Exchange Student Thanks Community, Host Family

My name is Thea Nielsen and I'm a World Heritage Exchange Student from Denmark.

This past year I've been living in Peachtree Corners with my wonderful host family and I have been attending Norcross High School.

I almost can't begin to describe how amazing this past year has been for me and I really had the experience of a lifetime!

I have really enjoyed talking to my classmates, my American family and all the people I've met, about the differences in Denmark, and I loved learning about the American culture. I feel like I have really become a part of your community and that is because everyone has been so incredibly friendly and open to me.

I would not have had the amazing time that I've had were it not for the many students at Norcross High School who have been very interested in my country and my culture, but at the same time have helped me adjust to your way of living.

Ever since I got here, I have been attending Peachtree Corners Baptist Church and the people there mean the world to me! I would like to thank them and let them know that I appreciate everything they have done for me.

When I have been feeling homesick or just had a bad day, PCBC has really been the place that has brought me so much joy. The friends I've made there have a very special place in my heart and I cannot imagine leaving them!

Now I would just like to say thank you to my host family, Andrea and Dru Ferris. When I was still in Denmark I had so many visions and dreams about what my host family would be like and they have truly shown to be so much more than I could ever dream of!

I've had a blast with them, and they really are like a family to me. I have enjoyed getting to know them! They have taken me so many places and just really opened up their home for me, and shown me a perfect example of the American culture!

I could keep going on and on about this past year but the truth is that words would never really define what this year has meant to me. There has been created so many new memories during this year, and I can barely remember it all! 

I would like to encourage families reading this to host exchange students, because there are a lot of young boys and girls like me out there whose biggest dream is to go to America and experience your culture.

This has been a year full of memories, fun, learning, excitement, growing and much more and I would love for other exchange students to have the same awesome experience in America that I had!  

If you are interested you can contact my local World Heritage Area Representative Kelly Blake at 770-616-6712 or visit www.whHosts.com for more information. 

Editor's note: Thea Nielsen attended NHS as a sophomore. She plans on returning to Denmark in mid June.

About World Heritage Exchange: Established in 1980, World Heritage Exchange's purpose is to provide intercultural understanding through youth exchange programs. The organization is headquartered in Laguna Beach, Calif.