STUDENT STORIES
“ I embarked on my 6 month exchange to the U . S . in August 2024 during their summer . I stayed there throughout their fall and into their start of winter and left at the end of December .
I stayed in a small town called Bunker Hill which is just off the city of Indianapolis , Indiana . I lived with my host mum , dad , and three siblings . My host family was super welcoming towards me and very intrigued in getting to know me and making sure I was having the best ‘ American Experience ’ I could have . I went to lots of football and basketball games and was included in so many American traditions . They made sure to help me sign up for any sports I would like to participate in for school .
My school was super inclusive towards exchange students and made it super easy for me to fit in and make new friends . I was a little scared at first but all of the students were so welcoming and very inclusive . Everyday throughout the schooling week I would catch a ride with my two friends to school . Then classes would start at 8:15am . I would make friends in my classes and talk to my other friends throughout my passing periods . I would finish school at 3:05pm . I participated in Volleyball and Cheerleading . After school was finished I had volleyball practice from 3:30-5:30 everyday for the first term . I would also then go to cheer practice after volleyball on Wednesdays from 5:30 - 7pm . And a football game which we would cheer at on Friday nights . I think that participating in these sports really helped me to extend my friend group because I would talk to people from different year groups .
“ In December 2023 I started my two-month exchange in Italy with Your Education . It was the winter season and I was lucky enough to have a cold , traditional Italian Christmas .
I stayed in a little town called Rescaldina in Northern Italy . It is a twenty-five minute train ride outside of from Milan . In my host family there was my host mum , dad , sister and two brothers . Their aunties , uncles and cousins also lived near us .
I went to school with one of my host brothers and was put in the same class as him . Each morning we would catch the train into Saronno to get to school before it started at 8am . Then at either 12pm or 1pm the classes would finish and we would walk through the city to catch the bus or the train home again for lunch .
I made many life-long friends and created a very special bond with my host family . They were so generous , loving and they made me a part of their family . They showed me so many cities around Rescaldina . We went to Milan , Lake Como , Monza , Lake Maggiore , many other beautiful places and they even took me as far as Venice .
The numerous memories I was so gifted to have experienced all have a very special place in my heart . I am forever grateful to Your Education for this opportunity and for matching me with such a perfect host family . Even after a year , I am still in touch with my host family and I can ’ t wait to see them again another day soon .”
I think my 6 month exchange has flown by so fast . At first I thought 6 months would ’ ve been a long time to stay away from home . But I don ’ t regret it a bit . It has ensured that I have really made connections with all my teachers , friends and host family . There is no one memorable moment for me because every day was such a great experience .”
Elysse went to Indiana , USA . Renee went to Rescaldina , Italy
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