Reflections International

Reflections International (RI) was founded to facilitate the exchange of secondary school students between Europe and Wisconsin (United States).  RI is also available to assist students from other select countries with their program year. The students have to be between 15 and 18 years old. They stay for either one semester or a complete school year, attending high school in the United States while living with a host family.  RI is dedicated to building bridges between the people of the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and other select countries in Europe, South America, and Asia.  RI embraces its role in replacing stereotypes with familiarity and understanding. The students are given the opportunity to acquire knowledge of life in the United States, especially regarding education, family, and community.  They are a dynamic part of promoting the general interest of international educational and cultural exchange between world citizens.  The host families are given the opportunity to expand their knowledge and experience with other cultures while developing a strong, lifelong bond with the RI students and their natural families.

All students and their natural families are personally interviewed by RI staff in their home countries.   Our volunteer host families also have an extensive, in person interview and screening.  Our students and host families are then carefully matched to facilitate the most successful program possible.  RI staff offers full support of the students and their families for the duration of the exchange program and beyond.  RI places a strong emphasis on building relationships with our students through monthly activities, community service events, participation in host family and school activities, and meaningful dialogue with RI participants. Our longstanding mission is to create a personalized, rewarding experience for everyone involved.

High School Semester/Year Program in the United States—All prices include airfare from Europe for those students departing from a European country, full insurance coverage (health, accident, dental, luggage, liability), two orientation sessions in the home country before departure, one orientation in the host country immediately after arrival, and one orientation shortly before the end of the stay to prepare the students for re-entry to their home country. Also included are arrangements for their home stay with a host family, DS-2019 forms, school enrollment arrangements, and monitoring and assistance throughout the entire stay. RI also offers field trips and excursions during the students’ stay. Participation in these is voluntary, and costs are not included in the program fee.