Heather Espeso, a Warren native now living in Valladolid, Spain, has organized the exchange program since 2008. It brings Spanish students to various locations, including Warren, Erie, Pittsburgh, and Jamestown. The students, aged 11-17, will arrive on July 1 and stay until July 29, immersing themselves in American culture while living with host families.

“Some of our students have been to the area before and couldn’t resist returning to spend more time with their American family,” said Espeso. “For others, it will be their first time experiencing life in Pennsylvania and New York. They are all very excited for this opportunity.”

Students will be fully integrated into their host families’ daily lives during their stay, participating in household routines, activities, and local events. This cultural exchange provides mutual benefits — students improve their English skills while gaining firsthand experience of American life, and host families learn about Spanish culture in return. Many lifelong friendships have been formed through this program over the years.

Student Jaime Bes stayed with the Whyte family in Warren in 2019 and again in 2024.

Jamestown Community College students interning at the United Cultures Language School students in Valladolid, Spain. Pictured are Allison Latona, Cas Espeso, and Brynne Conley.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the experience,” Bes said. “During that month, I was with a wonderful family that treated me like one of their own, which allowed me to immerse myself in an English experience while enjoying the country and the culture. Living a month in the US is an emancipating experience that makes you grow. Luckily, I could return in 2024 and visit my American family.”

To ensure students are well-prepared for their trip, they undergo months of preparatory classes and receive guidance on cultural differences. All students have studied English and will be required to use their language skills throughout their stay. Each student comes with full medical, travel, and liability insurance and spending money for personal expenses.

“We are looking for warm and welcoming families who are willing to embrace a student as a member of their own family,” said Espeso. “This is an incredibly rewarding experience that fosters cultural understanding and international friendships.”

Espeso and her husband, both teachers in Spain, will accompany the students and be available 24/7 to support them and their host families.

Student Marina Bartolomé shared her experience:

Heather Espeso is a Warren native who graduated from WAHS in 1999. She has since relocated to Spain but keeps her roots by organizing yearly cultural exchanges for students at her United Cultures Language School. Pictured is the Espeso Family: Juliette, Heather, Mario, Luis, Jake, and Cas.

“I spent the month of July with an American family in Pennsylvania,” Bartolomé said. “It was a fantastic experience as I learned lots of things like the culture, the food, the people from there, and the language too. I had the luck to stay with a wonderful family who treated me as a member of their family and taught me many different things. To summarize, it was so good that I’m returning this summer.”

Jill Kerekanich and her family have hosted and will host again this year.

“We had such an amazing hosting experience that we have decided to host again this year,” Kerekanich said. “There are so many great experiences, my favorite being getting out and seeing all the great places right here in our area that are often overlooked by locals.”

In addition to her work with exchange students, Espeso is the founder and director of the United Cultures Language School in Spain, which provides English instruction and cultural exchange opportunities. Currently, the school hosts three interns from Jamestown Community College (JCC), including one who enjoyed the experience so much two years ago that she returned for a second internship. Another JCC intern will arrive in May, further strengthening the international educational collaboration.

Espeso’s oldest son, Cas, is also participating in the JCC internship this year and will be attending JCC in the US next year, making his move to the US this summer an exciting transition for the family.

An exchange student from Spain joins their host family, the Pillittieris, in Jamestown to celebrate an all-American Fourth of July with fireworks, fun, and new traditions. Pictured are Carly Pillittieri, Arabella Washer, Laine Pillittieri, and Daniela Martín.

Families interested in hosting a student can find more information by visiting www.unitedcultures.es or the United Cultures Facebook page. Those with questions can contact Heather Espeso directly at unitedculturessl@gmail.com or via WhatsApp at +34 648 071 017.

Anyone interested is encouraged to share this opportunity with others. Hosting a student is a chance to make a lasting impact while enjoying a summer of cultural exchange and new friendships.