07/30/2025
Happy International Day of Friendship! 🌺🌍
From Hawai‘i to the world Today we’re celebrating friendships that cross oceans, languages, and borders. The kind of friendships that start in a host home and last a lifetime.
Because when we welcome someone new, we gain so much more than a guest — we gain a friend. 💫
Slide One: The Exchange ExperienceMy exchange year was the most monumental year of my life. I say this ten years later, having graduated from high school, completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and moved across three different countries. Whenever I need to make a big decision, I keep coming back to that year. It played a defining role in shaping the courage I carry with me today
The generosity of my host family and the IHC exchange office, the friendships I made — both local and international — and the countless opportunities that arose from that year all left a lasting impact. I will be eternally grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to go.
- Former FLEX Student
Slide Two: The Closeness of a Host Family
I met a wonderful couple almost 7 years ago- Barbara and Michael. From the very first moment they treated me as a son of their own. I did not expect anything but they definitely exceeded any my expectations.
How they did their best just for me definitely shaped me as an adult and gave the courage and determination to strive for more for years! From the very first meal at Wendy’s through karaoke night till my call from Ukraine when the full-scale invasion started - they have been always there for me and I did my best to be there for them.
- Former FLEX Student pictured with his family
Slide Three: A host family sharing the Christmas tradition of building gingerbread houses 🏠🎄
Become a part of this experience by hosting an outstanding FLEX/YES student! We are urgently searching for Hawaii hosts for Muhammed from Jordan 🇯🇴 (August 22), Zoya from Armenia 🇦🇲 (August 28), and Olesia from Ukraine 🇺🇦 (starting October 18). These are full-scholarship students on J-1 visas.
Share your culture and make a lifelong friend with these wonderful students today! See our other posts for more information on each student, and don’t hesitate to reach out via email to [email protected]
