From left, Kim Schroeder-Evans and Kelly Evans are hosting Jeanne Remacle and Francesca Ballini in their home for the time being. The host family gets along well and intends on going to Disneyland soon. Photo by Nicolas Brown

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Two high school students from Europe have begun a year-long stay in Dixon through the American Field Service (AFS) foreign exchange program, marking the first time the city has hosted American Field Service students since 2017.

According to Kim Schroeder-Evans, President of the Dixon Historical Society, it is an exciting experience.

“I think it's exciting because I've been a student, a host sister and now a host parent,” said Schroeder-Evans. “I still keep in touch with my Belgian host family, my AFS sister from Denmark and my AFS cousin who lived with my family in Winters.”

Francesca Ballini, from northern Italy, and Jeanne Remacle, from the French-speaking region of Belgium, arrived in August and are currently attending Dixon High School while living with local host parents Kim and Kelly.

Kelly Evans and Kim Schroeder-Evans went through an extensive application and onboarding process, and are both excited and prepared for the experience. Jeanne Remacle and Francesca Ballini first met the couple digitally over Zoom but all four reported feeling a connection almost immediately. Photo courtesy of Kim Schroeder-Evans

“I’ve wanted to do an exchange since I was 11,” said Ballini. “My mom’s cousin works for AFS and we thought it was the best agency for this kind of experience.”

Remacle learned about this opportunity through school. 

“I thought this would make me really independent,” Remacle said. “If I can do this, I can go anywhere. I chose AFS because it seemed like the best option.”

Both students said school life in the U.S. is vastly different from their home countries. 

“We don’t usually have homework in Belgium,” said Remacle. “And I was surprised that people knew where Belgium was and what the capital is.”

Ballini noted the differences in teacher-student relationships. 

 “In Europe, we have to be professional with our teachers. But here, they ask about our weekends and how our day is. That was so weird at first but cool for me.” Ballini said.

The girls also commented on the cultural surprises they’ve encountered, such as Remacle trying a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the first time or Ballini’s introduction to cheerleading.

“I tried a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the first time,” said Remacle. “I thought it would be disgusting but it’s actually really good.”

Ballini joined the cheerleading team, something she had dreamed of since seeing American high schools in TV shows. 

“It’s the dream of all Italian girls,” said Ballini.

Two high school students from Europe, Francesca Ballini of Italy (left) and Jeanne Remacle of Belgium, have begun a year-long stay in Dixon through the American Field Service (AFS) foreign exchange program, marking the first time the city has hosted American Field Service students since 2017. Photo by Nicolas Brown

Their host parents, Kim and Kelly Evans, said the process of becoming a host family was thorough. 

“You fill out an extensive application, go through interviews and background checks,” explained Kim. “We specifically asked for two students and were matched with Remacle and Ballini. We felt we had similar interests.”

Evans and Schroeder-Evans are both well-versed in this role, Evans having spent the first 22 years of his life in the United Kingdom and Schroeder-Evans having previous experiences and relationships with the American Field Service program.

The girls will stay in Dixon through June. In the coming weeks, they’ll join other American Field Service students on a whitewater rafting trip and travel to Disneyland with their host family.

Residents interested in hosting or studying abroad can learn more at afsusa.org or by contacting local coordinator Carol McCauley. 

“It’s a volunteer-based program,” said Kim Schroeder-Evans. “We open our hearts and homes and it’s life-changing for everyone involved.”