Liz Nelson, EF Coordinator

Bring the world to your home.
Host an exchange student this fall
Eric Clapp EF

Happy 4th of July!

I can’t believe this was two years ago. I miss all of you! I thought of all of you today when we were at Discovery Kingdom today. It’s a little different from two years ago. Rides are closed and we have to social distance plus wear masks.

Opening presents from our Swedish daughter was so much fun. We will forever have bond. We miss her so much.

Last year we went searching for the perfect tree to chop down. This is one of our favorite family traditions. What’s your favorite tradition?

One of my favorite fall traditions that I or hosting for my exchange students is pumpkin carving. Host an exchange student and share your fall traditions for the fall of 2021.
estudent

Yesterday our family went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze. The corn maze was 3 miles long. We relied on my hubby to guide us. This is usually a Fall family tradition we take our exchange students to. We are looking forward to sharing this tradition next year. This corn maze big and we had a fun family outing. If you look closely you will see there are bumps on the ground from where they plant the corn. We had to make sure not to trip and fall. Always watch where you are going. Happy Fall or Autumn.
What tradition are you looking forward in doing this Fall?

Our Swedish daughter is on the first picture.

Never late to say Happy Grandparents day to all the exchange grandparents day out there. A special one to my mom who is in the picture with our Slovakian son from the class of 2018

Three years ago we welcomed our first exchange student from Slovakia. We were on vacation in LA and he joined us on our vacay. It was a fun start!
It was a new experience for us as a host family and teen parents. The experience was like surf waves. Fun at times and sometimes challenging. Communication is very important and we did that a lot. Although we didn’t agree at times it’s learning from one another on the expectations. With love and understanding we got through through it and became a family. As a coordinator I tooK that challenging time into consideration for future host families that would be hosting a student. We learned a lot about Slovakia and love halusky. Overall our first exchange experience ended great. Our son had the hardest time saying goodbye. He cried for days. The prior Months before he was the one who wanted him to leave. All it took was for both of them to have some time to connect. They built legos and a puzzle together. Plus they had hockey! We love him and treated him as our own child. He didn’t like it when we would say he was a kid but he really was only a kid at 16. He was our Slovakian son❤️🇸🇮

See more of California one beach at a time.

Host an exchange student next year 2021 and share your favorite beaches with your student! Send me a DM for more details.

It is with heavy hearts that EF High School Exchange Year announced the cancellation of our U.S. exchange program this fall. We were optimistic we could fulfill students’ dreams, and we began preparing students and host families virtually for what exchange might look like in unique circumstances.

It has become clear through the continued spread of COVID-19 and the additional logistical requirements of the Department of State that cancelling the fall program is the most responsible option. Our global teams are currently working to contact those affected by this decision.

While we are all saddened that students and host families won’t have the opportunity to bond at a backyard barbecue or experience the first day of school, we are optimistic about the future. Many of our students have decided to defer their exchange experience to next year, and it will take our entire global family working together to bring those dreams of exchange to life.
Will you be part of that journey?

EF High School Exchange Year

I am bringing Sweden to Danville California! I am so excited to be bringing an exchange student into our community. I will be her volunteer coordinator and it will be fun to have Fika’s. Do you know what a Fika is? Want to learn more aboit Swedish traditions? Such as midsummer or Saint Lucia? Or learn more about another culture. Host an exchange student and have a lifetime experience!

I was on a podcast a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun. Want to know more about hosting an exchange student? Please listen to podcast Bring people together through cultural exchange.

Episode 8: Education First High School Exchange Year Program - SanRaMOMs Guest Speaker Liz Nelson with Education First High School Exchange Year Program.

This is one of many memories of last year when we were saying see you later to one of my Italian exchange students. As a coordinator I always try to treat each of my students as a family member. I wish we could host each one I choose to bring to the SF Bay Area California. Since I can’t I always make sure to find the best host family that matches the same interests at the student. Our kids get attached too and often we have exchange students go on trips with us if we have room to bring them.
Host an exchange student and you will have a lifetime experience that will change your life!

When exchange students say they want to see the world, what they mean is, they want to see YOUR world. Your small everyday moments make a big lifetime impact. Host an Exchange student and make an impact in your life!

Share Your Everyday Life Hosting an exchange student doesn't take anything fancy—just a warm, welcoming spirit and the love you'd give to your own family. For our exchange students, ...

Our Swedish daughter finally received her cap and gown in the mail in Sweden that we mailed to her. It wasn’t supposed to end this way. We were supposed to see her graduate and and all the class of 2020 but because of Rona it all came fo an end so suddenly. Life throws us curve balls and we just have to keep catching what we can.
We love you Vilma! Congratulations! Or in Swedish they say Grattis!

Today was the memory drive for our Swedish daughter’s high school. We cheered for all seniors!

Memorial Day! Remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our first exchange student was from Slovakia. He played ice hockey for the high school he attended and also for club house hockey nearby. Playing a sport gives you the opportunity to make lifelong friends. Our kids miss playing hockey.
What sport do you miss playing?

Today my last student in our group has returned home.
I am so sad that their exchange year was cut short. The great memories and friendships you all made will be with you forever. The love and bond you and your host families shared is what makes it especially hard to see you leave so suddenly. I hope to see you all soon again. I am proud of all you and so glad I brought you to California!

A piece of our hearts are in Sweden. 🇸🇪💔
We said see you later to our Swedish daughter today. Her exchange year was cut 2 months short bc of the Corona virus. All of her dreams and our plans shattered. We are strong and hopeful! We made so many memories and will have those to keep us going. Vilma will be our forever daughter and we are her American family. We thank her for being a great role model to our kids and for being a great sister to them. We all miss you! We love you and we will see you soon! ❤️

My half year students are here! I met with them and their host families tonight.
If you ever thought about hosting and can’t do a full year. Host a half year student!
Contact me for more details

Host an exchange student and bring the world into your home! 🌎
Eric Clapp EF

I placed a half year spring student in the beautiful SF Bay Area. The host family are empty nesters which means they have grown kids that are out of the house and in college. They are so happy to open their home to host an exchange student and show the student the American culture and their community. They are looking forward to welcoming their student and sight see the beautiful Bay Area.
Send me a DM about hosting an exchange student! Bring the world to your community!

Happy New Year! You have 365 more of these beautiful sunsets until 2021. Make sure to stop and enjoy them as often as you can. Don’t let the sun go down without pausing once in a while.

So much fun to share holiday traditions with my exchange students. My students and their host families had a fun time talking, making gingerbread houses and the students participated in the white elephant gift exchange. Each student made or brought something to share to eat from their home country.
Host an exchange student and learn about their culture. You will get to share your holiday traditions with them.
Ask me for details!

Are you interested in hosting an exchange student but can’t do the entire school year? Well now is your chance! Host a spring student! Send me a DM for more information.