SARANAC LAKE — This August, an international high school exchange student will be arriving in Saranac Lake on the Council on International Educational Exchange’s High School Exchange program.

Victor, from Brazil, will be staying with the White family and is most excited to “organize an all-day soccer clinic for local children so they can play soccer and have fun just like Brazilians do.”

The White family is a first-time host family with CIEE and they are eager to have a new family member join their household this summer.

Currently CIEE is seeking a host family for Maria, a 16-year-old girl from Spain.

“I have a strong character because I like to defend what I care about, especially protecting nature,” Maria says. “I also enjoy swimming, track and soccer. On my program I would like to volunteer with kids because I love them.”

Each year, international high school students representing more than 70 nationalities come to the U.S. to experience American culture as part of CIEE’s High School Exchange program.

Students attend local high schools, live with American host families and participate in extracurricular activities and athletics.

During their stay, students also give back to their host communities by participating in volunteer projects and community service activities. Through the High School Exchange program, CIEE provides cultural exchange opportunities to help students, families and schools gain new perspectives and develop lifelong relationships that cross borders and cultures.

Anyone interested in hosting an international exchange student is asked to contact Brett Shampo, CIEE local coordinator, at 315-514-4146 or brettshampo@gmail.com. Visit ciee.org/highschool to learn more.