures around the globe burst into celebration.... *( read )* Tags: [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Spring](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/spring) ![](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), [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/page/4) ### 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.