STS Foundation-Student Exchange

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📣You're invited! Are you interested in learning more about STS Foundation? Do you have questions about becoming a host family for an exchange student? We invite you to join one of our Host Family Info Sessions taking place on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8pm Eastern Time.

Register Here: http://bit.ly/3jSECzD

These info sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about STS Foundation, the impact of cultural exchange programs on communities across the U.S., and what it means to become a host family for an exchange student. STS Foundation team members as well as current participants will also be there to answer all your questions!

We will be hosting info sessions on the following dates and times:

April 18, 2023 - 8 pm Eastern Time
May 16, 2023 - 8 pm Eastern Time
June 20, 2023 - 8 pm Eastern Time
July 18, 2023 - 8 pm Eastern Time
August 15, 2023 - 8 pm Eastern Time

We look forward to seeing you there!

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"Katja from Germany🇩🇪 has been great about doing all kinds of activities with our 9-year-old daughter. This evening she joined in our yearly family tradition of going to see Disney on Ice in Indianapolis."

Exchange students are so excited to jump right in and be part of your family! Whether it's Disney on Ice or family game night, there's always fun to be had when you're spending quality time together. Thank you to the Everitt family for opening their hearts and home to Katja, we love how seamlessly she has fit into your family.

Interested in adding an exchange student to your family this fall? Check out these amazing students who can't wait to see who their new family will be! https://www.stsfoundation.org/meet-our-students/

STS Education Group

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"Volunteering during the Cultural Festival at the elementary school was so fun. My friend and I were glad to educate people about the Arabic language. I was delighted that everyone was amazed by how their names were written in a different language. We were also glad that we taught students some Arabic words."

Today is the International Day of Education, a day created by the United Nations to highlight the importance of education around the world. We are so proud to be part of a program that empowers young people to grow through education and cultural exchange. Our students aren't just learning in the classroom, they're learning from their host families and communities as well. They also act as cultural ambassadors who educate those around them by sharing their languages, traditions, and values.

Thank you to Sofia from Tunisia for sharing her story with us, and to all of our students who take time to give back to the communities that host them by sharing their culture, time, and talents!

Youth Exchange and Study (YES)

Student Exchange in America happening today!

Please let me know how I can help with any questions you might have!

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We are excited to announce that Vlada from Estonia is the Fall semester winner of our Helping Hands Community Service Project! 🎉

For the past five months, Vlada has been a remarkable member of the Troutdale community in Oregon where she is spending her high school exchange year. Vlada participated in the Helping Hands Community Service Project organized by STS Foundation to help exchange students embrace the spirit of volunteerism and give back to the communities that welcome them.

Over the holiday season, Vlada spent most of her weekends volunteering at the Grotto's Festival of Lights in Portland, Oregon. She helped greet visitors, answer questions, give directions, and serve hot cocoa. Here is what Vlada shares about her volunteering experience:

"I decided to join because it was such a unique opportunity to get to know more people and bring fun and joy to everyone. I learned to be more sociable and involved in the activity, I feel like I acquired confidence when it comes to speaking to strangers!"

Vlada also discovered a new way of giving back through an online platform called DoSomething.org. With the help of her friends, host family, and others in the community, Vlada collected books and clothes for donation. She collected and donated 45 books and 53 pieces of clothing. Vlada enjoyed the time she spent asking the people around her about the books they had read and learning about recycling clothes.

"It was really interesting as we don’t have a system like this in Estonia! That helped me to realize that recycling clothes is actually a cool process that benefits not only the climate but also people, who need the clothes!"

Vlada is a recipient of the prestigious Future Leaders Exchange Program scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State which provides for students from former Soviet Union states to spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family and attending a U.S. high school.

STS Foundation students currently on exchange in the USA are invited to participate in the Helping Hands Community Service Project. Host Families and Local Coordinators are encouraged to be involved and participate with their exchange student(s). Volunteer and community hours completed in the Spring semester must be submitted by May 15, 2023.

Interested in learning more about our Helping Hands Community Service Project? https://www.stsfoundation.org/community-service/

FLEX Program The Grotto Portland DoSomething.org