What’s it like to spend a year in Austria as a high school exchange student? In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross interviews Marina, a YFU student from California who shares her incredible journey of language learning, cultural immersion, and personal growth.
Marina talks about choosing Austria for its dance program, learning German on the fly, and joining a dance studio with students of all ages. She shares quirky and heartfelt moments—from Krampus parades and nail polish advent calendars to hiking Sundays and cooking Thanksgiving dinner with her host family. Marina also reflects on attending the YES Seminar in Berlin, traveling across Europe, and how her exchange year shaped her confidence and global perspective.
Check out Marina’s blog: travelwmarina.substack.com