"This experience was amazing!  I learned a great deal about French culture, and my language skills also improved.  I was lucky to have a fabulous family and meet other interesting students. All in all, I learned alot and had fun!"
Margaret B. - student to France, 2005
 
"I had a wonderful time and it is an experience that I will never forget.  Many of the French residents I came in contact with commented on my ability to speak French well, which clearly showed me that I had improved and am on my way to speaking French more thoroughly."
Gabrielle H. - student to France, 2005
 
"I had a wonderful time in France and with my host family.  They made me feel welcome as soon as I stepped in the door.  This exchange program made me more sure of myself and helped me to realize what I am capable of."
Emily K. - student to France, 2005
 
"This was the biggest, most fun, and most valuable experiences of my life.  I didn't leave home, I found a new one.  I was prepared to struggle and have to try really hard, and was surprised to discover how easy it was to make friends and blend into the host family, and also how quickly my language skills improved."
Lindsay V. - student to France, 2005 
 
"It was something I'm very glad I did.  Being completed immersed in a culture forces you to adapt and learn.  My host family was wonderful and I was paired up nicely.  I can't begin to explain how much I learned of the language, people, culture, etc.  If one truly wants to learn about another country, I think that this is the only way to do it."
Ashley W. - student to France, 2005
 
"This experience was the best of my life. I would be honored to assist the Terra Lingua USA state coordinator in speaking to students and promoting the program. The state coordinator and local representative were great and helpful people."
Tom T. - student to Germany, 2004

"Overall a very positive, enriching experience."
Ally P. - student to France, 2004

"Thank you very much for helping me find this program overseas and helping me have a good experience. My host family was great, the school and class were good, and I made friends that I still talk to. It was one of the best experiences ever."
Jessie R. - student to Ireland, 2004

"I learned so much about the little differences in French culture and also broader aspects of it all. In one month I forged a cherished friendship [with my host family] and had an educational experience to boot."
Brittany C. - student to France, 2004

"This experience was so incredibly amazing for me. It was like I was living in a painting for four weeks. Every aspect of life seemed so beautiful! I assimilated into the culture and my host family without any problem whatsoever. I learned to much about the language and culture."
Whitney S. - student to France, 2000

"This was an incredible experience. I loved my family and learned so much about myself and the culture. I will definitely go again."
Olivia H. - student to France, 2001

"I think I have grown a lot in my understanding of French culture and the language. I had a great time with my host family and with the other exchange students. I'm looking forward to returning in a few years."
Jennifer B. - student to France, 2002

"Thank you very much. This experience has changed me. I have met some of what I know will be my best friends for a long time."
Chelsea D. - student to France, 2000

"It was a wonderful experience!  I had an amazing life and I'm glad to be an exchange student this year."
Angela W. - Taiwanese student, school year 2004-2005
 
"My host family treated me as a part of the family and I consider them as my American family.  The exchange experience is great, not always easy, but it really give you something, makes you grow up.  I really think I had the best experience I could have.  My family was great - caring, loving and fun.  My advice to future exchange students? Be aware that 10 months is shorter than you think, enjoy it as much as you can because it doesn't last."
Sarah F. - French student, school year 2004-2005 
 
"I think of my host parents as my parents and they think of me as their daughter.  I think our relationship is really good.  We could talk about alot of important things.  My advice to future exchange students?  Just accept everything, learn as fas as you can and as much as you can."
Gyongyver F. - Romanian student, school year 2004-2005
 
"My relationship to my host family was close.  I became a new member of a new family.  That's why I had to obey the same rules as the other kids with me.  it made me feel as a real family member."
Steve D. - French student, school year 2004-2005
 
"My advice to future students: Forget everything you are used to. Forget everything you have heard about America. Just take the chance and jump into the cold water. After awhile, it will start feeling good and you won't want to step out of it."
Moritz B. - German student, school year 2003 - 2004

"I would tell future students to enjoy every moment here because it's too short. This year went by so fast. Now I speak English, I have friends for life. I even think and dream in English. Thanks Terra Lingua!"
Pauline R. - French student, school year 2003 - 2004

"I learned a lot during the months in the U.S. — not just about culture, but about life. I gained experiences that helped me and will help me in my future life. I am grateful for this experience and highly recommend it to anyone who is not afraid of leaving their comfort zone. When I grow up and have kids, I will definitely encourage them to try this."
Eneth-Agota K. - Romanian student, semester 2004

"The program is a great experience and Terra Lingua guided me safely through the obstacles I encountered. My advice to future students: be open and receptive! Don't try to make the environment adapt to your habits, be flexible. Learn from observations positive or negative!"
Tim K. - German student, school year 2003 - 2004

"I had a very good relationship with my host family. We had a lot of fun together. They helped me a lot to improve my English. They are like my second family. The teachers were great, I made awesome friends...it just took me a couple of weeks to adapt to my new life. One of the most valuable things was the chance to improve my English and knowledge about this country, and the experiences that made me learn about myself, become more mature and appreciate more stuff. Thank you for making this kind of experience possible. It was great!"
Ane C. -  Spanish student, school year 2003 - 2004

A letter to Terra Lingua USA state coordinator:
"Thank you so much for everything you did for me this year. I had so much (you can't even imagine), and I'm sure a lot of it is because of you. I hope I'll see you again. Keep in touch...from your dear French guy."
Roman L. - French student, school year 2003 - 2004

"This is such a wonderful experience.  Give it a try.  Open your heart and home and your life will be touched."
Morgan Family - academic hosts 2004-2005
 
"Our hosting experience was excellent.  Angela became a part of our family and will always have a place in our home.  Our advice to future host families is to enjoy every minute with your student and do lots of things with them because watching the look on their faces when they learn new things is so rewarding."
Stokke Family - academic hosts 2004-2005
 
"Irune was great, very flexible and easy to be with.  She played well with our kids.  Day by day she became a part of our family.  She opened up more, laughed more - a delightful girl."
Cress Family - summer hosts 2005
 
"Our student responded very well to everyday life.  We got a chance to know Natalia, a wonderful girl, and a friendship and real bond started between her and our daughters.  Saying good-bye and sending her home was difficult - not enough time with her.  We wish we could all go to Spain now."
Leonard Family - summer hosts 2005
 
"The most difficult part of our experience?  Benjamin leaving.  He became a part of the family."
Pulsifer Family - summer hosts, 2005
 
"Sixtine was our 4th exchange student and was exceptionally friendly and eager to learn. She was extremely helpful and great at trying to learn our slang and idoms. She really became a member of the family! We all miss her."
McCleary Family - summer hosts, 2004

"Our student responded well to everday life. Jesus was very helpful with chores and polite. He became part of the family, was very easy-going, quick to smile."
Martin Family - summer hosts, 2004

"We had a wonderful time. We spent many evenings discussing the differences between American and French culture. Our only bad experience was watching Vincent leave to go home. We had become so attached in just 30 days, it was like losing one of our own children."
Stingel Family - summer hosts, 2000

"This was a wonderful experience for our family. I think we were very lucky to get Stephane. He was a joy to have as part of our family. Everything went very smoothly. Thank you."
Watsom family - summer hosts, 2001

"Hosting has been one of the richest rewards we have ever had. What a delightful woman! She will continue to be a part of our family forever! We love her! Thank you for sending her to us."
Dautel family - summer hosts, 2001

"I just want to thank the whole Terra Lingua team for all the work making our trip work so smoothly. All your reps that I have met so far have a lot of heart and are very cheerful."
Richard S. - French teacher and group leader to France, 2001

"I want to thank all those who made every effort to make our journey very special. Let's plan the next one!"
Richard C. - French teacher and group leader to France, 2001 and 2005