STS High School 14–18 years of age
Clara
I was a bit nervous about living with a host family. But my worries were put to rest as soon as I arrived. I had the most amazing host parents: an older couple, Jim and Janice. It was so natural to be with them. They truly became my second family! They have visited me in Sweden and I have been back after my exchange to visit them. It’s hard in the beginning because of the culture shock, and you might think what people do is weird. But try not to judge it. Try to understand and accept it.
Maybe it’s something you will end up loving. In my case it was country music! It sounds so cliché, but I would not be the same person I am today if I hadn’t done this. I learnt a lot from other people, even if we were completely different. I learned how to communicate and actu - ally listen to others’ opinions. It helped me understand them and their lives better, and gave me new perspectives on my own life and points of view. I’m forever thankful I did this. It’s something that I will carry with me my entire life.
Clara from Sweden was on a high school exchange in Kansas, USA.