Student Exchange Program

2012 Student Exchange to Memphis

2012 Host Family Application

2012 Host Family Responsibilities

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About the Student Exchange Program

The Student Exchange Program provides selected students and chaperon with an all-expense paid, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the culture of our honored country.  Each year students are selected based on communication skills, grades, and community service.

Each spring, a group of Memphis in May exchange students travels to Memphis in May's honored country for 10-12 days - enough time to give students a true taste of the country without interfering with their school year. All students stay with selected host families in the host country, attend classes at a host high school, visit famous monuments and landmarks, and experience a different culture first-hand. Prior to travel, preparation sessions are held with emphasis on orientation to the culture and country the students will visit, along with travel details and student responsibilities as Memphis in May ambassadors. The program is offered at no charge to the students or accompanying chaperon. Selected students are encouraged to share their experiences and new knowledge of the honored country with local school and community groups after their return. The Memphis in May Student Exchange Program is open to any 11th or 12th grade student enrolled in a public, private, or authorized home school within Shelby County; the student must be enrolled from August to June of the current school year. Teachers, parents, guidance counselors, and administrators are encouraged to recommend high school juniors and seniors to apply for this unique opportunity each fall. Applications are posted at the beginning of each school year. Contact lbenton@memphisinmay.org

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2010 Tunisian exchange students visiting the Mississippi River and the Memphis Zoo

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What People are Saying About the Program

Memphis Exchange Students

The unforgettable experiences I had in Tunisia, especially with my family, helped me embrace the [cultural] differences as I eagerly looked forward to learning more about the culture and people. Despite being thousands of miles away, speaking different languages, and practicing a different religion, Tunisians are more similar to us than I once imagined.

-Anh Vo, White Station High School, 2010 Exchange Student to Tunisia

I would never have guessed that I would learn to dance Chilean style at Pablo ’s equestrian club, that I would gain a best friend, that I would speak so much Spanish it caused me to dream in the language, that I could live for ten days without instant communication, or that a scene from the top of a mountain at nighttime could give me chills from its sheer magnificence.…I never wanted these sites and adventures to disappear, so I was inspired to open my eyes and look for more out of my hometown. I have discovered the importance of meeting new people everywhere I go and learning something from everyone I meet.

- Emily Lazek, Houston High School, 2009 Exchange Student to Chile

Host Families

It was with great pride and joy that I watched my husband and children nurture this amazing student.  Everyone in the family wanted to make sure she felt comfortable....She was very open about life in Tunisia and it gave all of us a greater sense of unity....It was a great experience and hopefully we will have another opportunity to host a foreign student.

- LeeAnn Kelly, Host Mom to 2010 Tunisian student

This was a really great experience for our entire family!  We loved having Thomas and Branco.  In fact, after they left I went into Branco's room and he had left us a picture he drew and a lovely long letter thanking us for our hospitality.  I cried!!  Such sweet students!

- Lisa Browne, Host Mom to 2009 Chilean students

Chaperones

As a teacher, I was able to obtain valuable practical experience and applied professional development opportunities that have improved my language fluency and cultural competency.  The cultural richness of Chile provided me with opportunities that simply cannot be replicated through videos and other instructional aids.

- Kim Pitts, Arlington High School, 2009 Chaperon to Chile

I had a lot of fun seeing my students learn from their own experiences in Tunisia....Overall, I was very impressed with every student on the trip. They all adapted and coped very well. They were all also very polite, intelligent and kind individuals. They made my job as a chaperon very easy, and we had a lot of fun as a result...Thanks to Memphis in May for giving me this opportunity, I hope to be able to match the efforts made by Tunisians for their families. The emphasis and importance placed on education in Tunisia has also motivated me as an educator.

- Ludovic Bruneau, White Station High School, 2010 Chaperon to Tunisia 

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