Voices from people who host international ISC participants...

 "The spontaneous idea of being a host family, became manifest in an exciting week-long experience in 2019 with Rachel from Virginia, USA (Tailor Made Program with William & Mary), an open, warm-hearted student with a great interest in Germany.

We had profound conversations in English and German, that taught us more about different lifestyles, culture and current topics. We discovered similarities and differences, had some great laughs while always giving each other needed room despite the spatial vicinity.

 Thank you for giving me the chance of being a host mother, I really would like to remake this experience.“

"I’ve always wanted to support an international student since I know from my own experience how important a good base is. Exploring a foreign country is so much better when you know, that a cozy and safe place is waiting for you!

Alexander from North Carolina, USA (Tailor Made Program with William & Mary), and I got along great from the start. To take some time off from the classroom, we took weekend trips to Dresden and the Spreewald together. Furthermore, we explored Potsdam’s lakes and scavenged through the flea market at Mauerpark, Berlin where one could face the ultimate test of German language: bargaining with a local.

These six weeks have been great and I can only recommend potential host families to use this opportunity."

„When I took part in an exchange as student myself, I wasn’t really happy with my former host family. Therefore I decided, I will do better one day! When the UP was searching for host families in the Potsdam area a couple of years ago, I saw and took my chance.

In the past years, I’ve hosted three students for the ISC. All of them were completely different, language-, interest- and personality wise. To be with exchange students, who spend their first time in Germany, is a very refreshing experience. It’s a great opportunity to change perspective, rediscover the home town and also rethink one’s own habits.“