Shahjan Munir (YES ‘23, Pakistan) wrote the following tribute to his host family at the conclusion of his exchange year in 2023:

“While there are many different influences in my life, family is perhaps the most important. After all, they spend more time with me. I am grateful to my family that they made my exchange year the best year. I learned a lot by watching and listening to them. I appreciate their efforts and support that made me feel the world through the senses.

Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life. You all will be in my heart wherever I will be in the world so I am there for you all. I am so grateful to you all that you placed me in your heart.I will always be in your debt and grateful. You helped me to show up to the world for what I have been bestowed by Allah the Almighty. You have been like my natural family.

I wanted to share with you how thankful I am to have such a caring and compassionate family who I can always count on.”

You can read more about Shahjan, his host family, and host community here, and you can learn more about what it means to host an exchange student like Shahjan by watching the video below:

Rasheed Akparibo (YES ‘23, Ghana) was featured as the December YES Student of the Month in 2022. 

According to the nomination, Rasheed is an extraordinary young leader who proves you can do anything you set your mind to. During his program,he led his team in goals, received the 1st Team All City Honors (awarded to the best soccer players in the city) and the All-Academic Award, and was nominated for Fall Athlete of the Year ’22. He also strove to learn as much as he can during his exchange year and maintained stellar grades as a junior at his high school, earning a place on the Principal’s List.

He also developed a close relationship with his host mother, and in the words of his local YES representative, “Often there are students that impress, then there are those, like Rasheed, that inspire.” 

Learn more about Rasheed, his host family and school, and how you can invite an exchange student like Rasheed into your home and community by watching the video below: