Camille Amberger, a 16-year-old NSHSS member, had never thought about hosting an exchange student before. She had, however, dreamt about going abroad herself and always wondered what it would be like. So when she got an email from NSHSS about the opportunity to host an international high school student through AFS, she was intrigued. Intrigue led to a text to her mom, which led to looking at the AFS students who were coming to her area in the fall. A short 48 hours later, it was confirmed: Constanca, a 16 year old from Portugal, would be joining the Amberger family for the 2014-2015 school year.

“I wanted to see what it’s like to have a sibling from another country,” Camille says of the experience. “I wanted the cultural insight, and wanted to meet someone new!”

Constanca joined Camille and her family for the full school year, going to school where Camille went. Not only did the sisters become close as the year went on, the whole family gained unique insight into another culture and benefitted from gaining a new family member. “The opportunity to absorb and love one more child is something that we just could not turn down,” Camille’s mother says.

2,350 international high school students from more than 90 different countries are coming to the US this fall. To learn how your family can welcome one of these students into your home, go to www.afsusa.org/nshss-host.