--- title: ICES Blog | cultural understanding (3) description: cultural understanding | 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/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On May 3, 2024 ## [How to Become a Host Family: Step-by-Step Guide](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-to-become-a-host-family-step-by-step-guide) Now, more than ever, we are looking for ways to bring unity, peace, and understanding to our world.  [Hosting an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-youth-exchange-is-more-important-than-ever)... *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On April 22, 2024 ## [Exploring the World Through American Cinema](https://blog.icesusa.org/exploring-the-world-through-american-cinema) If you’re looking for entertainment with an international twist, consider a movie with a foreign flair. Whether you're craving... *( read )* Tags: [Travel](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/travel), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Cinema](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cinema) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On April 12, 2024 ## [How Hosting an Exchange Student Fosters Empathy](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-hosting-an-exchange-student-fosters-empathy) [Empathy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empathy) can make or break your family dynamics. Boosting empathy improves relationships, communication, teamwork, kindness,... *( read )* Tags: [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Reasons to host](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/reasons-to-host), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On March 29, 2024 ## [How Study Abroad Changes Your Perspective](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-study-abroad-changes-your-perspective) Studying abroad can be a transformative experience that profoundly impacts your perspective on life, culture, and the rest of the... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Outbound](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/outbound), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On March 22, 2024 ## [How Spring Cleaning Differs Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-spring-cleaning-differs-around-the-world) ## As the days grow longer and the weather warms, many people around the world embark on the annual tradition of spring cleaning.... *( read )* Tags: [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Spring Cleaning](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/spring-cleaning) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/LVESEL%20Headshot%20v3.jpg) By [Lily Vesel](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/lily-vesel) On March 15, 2024 ## [7 Topics to Help You Get to Know Your Exchange Student Before Their Arrival](https://blog.icesusa.org/7-topics-to-help-you-get-to-know-your-exchange-student-before-their-arrival) Getting to know your exchange student before their arrival can help make the adjustment period as smooth as possible. [...](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-ways-to-bond-with-your-exchange-student-before-they-arrive) *( read )* Tags: [Welcome Family](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/welcome-family), [Host Families](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-families), [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On February 16, 2024 ## [9 Reasons to Host an Exchange Student from Asia](https://blog.icesusa.org/9-reasons-to-host-an-exchange-student-from-asia) Selecting your new exchange student is an enjoyable and exhilarating process! As you [explore the options](https://www.icesusa.org/meet-our-students/), take a moment to... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Asian Culture](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/asian-culture) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On February 2, 2024 ## [Cultural Adaptation: What is it like?](https://blog.icesusa.org/cultural-adaptation-what-is-it-like) Adapting to a new culture is a complex process. It can be exciting, but also overwhelming and intimidating at times. How you can... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [cultural immersion](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-immersion) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On January 26, 2024 ## [10 Comfort Foods from Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-comfort-foods-from-around-the-world) When the cold winds blow and snow falls from the sky, comfort foods are just the recipe for those cozy days inside. Most... *( read )* Tags: [International Cooking](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/international-cooking), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), [Recipes](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/recipes) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On January 19, 2024 ## [How did the Idea of High School Exchange Programs Begin?](https://blog.icesusa.org/how-did-the-idea-of-high-school-exchange-programs-begin) Imagine allowing your teenager to pack a bag, fly halfway around the world, and live with strangers for nearly a year. Every... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [cultural understanding](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On January 12, 2024 ## [The Midway Checkup: Preparing for an Incredible Second Act](https://blog.icesusa.org/the-midway-checkup-preparing-for-an-incredible-second-act) Is hosting an exchange student everything you hoped it would be? You are halfway through a story that you are writing together... *( 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 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), [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-understanding/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.