Full Circle Cultural Exchange: High Schooler Carter Cole Studies Abroad After Family Hosts Exchange Students
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Growing up in a small town in Missouri, 16-year-old Carter Cole had never heard of people having the opportunity to travel to Africa. It always seemed like an unattainable goal -- until his family started hosting exchange students of their own.
Carter’s family has served as a CIEE volunteer host family for the last few years, welcoming three exchange students into their home so they could experience American culture and attend high school in the United States.
Hosting students from around the world gave Carter insight into the world of international exchange, making him believe it might be possible for him to also have an international experience. So, when Carter heard about CIEE's Leadership and Service in Children’s Education’ program in Ghana, he immediately knew it was right for him.
“He saw that program and realized that was it – he wanted to work with kids and that’s where he wanted to go,” said Carter's mom Anna.
During his three-week program in Ghana, Carter worked with a local NGO to provide education enrichment to at-risk children and youth. He and the other students on the program bolstered their leadership skills and assisted local teachers with classroom activities. Carter developed deep and lasting bonds with the local students and is still in touch with many of them today.
“It was very cool to see that I really made an impact in [the students'] lives,” said Carter.
During the program, Carter was immersed in Ghanan culture. He took a Twi language class, learned about the local cuisine (including how to make chocolate from scratch!) and visited local villages where he participated in local traditions of fabric weaving and jewelry making.
As dedicated members of the CIEE community, Carter’s family received two different scholarships towards Carter's program costs (one scholarship that all CIEE host families can receive and another scholarship for which the family was nominated by their CIEE Local Coordinator).
After his time on program, Carter is constantly telling his neighbors and friends that international exchange is possible for anyone who is interested; that there are plenty of opportunities and scholarships available - all you have to do is apply.
While he’s only been back home for a few months, Carter is already thinking about what’s next. He said that he would love to go back to Ghana one day, but he has a few other places on his list where he would like to volunteer to continue helping others and expanding his worldview.
“It’s been amazing to see the exchange cycle come full circle like this,” said Carter's mom Anna.