Testimonials
Our family has been participating in the EMY program for the past 6 years. These kids become part of your family before they even arrive. They are the most polite and gracious kids I have ever met. They will come into your home and you will feel like they have always been there. My girls wait each year for July to come and we all cry when the kids leave. We have made new friends in the families we meet as well as the kids from Spain. We still keep in touch with all of them. It is just a simply incredible program."
Amy Carpenter
I was lucky enough to host 3 students in the matter of 5 years. How? The first student came back 2 more times. That’s right we connected so well with our first student that he was with us for 3 summers straight! These kids come over and immerse in our culture. It didn’t matter what I did. Whether spending the day cleaning the house or taking a ride to an unknown location I never knew existed to show our student our state. These kids appreciate you more then your kids do sometimes, lol."
Brenda Bushey
"We LOVED having a Spanish exchange student! Ane was great with my 8-year-old daughter, immediately stepping in as her "big sister." We found ourselves bonding more as a family too, taking time out to do fun excursions that we probably wouldn't have done otherwise. And, we became great friends with the other host families! I can't say enough great things about the experience! We keep in touch with Ane on a regular basis and look forward to seeing her again in the future! We are so excited to experience this all over again this summer!!"
Jessica Doyle
The summer we met Jokin, my family’s lives changed forever. We were nervous yet excited about having a stranger from another country come live with us for a month. But after a few days, he became part of the family. Monopoly, ironically, was what brought Jokin, my brothers and I together. A game that is stereotypically used as a joke for tearing friendships and families apart made our bond grow. The next few weeks were filled with laughter and joy. Jokin didn’t only become a member of my immediate family, but made bonds with my grandma, aunt and uncle, and cousins. Jokin wasn’t the only person we grew a bond with that summer. From the other students on the trip to the other families who took a student into their homes, my family and I created life-long relationships with everyone. Jokin came back 2 more summers after his original visit. He is literally a brother from another mother."
Grace Kane
Hosting a student from another country was eye opening for my family and I. We learned so much about the culture and now have so many people we call family over in Spain. I am so glad we stepped out of our comfort zone and did this because I would not trade it for the world."
Katelyn Smith
Our family of 5 quickly became a family of 6 when we met Nerea and Iratxe for the past two summers. Each summer we were blessed beyond measure with the kindness and love these kids have. Not only did we get to enjoy someone else's company but it brought our own family together. This experience is like no other! We welcomed them with open arms and they embraced it and truly impacted our lives. We keep in contact with these kids. We exchange well wishes, birthday wishes, holiday wishes and most of all, many, many "I miss you" moments. Departure day is the hardest day and will never be easy but rest assured you truly cherish the memories!"