By Grace Housholder, KPC News

This story was adapted from the original version, which was published on KPCNews.com, a local news website serving northeast Indiana. All questions related to the article can be directed to the author, Grace Housholder.

Sweden. Jordan. The Philippines. Germany. Egypt. Italy. Indonesia.

East Noble High School has always been open to AFS exchange students, but never before has the school hosted seven.

The State Department calls exchange programs “public diplomacy.” The main goal of public diplomacy is to build bridges of understanding between nations and cultures.

Student exchange programs connect students, educators, athletes, emerging leaders and entrepreneurs from the U.S. with their counterparts in more than 160 countries around the world.

Examples of State Department-supported programs are the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program; the Fulbright Program, and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) in partnership with Germany. These and other programs provide opportunities for both U.S. students and international students to study and do research abroad. For more information see afsusa.org.

Ceudah (Fira) of Indonesia

(hosted by the Rev. Justin and the Rev. Phyllis Smoot family of Kendallville)

Best experience so far: So far, being a member of the soccer team is my best experience since I never played soccer before. And the team really helped me and taught me during practice. We do a lot of have fun together.

Activities: Girls soccer, volunteering in Feed Starving Children, Light the Night Walk, and helping dinner services in the Apple Tree Center. I plan to join girls basketball team for next season and I really want to do presentations about my country.

Something to know about Indonesia: My country has many regions with different cultures. We are diversity in unity. Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world with more than 18,000 islands. We have interesting nature. The Komodo dragon, found in Indonesia, is the largest lizard in the world, growing up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length.

Morshed of the Philippines

(hosted by Cathie Kreigh, Matt and Rose Rickey and Bob and LouAnne Pillers, all of Kendallville)

Best experience so far: Every first time is best for me! My first step on the American soil, my first kayaking and horseback riding in Pokagon, my first tennis match, my first seniors’ night, my first homecoming experience, and my first win in tennis are just small pieces of those best experiences so far.

Activities: East Noble Tennis team but since the season has ended, I am looking forward to joining the speech and debate club. I was a Light the Night volunteer and I really am looking forward to be involved in all community activities in Kendallville.

Something to know about the Philippines: The Philippines is a very diverse country in the southeast Asia with three major island groups which are composed of more than 7,000 gorgeous islands and are subdivided into 17 multiple regions with each region entirely different from each other as far as cultures, traits, peoples, beliefs and traditions are concerned. It is the only country in the world where you see an amazing blend of Spanish, Malay, Chinese and American folks!

Daniel of Egypt

(hosted by Terry and Grace Housholder of Kendallville and Lee and Teresa Richards of Rome City)

Best experience so far: When I was kayaking for the first time in my life (at Pokagon State Park) and at the tennis varsity invitational when it was a surprise to play (I was junior varsity) and I won!

Activities: Tennis, ping pong, bicycling, volunteering, and I hope to do archery, swimming and manage the girls tennis team.

Something to know about Egypt: We don’t ride camels to work! Christians and Muslims live side by side in peace. We wear normal clothes and eat cheeseburgers!

Juliet of Jordan

(hosted by Reagan and Vickie Smith of Kendallville)

Best experience so far: My best experience so far would be meeting all the new people. I meet new people every day. They’re all nice and sweet too. Also, I would say Apple Festival was one of the best experiences and especially volunteering there was fun!

Activities: I’m in Key club. I’m also in soccer and I’m going to be managing boys basketball in the winter and I’m doing track in the spring.

Something to know about Jordan: Jordan has 1 of the 7 wonders of the world, Petra. Jordanians are very hospitable with friends, family and even strangers.