Every time I introduce my exchange student to someone, I struggle with what to say. She’s more than my friend, and not quite my relative, but definitely my sister.

Unbeknownst to many students, New Trier hosts five foreign exchange students each year through the American Field Service Intercultural Programs, or AFS for short. The organization started as a volunteer service that provided medical support in World War I. Today, it provides opportunities for students to study internationally. Volunteers work with students to place them in appropriate homes and schools, along with ensuring that their transition is as smooth as possible.

Last year, my family decided to host an exchange student from Portugal named Francisca for the 2024-25 school year, and it is a decision that we will never regret.

We submitted our application in the spring, and it consisted of information such as our living situation and typical schedules. After our application was accepted, we were given a list of students who fit New Trier’s academic status and our family’s requirements, such as being okay with pets. From there, we selected someone who seemed like the best fit for our family and were given her contact information. This part of the process occurred around June, and we continued communicating with her and her family throughout the summer.

In early August, we met Francisca in person for the first time while picking her up from the airport. The first days were a blur of anxiety and excitement, but shifted towards pure joy as we got to know her.

As someone who has grown up with two older brothers who are now in college, their absence has left my house eerily quiet. This was one of the reasons why my family considered hosting an exchange student: it felt like there was something or someone missing. My parents are also able to provide rides and attend her activities because they have fewer kids living at home than in previous years.

I love that I’m getting a sister for a year, which is something I never would’ve experienced otherwise. Francisca is like a built-in best friend because we are the same age but are in different grades in the U.S. New Trier places all exchange students in senior advisories so that they can participate in fun traditions like wearing Green Team hoodies and the graduation ceremony. However, they can still take sophomore, junior, or senior-level classes.

Living with someone from a different part of the world also means that you are able to learn about their culture. I’ve learned a few Portuguese words, heard about life in Lisbon, and am hoping to visit Francisca when she is back in Portugal next year.

A significant number of New Trier students have never lived outside of the US, with only 15% of Wilmette’s population being foreign-born and 18% speaking a language other than English at home. Hosting an exchange student is a great way to expand your horizons by learning about other cultures. It also gives you an excuse to travel abroad.

Of course, adding an extra person to the household can be costly. It means that you have to account for one more person for each meal or trip. Some families may also find that their kids don’t get along with their foreign student. Whether this is due to personality differences or jealousy, it can certainly be difficult to navigate these relationships.

However, AFS is equipped for every situation possible. Every exchange student has a liaison, a non-family member who checks up with them at least once a month to ensure that they are thriving in their new home. This liaison also serves as a backup host parent if necessary.

While it may seem like a long time, a year is the perfect amount of time to spend abroad as an exchange student. Students don’t miss out on any aspect of the American high school experience, and if you end up not liking your new family member, you only have to put up with them for a year! I’m joking… sort of.

If you are interested in hosting an exchange student, learn more about the AFS program here. The website also includes information about becoming an exchange student yourself, though New Trier doesn’t have an organized exchange in the other direction.

Overall, the exchange is a win-win; students get to experience high school in a new country, and host families get to learn about the student’s culture and introduce them to their own. I have loved rediscovering all of the traditions and must-sees on the North Shore, such as visiting the Bahá’í Temple or going to a pumpkin patch before Halloween. Seeing this area through an exchange student’s eyes has made me appreciate living here and attending New Trier. And, of course, I love spending time with Francisca.