News Photo by Shannon Vivero Ion Miron from Moldova is pictured in the middle back with his classmates after giving a presentation of his home country.

ALPENA — Alpena Public Schools is looking for families to host exchange students for the 2023-24 school year.

An exchange student’s dream is to experience America and families all over Northeast Michigan are able to give those students that experience.

“Exchange students benefit Alpena students by giving them a window into different parts of the world,” Lori Vought, a representative for the exchange organization, said.

Vought is also a high school counselor at Alpena High School and works closely with international students daily. She has been active in the exchange program for more than a decade.

“The program helps create diplomacy between different countries and America,” Vought said. “It is considered to be an outreach to create more allies.”

“I think everyone should try new things, achieve your dreams,” Ion Miron, an exchange student from Moldova, said. “It was pretty cool moving to a new place with a new family. People are very to themselves in Moldova. Here, people are friendly.”

During his experience in America, Miron has managed to adapt and learn about American life and customs.

“It is very different from back home,” Miron said. “I am not used to the towns being so far apart. But the weather is similar. When I get back home, I will be in 12th grade, then move on to the university.”

Exchange students are considered seniors when they attend Alpena High School. Most exchange students will have two senior years — one as an exchange student and one in their native country.

A local couple has hosted exchange students for many years. Their personal experience has been very rewarding and memorable, they said.

“We have hosted exchange students since 2015,” Cory Lancaster said.

“We have hosted a total of seven students,” Shawn Lancaster said. “The most difficult part is sending them home at the end of the year. After the first three to four weeks, they get to know the routine of the house, then things fall into place.”

The couple agreed that the students are like their own children by the end of the school year. It is also a new learning experience each year because all the kids have different personalities. They also keep in contact with past students through social media.

“I love when I get sent pictures from my past kids,” Shawn Lancaster said.

The Lancasters are currently hosting two exchange students from the program for the current school year.