“I always admired the American culture, and when I was sixteen year old, I had the opportunity to become an exchange student, and I didn’t think twice. I went to Hinesville, Georgia, in 2012 and had an amazing host family and good friends that helped me. It was there that I learned to become more independent. I’m so thankful for that time and being able to learn the language and culture. When I came back to my country I had some job opportunities because of my fluency in English, including the opportunity to be an interpreter. Today I’m a police officer in my country!”

– Felipe Atanazio Pires from Brazil, 2011–12