Ayusa

06/03/2026

🌎 WHO'S WAITING WEDNESDAY 🌎

Thinking about hosting but not quite ready to commit to a full school year? This could be the perfect opportunity for your family!

Meet Julia from Brazil, a fun-loving student who is looking for a host family for just 5 months! A 5-month placement is a great way to "try hosting" and experience the joy of cultural exchange on a shorter timeline.

Hosting doesn't require a perfect family, just a caring one willing to share their everyday life and open their heart to a student from across the world. 💚

📩 Interested in learning more about Julia or hosting an exchange student? Send us a message today!

06/02/2026

Your Evenings Are Packed. So Let's Talk During the Day.

Summer is here, and between camps, kids, vacations, practices, and everything else on the calendar, your evenings may already be spoken for.

That's why we're bringing our Ayusa Virtual Open House to the daytime.

📅 Tuesday, June 16
⏰ 10:30 AM PST

Have you ever thought:

Could my family host an exchange student?
What does hosting actually look like day-to-day?
What support would we have?
Can we really make a difference in a student's life?

Join us for a casual conversation with some current Ayusa host families. No pressure. No commitment. Just real stories, honest answers, and a chance to see if hosting could be right for your family.

One conversation could be the start of a life-changing adventure for your family and for a student waiting for a place to belong. 🌎

Reserve your spot today and bring your questions. We're making time for you.

https://ayusa-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/R4Soy2elQROfloY4hKbyUw

05/31/2026

What makes Ayusa different? Local support that truly knows you. 💚

They can recognize their students just by hearing them say “hi” in their native language.

That’s the kind of connection that happens when exchange students and host families are supported by people who genuinely care.

Because at Ayusa, you’re not just part of a program… you’re part of our Ayusa Family 💚

05/23/2026

🌟 HOST FAMILY FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT: The Camacho Family 🌟

Meet the Camacho family... a loud, loving, always-on-the-go family of four who opened their home and hearts to a student from Ukraine 🇺🇦

Between running their nonprofit boxing gym, busy family life, and spending most evenings ringside, the Camachos already had full schedules… but they still made room for something life-changing: hosting an exchange student.

And honestly? They wouldn’t trade it for anything.

This boxing-loving family thrives on energy, connection, and adventure. Whether they’re traveling somewhere new, cheering each other on in the gym, or simply doing everyday life together, they believe the best memories are made when people feel included.

So what inspired them to host?

It started with a little bit of FOMO 😄

“I was tired of watching my best friends enjoy all the culture they were absorbing from their exchange students.”

One “yes” later, their family grew in a way they never expected.

Hosting brought new traditions, new perspectives, and a whole new appreciation for the world right into their home. What started as curiosity quickly became one of the most meaningful experiences they’ve ever had.

Their advice to future host families?

💬 “Do it... you have nothing to lose!! Best experience ever.”

The Camacho family reminds us that you don’t need a perfect schedule or a quiet life to host. Sometimes the busiest homes are the ones filled with the most love, laughter, and unforgettable memories 💚

05/22/2026

Host families make these moments possible.
Not because they have to be perfect. Not because they have all the answers. But because they choose to say yes to connection, culture, and giving a student a place to call home.

There are still students waiting and hoping for this same phone call. Maybe your family could be the reason for someone else’s life-changing moment. 💚

05/19/2026

🌟Student Spotlight: Josephine Manhart... From Germany to Texas 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸

When Josephine Manhart had the choice to either skip her junior year or spend a year abroad, she decided to take a chance on something completely new.

At her school in Germany, students were offered a unique opportunity: stay on the traditional path… or take a leap into the unknown and become an exchange student. For Josephine, the answer came pretty quickly.

“I thought, hey, that sounds cool, so I signed up for it.”

That one decision brought her from Germany all the way to Texas for an exchange year she says she’ll never forget.

One of the biggest surprises for Josephine has been the American school system. Back home in Germany, students usually follow a much more fixed schedule, so arriving in the U.S. and seeing students choose different course levels and electives felt completely new to her.

Her exchange year quickly became about much more than just school. It became about experiences, friendships, and making memories she’ll carry forever.

Her favorite memory so far was traveling to Hawaii on her Belo trip. 🌺🌊

“I met a lot of amazing people and saw probably one of the most beautiful places on earth. That might have been the best week of my life so far.”

As her exchange year continues, Josephine already knows saying goodbye will be difficult. When asked what she will miss she shared:

“Probably everything! I think I’m even going to miss the things that I don’t like right now, because it’s just part of this life that I’ll have to leave behind.”

And maybe that’s the real sign of a life-changing exchange year... when even the ordinary moments become things you never want to forget. 💚

05/18/2026

05/14/2026

🌟Student Spotlight: Pola Adamiak from Poland 🇵🇱➡️🇺🇸

When Pola Adamiak left Poland for her exchange year in Missouri, she hoped to improve her language skills, experience a different culture, meet new people, and challenge herself in new ways. What she didn’t expect was just how much the experience would change her.

One of the first things that surprised Pola about life in America was how dependent everything is on cars. “I was really surprised that you can’t get anywhere without a car,” she shared.

Throughout her exchange year, Pola embraced every opportunity that came her way. One of her favorite memories was traveling to California with other exchange students, where she visited Los Angeles and San Francisco. San Francisco quickly became one of her favorite places during her time in the United States.

Like many exchange students, Pola experienced both exciting moments and difficult days along the way. Her advice to future exchange students is to stay open-minded and keep pushing forward.

“Take every opportunity you have, even the one that seems weird to you. Be yourself and don’t give up. Some days are going to be hard, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.”

She also encourages future host families to be patient and supportive by helping students get involved in activities and encouraging them to try new things.

As her exchange year comes to an end, the hardest part about returning home will be saying goodbye to the friendships she built along the way. “I’m going to miss my friends a lot.”

Thank you, Pola, for sharing your exchange story with us and for making Missouri a little more connected to the world.💚

05/14/2026

✨ Teamwork Thursday Spotlight: Jesse Thompson ✨

This week, we’re spotlighting Jesse Thompson from the Central Region!

Jesse has served as a Community Representative in international student exchange since 2013 and joined Ayusa in 2023. His passion for young adults, cultural exchange, and meaningful relationships shines through in everything he does.

What inspired him to become a CR? A blend of ministry, a love for travel and culture, and a desire to continue investing in people’s lives in a meaningful way. What began as an opportunity for extra income quickly became something much deeper.

“I am inspired by families who understand there is a big world out there and they really can be a part of making another person’s dream come true.”

Jesse loves helping host families and students build connections that often last for years and even span continents. One especially meaningful relationship? Hearing from his “daughter” from Mali, who still messages him with a simple “Hi dad…”

When asked about favorite Ayusa memories, Jesse pointed to the friendships he’s built with fellow team members and leaders.

“I have made some amazing friends and I love being able to meet up and just have fun together!”

His advice for anyone considering hosting or becoming a CR:

“Reward doesn’t come without risk. Growth doesn’t happen without effort. Confidence never rises without anxiety. So, I say go for it!”

Outside of Ayusa, Jesse enjoys time with his wife Joy, his adult children, sons-in-law, and three adorable granddaughters. He also serves in full-time pastoral ministry, is pursuing his MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and enjoys pickleball whenever possible.

Thank you, Jesse, for your heart, leadership, and dedication to students and families around the world. We’re thankful to have you on the Ayusa team! 💚🌎