--- title: ICES Blog | Student Experience description: Student Experience | 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. --- [![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/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On January 16, 2026 ## [Mid-Year Check: Make Your Year Great!](https://blog.icesusa.org/mid-year-check-make-your-year-great) Making it halfway through an exchange year is not easy. *( read )* Tags: [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [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 December 11, 2025 ## [Winter Break Bucket List](https://blog.icesusa.org/winter-break-bucket-list) Winter break is here, and it's the perfect time to slow down from the school routine. With a few weeks off, you and your exchange... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [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 November 14, 2025 ## [Black Friday and Cyber Monday: An Exchange Student's Guide](https://blog.icesusa.org/black-friday-cyber-monday-an-exchange-students-guide) Americans love shopping… but they love sales even more. The biggest sales event of the year happens on Black Friday and Cyber... *( 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 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/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 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/Klaudia.png) By [Klaudia Ecklon Asmussen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/klaudia-ecklon-asmussen) On March 28, 2025 ## [From Dreamer to Performer: The Life-Changing Possibilities and the People Who Made It Possible](https://blog.icesusa.org/from-dreamer-to-performer-the-life-changing-possibilities-and-the-people-who-made-it-possible) My name is Klaudia Ecklon Asmussen, and I’m 16 years old. I’m an exchange student from Denmark, spending an incredible year in... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [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 November 22, 2024 ## [Falling in Love with Autumn from Coast to Coast](https://blog.icesusa.org/falling-in-love-with-autumn-from-coast-to-coast) Autumn in the U.S. is a season of vibrant colors, cozy traditions, and unforgettable experiences. Fall offers countless moments... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/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 October 11, 2024 ## [10 Ways to Help Your Exchange Student Make Friends](https://blog.icesusa.org/10-ways-to-help-your-exchange-student-make-friends) What’s one of the biggest challenges for exchange students? Making friends in a brand-new environment. As a host family, you have... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Student Support](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-support), [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 September 27, 2024 ## [Why Your Exchange Student Should Keep a Journal (And How You Can Help)](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-your-exchange-student-should-keep-a-journal-and-how-you-can-help) Hosting a high school exchange student is an exciting, rewarding experience, filled with new adventures and challenges. Your... *( 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/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On May 10, 2024 ## [Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: The Magic of Host Moms](https://blog.icesusa.org/celebrating-the-unsung-heroes-the-magic-of-host-moms) As Mother’s Day draws near, let’s take a moment to honor the remarkable host moms who extend boundless love and support to teens... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Holidays](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/holidays), [Host mom](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/host-mom), [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/student-experience/page/2) ### 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.