SMG Blog

For three weeks in August, Student Management Group held its first Short Term Group Program in the United States. SMG welcomed a group of 70 Chinese exchange students to Grand Rapids, Michigan for ESL instruction, cultural immersion, and homestay experience. The students arrived on the weekend of August 1st and had the opportunity to enjoy […]

Finnish exchange students Inka Sirkiä and Johanna Smalén have brought their synchronized skating skills to the Halton School District in Ontario, Canada and are having an incredible experience so far. The two girls decided to study abroad to develop their English skills, as well as to meet new people and discover a different culture. There […]

You have claimed your suitcase at baggage claim.  You are greeted by your host family and pack your bags in the car.  The drive home will be full of unfamiliar sights, sounds and a lot of emotions.  Your exchange program has officially started. For most exchange students, the first few days will be extremely exciting.  […]

It takes a unique student to participate in an exchange program.  Leaving your home, family, and friends behind is an extremely difficult decision to make.  However studying abroad can have amazing benefits, and will allow you to stand out as you move on towards university. Multi-Cultural Understanding Harvard University is among the best universities in the world. […]

Finnish exchange student Emilia spoke with Diana Santelli, one of our Student Services Facilitator, and discussed her time abroad. Q:  Why did you choose Denver? When I was discussing with my mother about which district to choose, she didn’t want me to pick a place that had natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes, so that meant […]

Brazilian exchange student Matheus spoke with students services facilitator Diana Santelli about his time in Charlotte, North Carolina. Q:  Why did you choose Charlotte? Before I chose a city, I did a lot of research on the internet using Google Maps and looking at the different districts that ESI offers.  I checked places in the […]

Dancing in the hallways, major sporting events and food fights.  Thanks to many movies and television shows, that is what the world thinks high school in America is like. But is it really like the movies? Here’s our perspective. Perception:  High Schools in America Break Out in Song and Dance. Movies and television shows like […]

Brazilian exchange student, Lais, describes her experience on our F-1 Public High School Program: I came to the land of opportunities also known as America without knowing what I was getting into.I didn’t know how big of an impact this experience as foreign exchange student would shape my view of the world, my future and […]

As 2017 quickly approaches, people all over the world are finalizing their New Year’s resolutions. These lists can include eating healthier, discovering a new hobby, reading more, among endless other resolutions. For international high school exchange students, the New Year provides a new chance to make the most out of their high school program. Here […]

Written by an alumni of the UK Experience program In December 2017, I hopped on a plane and traveled to the other side of the world for the adventure of a lifetime. I was not disappointed. I experienced all of the crazy and confusing things you’ll always find in different countries. There were amazing friends, […]