When PSE students arrive to the U.S., they experience an adjustment process which can prove to be both challenging and life changing. For example, eating new foods, attending American high school, engaging in extracurricular activities, living in a new home with a new family, and for some, living with host siblings, are all new experiences … Read More
Paul and Janie reside in a beautiful home in Chandler, AZ. They were empty nesters for nearly 16 years before they entertained the idea of hosting a student from Italy with PSE. “I’ve been retired for almost three years. So, with no kids in the house and retirement in play, the freedom was exponential,” shares Paul. Janie adds, … Read More
When Rina, from South Korea, arrived in Illinois in August 2022, she was only 14 years old. As a freshman in a high school in Providence, she was excited about her school year here in America. Rina enjoyed her Freshman year immensely, and over time she grew very close to her host family. Rina shares, “I … Read More
After graduating from high school in France, Elena decided to embark on the PSE exchange program for a full academic year in Rockford, Illinois. Elena states that the biggest challenge was leaving her family in France. “At first, I didn’t think it would be that difficult. I was super excited, but then going to a new … Read More
Xenya, or “Maya” as her friends and host family call her, is a PSE student from Germany who attended high school as a Senior near Easton, Pennsylvania and graduated in May 2023. Maya enjoyed living in Bethlehem, PA for her exchange year and shares her perception of the town: “Bethlehem is a little city, … Read More
Dong Hyuk, from South Korea, is known by her friends and family in America as “Christine.” She arrived to Easton, PA as a 15-year-old Freshman. According to Sharon, her host mother, “She was part of our family the minute she walked through our door four years ago with two large suitcases she could barely carry.” Christine … Read More
Daniela, from Spain, is one of our youngest students on the PSE program this year. At only 14 years of age, she came to America (Rochester, NY) with many dreams and a yearning for adventure. She describes her feelings while adjusting to her new home environment: “I was nervous and afraid. I’ve never left my home … Read More
In his home country of Italy, Gabriele trained and practiced swimming at a competitive level since he was six years old. Training for two hours a day, six days a week, he learned to manage a heavy workload as well as exuded a high level of sacrifice, discipline, and organization. Before arriving on the PSE program, … Read More
Sophie has always dreamed of visiting America and experiencing American life. Now, at 16 years old, Sophie’s dream came true in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Before coming to America, she thought an exchange year would be a “perfect opportunity to get to know a new life with a new culture and new friends.” She shares, “I … Read More
Ben and Katelyn of Portland, OR have gone “above and beyond” as a host family. Since beginning their host family experience in January of 2022, Ben and Katelyn have hosted six PSE students from Italy, Japan, Germany, and France. They have included their students on vacations to Seattle, the Oregon coast, Los Angeles, CA, and … Read More