Student Testimonials

Hello! My name is Cris Schuller and I am the Director of Target Intercambio Cultural in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Youth exchange has been a part of my life since I was 15 years old and made the decision, along with my parents, to enroll in a 5-month semester program. I left sunny Rio and flew to Waterloo, IA, arriving in January, in the dead of winter. I remember being so scared but this very nice man sat next to me on the plane. He asked me where I was going – I told him “Waterloo, Iowa,” and he said, “WHY?” That didn’t bring me much comfort but he assured me if I needed help, I could contact him and gave me his business card. It was months later, after passing all those green and yellow signs and farm implements that I understood who he was – THE John Deere! I knew then that America had to be a special place!

I had never heard of Iowa until I received a packet from my exchange organization in the mail. I remember reading for the first time about my host family. They introduced themselves and their community and sent me maps and pictures of my new home and family members. Included as family member were a list of their pets - 5 dogs, 8 cats, cows, horses, pigs, rabbits, geese and lambs. I had never seen so many animals together, other than when I went to the zoo! And corn…… I was certain if I ever got lost inside those corn fields, it would take me a week to find my way out! It was unbelievable, especially for a girl who lived all her life in a high-rise apartment at the beach, with a summer house to go to on the weekends. Before my exchange experience, I used to spend my weekends in Rio - sailing, waterskiing, going to the movies, theatres and concerts with friends, etc. Well, while in Iowa, I learned to enjoy myself attending cow auctions, shearing the sheep, and milking the cows! I also learned to cross-stitch and to bake cookies! It took me a while but I did realize there was a lot to learn and to enjoy!

After about 4 weeks, I called home for the first time and told my parents that the exchange experience was much more difficult than I thought it would be and I wasn’t sure I could live for 5 long months in such a place. My mother asked me why it was so difficult and I said, "Well, there are spiders in the house and a lot of dust. The closest mall is probably two hours from my house and there is only one bathroom for 5 people to use. They eat chicken with their hands and I found a tick on my neck!” I’ll never forget how my mother responded – “Well, honey, you have 5 months left. The sooner you adapt, the better! Four other people in that house live under the same conditions and they have all survived! I did not send you to Disney World. You are not there to have fun, fun, fun! You are there to learn a different culture. To learn to adapt, to be flexible, to grow and mature! Take it seriously and quit moaning! Talk to you again in April!" 

Wow! At the time, those words were not what I wanted to hear but I later realized that my Mom knew exactly what to say to cheer me up and give me all the motivation I needed to make it work! And it did work! I had a great experience with my family and at school. Things were certainly different from back home, but that didn't mean it was wrong! I've learned so much! I remember the day I saw this thing hanging on my principal's office and asked him what that was. He said, “This is the Board of Wisdom. Some students find it hard to learn how they should behave through our traditional methods. So we help them understand by using the Board of Wisdom!" At first, I was shocked. Then I knew if I didn't like that method, I had to avoid the situation! I learned that pretty quickly! 

I had, really, the richest experience of my life! I learned more about myself in 6 months than anyone can imagine. I made wonderful friends and I have great stories to tell! I still communicate with my host family, with my Area Representative, with one of my teachers, and with a few friends. I have visited my host community twice and have had friends and family visit me in Brazil throughout 22 years... It's always a joy to remember my experience in the USA.

I believe in youth exchange! I am really enthusiastic about it and I get really excited every time a student walks into my office to apply for the program! I am proud of each one of them who make the decision to embrace that opportunity! I tell them my story, I talk to them about expectations (from both sides), and I am really honest with them! Youth exchange is a wonderful experience, but not an easy one! It takes effort from everyone who’s involved but what a wonderful adventure! I wish more students and more host families had the chance to experience this! This is why I started Target Intercambio back in the late 90s and I am so proud to have been Global Insights first international partner all those years ago. I have had the chance to work with other programs and all I can say is that I find Global Insights the most reliable program I have worked with. I trust completely their team of experienced Area Representatives and their carefully screened host families. Trust, safety, support and communication are key words when it comes to youth exchange. I highly recommend Global Insights to anyone interested in becoming involved in high school youth exchange. My daughter is 8 years old and I hope she will want to become an exchange student when she gets older. If she does, I will not hesitate to enroll her with Global Insights. Until then, I will continue sending my Brazilian students to Global Insights and to the USA that I love!

Cristiane Schuller
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil