--- title: ICES Blog | Youth Exchange (2) description: Youth Exchange | 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 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/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/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 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/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/Logo%20Big.png) By [ICES](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/ices) On March 7, 2025 ## [The Ultimate Study Abroad Packing List](https://blog.icesusa.org/the-ultimate-study-abroad-packing-list) So, you’re heading abroad for the adventure of a lifetime—exciting! You’ve got your passport, your visa (hopefully), and your... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [Study Abroad](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/study-abroad), ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Kari%20Owens%20headshot2.png) By [Kari Owens](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/kari-owens) On December 2, 2024 ## [Christmas Around the World](https://blog.icesusa.org/christmas-around-the-world) Christmas is a magical time of year, no matter where you are in the world. It’s a season of lights, laughter, and traditions that... *( 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/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On October 25, 2024 ## [Have Fun Exploring Cultural Norms!](https://blog.icesusa.org/exploring-cultural-norms-a-guide-for-host-families) Hosting a student from a different country means more than just exploring food, festivals and fun. It’s also a wonderful... *( read )* Tags: [Cultural Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-exchange), [Youth Exchange](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange), [cultural norms](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/cultural-norms) ![](https://blog.icesusa.org/hubfs/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On August 30, 2024 ## [Spice Up Your Life!](https://blog.icesusa.org/spice-up-your-life) Are you tired of your routine? [Hosting an exchange student](https://blog.icesusa.org/why-i-host-exchange-students)is one way to spice up your life! Here are just a few of the many ways... *( 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/Brenda%20headshot.jpg) By [Brenda Padilla Ericksen](https://blog.icesusa.org/author/brenda-padilla-ericksen) On July 12, 2024 ## [What is it like to be a teenager in Italy?](https://blog.icesusa.org/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-teenager-in-italy) It's more fascinating to host an exchange student if you know where your student is coming from, culturally speaking. This also... *( read )* Tags: [Exchange Student](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/exchange-student), [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/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), [VIEW MORE](https://blog.icesusa.org/tag/youth-exchange/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.