Molly's Experience

Being able to have the opportunity to be a host student has been one of the best experiences I have had. I got the chance to host Aashna. She was a kind, outgoing girl who I had so much fun getting to know. While her time here was way too short, we had great memories that I will never forget. From going to the Arch to the City Museum to seeing Lion King at the Fox to the baseball game to all of the food we ate, we truly became great friends and had many laughs. This experiences has taught me so much, not only about myself, but also about South Africa and their culture. One of my favorite parts was just being able to talk to Aashna and the rest of the South African students about the similarities and differences between the US and South Africa. Over the time Aashna was here, we became very close. I already miss her and all of the other students so much. Hopefully I can make a trip to South Africa soon!!:)

Maureen's Experience

I have heard the quote, “We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.” I think this quote exemplifies the how I feel about the bringing of Kelly and the rest of the South African students into my life. Hosting a student from South Africa has taught me many amazing things. It has taught me that the Fourth of July is ONLY an American holiday, many facts about living in their country, the food they eat, the words they say, and so much more. I was so blessed to be picked to host Kelly for the past week. 

When they arrived, I had yet to talk to her or hear her voice. We texted but never actually talked. The awkward beginning was inevitable yet so exciting. As soon as they came up I saw Kelly and was jumping up and down (good first impression, I know). I was ready to wear her out and she was up for it which made this week very exciting. The first day we went to the Cardinals game and Blues game. It was a lot after a 17+ hour plane ride but I wanted her to get the full St. Louis experience. Needless to say, we went to bed before eight o’clock the next night. The rest of the trip we hung out with friends, ate, shopped, and ate some more. I got to show Kelly the place I live and my favorite things to do here. 

One moment in particular that stuck out to me was going on a picnic in Forest Park. There was a lot of traffic that day and we were having a hard time finding a parking spot, soon enough we found one. As we walked to Art Hill our stomachs growled and minds raced about the anticipation of the sandwiches we would soon devour. Once we got there, it was exactly like I had hoped. A beautiful sight, with an amazing new friend, eating wonderfully delicious food. This was one of my favorite memories with Kelly, besides all of the many times she fell asleep in the seat of my car. I felt so fortunate to get to know Kelly and learn more about her culture. When it was time to say goodbye, we had a hard time. Many hugs and tears (@my mom) later, it was time for Kelly to leave. I grew close to her over the span of those days and was heartbroken to see her go. Overall this was an amazing experience and I was so blessed that I got to know such a kind, open, fun, and wonderful person like her.

Grace E.'s Experience

I had an amazing experience being a host for Kiara. We had so much in common and I am so happy I got this opportunity. We did many things that I have not done in a while and it was so much fun! I loved seeing all of the things she had never seen before. We had so much fun doing all of these activities with her and I was sad to see her go. Some of the things we did were we went to the Cardinals game, Ted Drewes, the Snow Factory, the Science Center, Fitz's, and the Zoo. All of these activities were so much fun and I hope she had fun as well! I miss her so much already, but hopefully, I can go visit her soon and see what her country is like.

Haley's Experience

I am so thankful to be a part of Ursuline's Global Education program. Hosting Agathe for the past two weeks has been so amazing. The age and culture difference were no barriers for us, because we were more alike than I could have expected. From family life to social activities, I was paired with the perfect match. She has become more than just a "match" to me; she has become a good friend.


We had so much fun throughout the time she was here. We went to Chicago the first weekend she was here. The weather was crazy, and we ended up making a joke about it for the rest of the trip. When we got to Chicago it was snowing, but twenty minutes later the skies would be clear and there would be full sun. This constantly switched off for the rest of the day. (In Nantes it doesn't snow, so she was excited to be able to see it in person). We visited the bean and Willis Tower, as well as shopped for hours on end. We were able to take her to a Blues game and opening day at Busch Stadium to watch the Cardinals (bringing home wins for both games!).

My family and I immersed her in the American culture the one way we knew how: food. She had her first "breakfast for dinner" with us, which included pancakes, sausage, and fruit. We took her to Fritz's Frozen Custard so she could have her first concrete. And of course, we had burgers and ribs. We took her to Favazza's on the Hill for real Italian food, included Saint Louis' famous toasted ravioli.


Honestly though, the simple car rides to and from school and the dinner time conversations are what I am going to miss the most. I will miss not having someone to laugh with on the way to school and not hearing about her field trips during the day at school. Time flew by so quickly, but I will always cherish the moments I was able to spend with Agathe.


-Haley Stelzer-Monahan, '16