NWSE Blog

High School Spotlight! La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools

Feb 26 2024

La Crescent, Minnesota – a small town with a BIG heart for cultural exchange High schools partnering with NWSE that actively support cultural exchange programs play a critical role in fostering understanding, diversity and global citizenship among students. They help students broaden their perspectives, appreciate cultural differences, and develop life-long friendships. In this blog, we’d like to spotlight one such … Read More »

Dale Nicholson Exchange Student Scholarship

Mar 28 2023

It is with highest honor that NWSE announces the student to receive NWSE’s first Dale Nicholson Exchange Student Scholarship Award for the 2023-24 school year. NWSE created the Dale Nicholson Exchange Student Scholarship in 2022 to spotlight and commemorate Dale’s devotion to cultural exchange, and the passion, care and commitment she had for foreign exchange students. For 30 years, Dale … Read More »

Two families share a daughter and make lasting connections!

Oct 18 2022

One goal of cultural exchange is to connect and share with people from other countries and cultures. The Beasleys, an NWSE host family, and the Rueda Dujovnes family from Spain have taken this concept one step further than most, vacationing together in each other’s home countries at the end of the exchange program this past June. They called it “30 … Read More »

Celebrating 35 Years of NWSE

Oct 17 2022

As we kick-off the 2022-23 exchange season, we are excited to announce that this is NWSE’s 35th year sponsoring cultural exchange programs! To celebrate this milestone, we want to thank all the host families, exchange students, international partners, staff, coordinators, schools and school districts across the U.S. and around the world that have participated in and supported our program and … Read More »

Class of 2019/20 – It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See you Later!

Jun 10 2020

We can’t believe your NWSE program is coming to a close soon! Hopefully, you are already thinking about getting ready for your return home. With all the feelings of anticipation, sadness, and excitement piling up, things are likely getting a little stressful. Don’t worry! This is completely normal and ok! These feelings should tell you how close you have become … Read More »

NWSE Activity Guide Part 5 and Contest Winners

May 13 2020

Dear NWSE Community, We are so proud of all of you for working together and making these challenging times a positive experience! You have created close bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime. This week’s newsletter updates you about the NWSE fundraising campaign, suggests more fun ideas for activities, and – what you’ve been waiting for – announces the … Read More »

NWSE Activity Guide – Part 4

Apr 30 2020

Dear NWSE Community, As promised, NWSE is back and here to support you with more suggestions for fun activities. We also want to thank everyone who participated in our video and TikTok contest – we are reviewing all your great videos and will announce the winners shortly! NWSE Tip: Students and host families can enjoy most of the activities we … Read More »

Join the NWSE GoFundMe Campaign to support Student Exchange

Apr 27 2020

Support the NWSE GoFundMe Campaign Dear NWSE Community,  The NorthWest Student Exchange programs have been hit very hard by the coronavirus situation. We seek your support to help NWSE avert the full impact it will have on our programs. Already this year way too many of our students were forced to separate from their host families and schools, having seen their … Read More »

NWSE Activity Guide and Contest Reminder!

Apr 08 2020

Welcome to week 3 of NWSE’s activity newsletter! In this week’s edition, you will find more tips for cool online concerts, interesting virtual field trips, ideas to channel your creativity, and so much more! …. School Closure Video Contest Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Make a video or TikTok and win prizes! Simply follow the instructions on our contest … Read More »

NWSE in the Press – Vancouver Family Magazine

Apr 02 2020

Press coverage of NWSE taken from an article by Dana Greyson, published in the Vancouver Family Magazine on March 31, 2020   EXCHANGE RATE: UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS About six years ago, Vancouver mother Sara Hardy learned of a short-term student exchange opportunity through her twins’ school. Her family agreed to host two Taiwanese boys for just 48 hours. The … Read More »

NWSE Activity Guide and Contest Announcement

Mar 30 2020

We hope you are enjoying the suggested activities during this period of school closures! As promised, we are back! NWSE will continue to suggest cool activities during this temporary coronavirus situation, to help you remain positive and engaged with each other, yourselves and your program.   …. School Closure Video Contest Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Simply follow the … Read More »

NWSE March Newsletter – Activities for Everyone! – Part 1

Mar 24 2020

Dear NWSE Community, We want to extend our deep appreciation and gratitude to you as all of us join together to navigate the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation. First and foremost, we need to remember that this is a temporary situation. In that sense, let’s remain forward-thinking and positive while doing what we can to meet the challenges at hand in … Read More »

The Year of the DS-2019 with NorthWest Student Exchange

"The Year of the DS-2019" photo booth
Nov 22 2019

For 32 years, NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE) has promoted cultural exchange, foreign language study, and international education by offering meaningful and affordable exchange programs for high school students from around the world.  High school cultural exchanges foster international understanding and personal development, and provide new perspectives and insights into the world for everyone involved.   NWSE host families volunteer to open … Read More »

Understanding Reverse Culture Shock

Jun 25 2018

The school year is coming to an end, which means that you and other NWSE exchange students in the U.S. and around the world are preparing for your journeys home. It’s difficult to know what to expect at the end of an exchange program. Like most exchange students, you are probably thinking about the homemade meal you have been craving, or about … Read More »

“This completes my third year hosting as a double placement, and I would not even consider a placement through any other agency. The three of us got along delightfully and…

Lane from Washington, USA

“It is amazing how fast the students adapt to your home life and become just like your own son or daughter. They have personalities that bring a lot of different…

Mark from Utah, USA

“I think the greatest reward I got from my exchange was not only the better English skills but also every experience and lesson I had learned. It changed myself and…

Nawaporn from Thailand

“The greatest reward of my exchange was the relationship with my host families who would like to keep in touch and be a life time family.”

Juri from Japan
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