As Paula Wasmuth steps into a forehand swing during her varsity doubles match at the district tennis courts, and later transitions with ease to a fan watching another match while resting her head on the shoulder of a teammate, one would never guess that she is a German exchange student. Wasmuth, studying as a junior at CHS, is so immersed in the community that only if you are paying close attention would her slight accent give her away.
Arriving to Leavenworth in August from the small town of Wolfschlugen, just south of Stuttgart, and staying with the Runions family, Wasmuth reflects that: “Overall, I didn’t set high expectations for my exchange experience so that I wouldn’t be disappointed if a certain something I would imagine happening didn’t happen. You know, like expecting that new friends or a dance or school itself would be the best thing I’ve ever experienced. But, as it turns out, I’ve absolutely loved hanging with my new friends, participating in so many activities, and all the cultural differences.”
In an increasingly interconnected world, high school exchange programs avail a transformative opportunity for students eager to expand their horizons beyond the confines of their hometowns by offering them the chance to live and study in a foreign country for a semester or an entire academic year.
In an increasingly interconnected world, high school exchange programs avail a transformative opportunity for students eager to expand their horizons beyond the confines of their hometowns by offering them the chance to live and study in a foreign country for a semester or an entire academic year.
These programs, such as the non-profit Education First, through which Wasmuth connected with the Runions, not only foster cross-cultural understanding but can also help equip young people with the skills needed to thrive in a globalized society. Participants immerse themselves in a new culture, adapt to different educational systems, and often pick up a new language. These experiences are more than just educational—they can be life-changing. “If you open your mind to new opportunities and challenges, there is a lot to be gained,” opines Spanish exchange student Nora Garcia-Urkiri.
Garcia, hailing from Deva, in the Basque country of northern Spain, advises that those gains do not necessarily come with ease: “to be honest, the school and language have been difficult for me, as has been the cliques. In Spain, we all hang out together. Here people form those small groups and exclude others from them. However, I remind myself that people live different ways in different places and that’s why I am here.”
Students who participate in exchange programs not only often develop enhanced communication skills, greater independence, and more appreciation for diversity, they usually return home with a sense of maturity and self-confidence that sets them apart from their peers. Moreover, exchange students cultivate empathy and global awareness. Living with host families, attending local schools, and participating in community activities help students understand and respect cultural differences.
CHS sophomore Eli Fortney is finishing up an exchange year, sponsored by Rotary International Youth Exchange program, in Soracco, Columbia, which is northeast of Bogotá toward the county’s border with Venezuela. He is living a town-and-country life in Soracco with his host family who reside in the municipality during the week and then typically retreat to their farm on weekends. In addition to time in the classroom and among the cows and fruit trees, Fortney plays on his school’s futsal team (soccer on a smaller field with five per side), members of which have become his close friends. “My experience has been incredible,” he relays. “This has been the best year of my life and has opened my perspective so much.”
As globalization continues to shape our world, the demand for high school exchange programs is expected to rise. Educational institutions and governments are recognizing the value of these programs and are investing in their expansion. Scholarships and financial aid options are becoming more widely available, making these opportunities accessible to a broader range of students.
For students considering an exchange program, the message is clear: the experience can be a pivotal part of your education and personal development. As Wasmuth aptly submits, “it’s not a year in a life, but a life in a year.”
For more information on high school exchange programs:
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