In preparation for Valentine's Day, we ran a photo contest in which we asked our exchange students to submit a photo showing us their answer to this question: What is something you love about your exchange? Just for fun, there had to be a heart somewhere in their photo. We received some outstanding--and very creative--photos with captions that will melt your heart! Our students and host families are truly amazing, and we are excited to share the love with you, the same way they do with each other in these photos.
Congratulations to our grand prize winner (who will receive a $200 Visa gift card), and our runners up (each of whom will receive a $100 Visa gift card).
Grand Prize Winner
“I love my host family “snow” much!”
Submitted by Giulia Lucchese from Brazil
Seeing love in a whole new way during her exchange year in Michigan
Runners Up
“I absolutely love my family (they’re not my host family anymore they are MY FAMILY) for ever! And I love the snow and all the fun things you can do in it!! This picture was taken after a really fun sledding day! Thank you ICES for giving me the best host family in the world!”
(In the picture you can see, my host dad, host siblings, host mom, host aunt, host cousin and another exchange student from Germany who lives with my host aunt and uncle)
Submitted by Ana Ruiz Grijalba from Spain
Loving her family in Indiana
I love them from the bottom of my heart and they all are my treasures forever!"
"Me and my host sister Caroline doing our favorite sport on Nick and Ruby"
Honorable Mentions
These pictures capture love in so many ways, and while they didn't have the votes to capture a prize, they surely didn't fall short when it came to sharing the love. So here are some of our honorable mentions from this years contest!
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"Hello :) Here is my Picture for valentines day contest! I’m so grateful that people who I met in America give me a lots of happiness. Thank you so much again :) Also I want to say thank you for having this contest. I could know how blessed I am by taking these pictures with people.
Submitted by Seoyeon Kim from South Korea (and 39 of her closest friends)
Lots of hand-heart love in Oklahoma
"This is a photo of me at my favorite coffee place here in Portland which I really love. Its the small things that makes you happy."
Submitted by Adela Dembowski from the Czech Republic
Sippin' the coffee love in Oregon
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My photo represents the beautiful snow we have right now and the fun that I have with my host brother.
Submitted by Leni Müller from Germany
Sharing the snowy love in Indiana
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Submitted by Nicole Donato from Italy
Baking up some love in West Virginia
Submitted by Vittoria Cozzatelli from Italy
Loving to cheer in Virginia
Submitted by Elisa Amoroso from Italy
Sharing the family love in Pennsylvania
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"Went to see Grand Canyon with my friends! I love to travel and get new experiences. What I love more is to share my experiences with people I care about such as good friends."
Submitted by Freya Fiala from Denmark
With some travel-bug love in New York
So Much Love!
Thank you to all of the students, host families, school groups and friends that participated in our fun "Share the Love" photo contest. Rest assured that every photograph was not just viewed, but appreciated! You are all amazing.
Happy Valentine's Day, and remember to share the love of cultural exchange today!
