From Switzerland to a Second Home

April 28, 2026By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

A Year Filled with Family, Friendship, and Volleyball For Eva, studying abroad in the United States wasn’t just a goal, it was a childhood dream. Growing up in Switzerland, she imagined what it would be like to fully immerse herself in another culture and build meaningful relationships across the world. When she finally arrived to … Read More

The Adventure that Lasts a Lifetime

February 20, 2026By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust Since she was 7 years old, Aurora dreamed of leaving her town in Italy to study abroad and travel the world. An avid foreign language enthusiast, her sights were set on studying in the United States. … Read More

Double the Fun

November 12, 2025By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Ben and Beatrice each set off on their own separate adventures this past Fall, unknowing of the many ways in which their lives would entangle in the following months. Ben, from Germany, and Beatrice, from Italy, had never met prior to arriving to the care of their shared host family in Rochester, New York. They … Read More

Disneyland-sized Growth

June 5, 2025By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Valley Catholic High School in Oregon has been grateful to have Yuqian “Amiya” from China as a member of their student body for the past two years. Amiya, a bright, precocious student, first visited the United States in junior high school on a month-long trip to Seattle, Washington. She was encouraged by her parents to … Read More

Living Life at Full Speed

March 28, 2025By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Imagine arriving to a new city not knowing a single soul. This has been the experience for Italian student and fierce 12th grader Victoria. Victoria is currently attending El Camino Real Charter High School, and since arriving, she has strived to live each day determined to seize every possible opportunity while in the United States. … Read More

Exploring Film Production

January 3, 2025By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Alena, from the Czech Republic, is enjoying her exchange experience in sunny Scottsdale, AZ. She arrived on the PSE program with an interest in photography and creating short videos. In her free time back at home, she would film videos of her friends wave boarding and free skating, edit them, and post them on Instagram. “In my … Read More

A Winning Smile

October 4, 2024By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Tora, from Sweden, excelled in her 2023-24 academic year experience on the PSE program. While attending high school as a Junior in Torrance, CA, she embraced the wrestling program with vigor. Back in Sweden, Tora started training in Judo when she was seven years old. “I had competed in the Swedish championships twice, where I … Read More

Picture Perfect

July 23, 2024By Ann SteffenHost families, Students No Comments

Attending Prom is a highlight for many international students on the PSE high school program. Since it doesn’t exist in other countries, our students anticipate it with great enthusiasm. Dahye from South Korea, known as “Emma” to her friends and family here in America, was thrilled not only to attend prom, but asked to be … Read More