Public High School Exchange in the USA (J-1)

I went to the USA during the 2017/2018 school year. My host family lived in a small town (Smithfield) in North Carolina. I LOVED my year there: the sports I played (baseball, basketball, softball), the trips I took (Washington DC and Universal Studios in Florida), American life and going to school... It was the best experience of my life! I loved living this American experience with a wonderful host family! Future exchange students, take full advantage of your unique experience, because time passes extremely quickly!

Leane came home safely. With a heavy heart, certainly, after the wonderful year she just spent in Smithfield! The next few days may be difficult. A superb experience made of beautiful encounters, a generous family, a new culture, a year rich in discoveries and autonomy, and above all a desire to travel and travel around the world! Thanks again to Nacel for this flawless organization. Impeccable management from every point of view, which means that we too have experienced the separation perfectly well.

I left Italy with my parents on the 18 of August. When I arrived to Washington DC we drove down to Leonard town where we took a room in a Best Western hotel. When I finally moved to my host family it was like a dream, the house was on the river and there were many activities to do on the water such as wakeboarding, canoeing, fishing, boating... My new brother was two years younger than me, he was very friendly. My English understanding was quite good with adults but not with teenagers, I couldn't understand their slang immediately; I also had many troubles with my Italian accent even if girls loved it.

My classes were: British literature, American government, trigonometry, physics, world cultures, sacraments and business math. I had no difficulties to study in the English language. As sport activity I chose sailing, it was very nice to spend hours after school on the water. After the first month I started to understand all the school system and I was able to speak with teenagers easily. My daily routine was: wake up at 6 am, one hour of bus riding to school, school till 2.30 with lunch included, 2 hours of sailing, go back home by car or bus, study, have dinner around 7pm and turn off the lights at midnight.

My host parents were fine, they worked a lot so sometimes they were stressed but it wasn't a big problem, my host mother helped me a lot in understanding the school system and speaking with teachers to give me some pieces of advice.

I liked a lot the school system without any book but with only the ipad, it was easier to organize stuff. Classes were easier compared to my school in Italy; my final grades were all positive except for sacraments.

At the end of the semester in the US I could understand perfectly the English language and I improved my speaking skills.

The thing I enjoyed the most at school were the open space, every time you end a class you go outside and have a walk to go to the next class. I liked a lot this experience and I suggest it to everyone.

Getting to study in the United States for the school year 2018-2019 was a dream come true. My american dream came true! :) Yutah is absolutely breathtaking. My host family was awesome to me. I hope they come to visit me in Germany very soon! 

During my semester in the U.S.A,  I was constantly surrounded by friendly people; from my host family, teachers to classmates. I would definetely recommend this program to anyone who is seeking for personal growth and development, adventures, fun and lifelong friendships!

Semester was great. Great program! Thanks

The school year went by fast. The life of my host family inspired me a lot. They were super-organized and each one had many dreams to fulfill. And so I learned with them to get up early, take care a little more about my physical and mental health. I was able to go to yoga with them and I liked it a lot! As soon as I get home in Estonia, I will sign up for Yoga and driving lessons. This year in the United States is undoubtedly helping me a lot to mature and grow as a person. Thank you very much Nacel for choosing the Pearson Family for me. They are really amazing. The sadness of being away from my family passed quickly as I began to focus on my goals at school in the United States. At school I met new people and we went out together a few times during the weekends.

I hope that future students who participate in this program will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed it. It is an experience that changes your life for the better forever.