Three Months of “Firsts”

February 11, 2022By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Miguel, an only child from Spain, has learned for the first time in his life what it is like to have three brothers. A PSE Trimester student in Rochester, NY, Miguel is hosted by a family with their own two sons, Joey and Jake, as well as another PSE student from France, Felix.  Joey and … Read More

California Dreamin’

January 26, 2022By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Laurenz and Gregorio are PSE students attending high school in Anaheim, CA for an academic semester. Laurenz is from Liechtenstein and Gregorio from Italy, and separately, they had each spent time in America prior to the PSE program. This experience, however, has provided them both with a unique opportunity to become immersed in American culture, … Read More

Maturing in America

November 20, 2021By Ann SteffenUncategorized No Comments

Zhiyu from China, known as Markus to his friends and host family, has been on the PSE program since 2018 and is a senior this year. Remarkably, he has spent all four years of his PSE program experience at the same school and with the same host family. Lisa, his Local Coordinator, describes Markus as … Read More

A Year of Surprises and Memorable Experiences

November 20, 2021By Ann SteffenUncategorized No Comments

Mark is a German student who spent a memorable sophomore year in Colorado Springs, CO on the PSE program. His reasons for participating go beyond improving his English skills and experiencing a new culture. Mark’s father studied in the U.S., a notable inspiration that drove him to seek out an international program experience of his … Read More

Worth the Challenge

June 10, 2021By Ann SteffenUncategorized No Comments

“Coming to a new country with new people that you don’t know when you are young is challenging, but it creates autonomy within you, and you make fabulous memories.” These are the reflective words of 16 year-old Oanez from France, who is completing her three month PSE Trimester program in Portland, OR. “I think coming … Read More

Double the Fun

March 5, 2021By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Jamie and Caroline, or “Caro” as her friends call her, are PSE students from Germany attending a small private high school in Camden, Maine. Caro is a Sophomore and had never visited America prior to this exchange year.  Jamie, a Junior, had visited the United States with her dad and sister to visit relatives in … Read More

Soccer, Family, and American Friends

January 5, 2021By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Alvaro, a senior from Spain attending high school in Pennsylvania, decided to join the PSE program “to learn English and the American culture, and to make American friends.” He has made huge strides in accomplishing all of his goals since arriving on the program last Fall. Recently, he celebrated a traditional American Thanksgiving holiday with … Read More

Second Year, Going Strong

December 3, 2020By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Wendy, from China, is a Sophomore in high school in Tennessee and a second-year PSE student. Wendy made an impression on her teachers, peers and community from the time she first arrived on the PSE program last year. In fact, she was featured in a blog post her Freshman year for her accomplishments, which you … Read More