As a high school American History teacher, I
saw firsthand how exchange students could enhance classroom discussions
and bring the world alive for the students in our rural high school. I
began my career in student exchange as a local Area Representative for a
large exchange program, then as one of several Regional Counselors,
handing student issues for approximately 250 students per year. Seeing the
need for a smaller, more personal program, I founded Global Insights in
1996 with the goal of building a small, high-quality organization. That
goal was realized by setting student numbers based on our capacity to find
quality host families, as well as working only with international agents
who screen student applicants well and who understand the importance of
maintaining high standards.
Because I started my career in student exchange as a local Area
Representative, I understand that without local Area Representatives, no
exchange program could operate. I strive each day to make sure the Global
Insights Area Representatives feel supported and appreciated for their
efforts. I am very proud of the current Global Insights Area
Representative network and feel it’s a privilege to work closely with so
many selfless and giving individuals - folks who are dedicating to
offering this once-in-a-lifetime experience to so many young people from
around the world.
I look forward to continuing to promote cultural exchange and hope you
will consider joining our Global Family!
Sherry Buchla
President
Sherry lives in Marietta, a suburb of Atlanta, with her
husband, Todd,
and their Boxer, Georgia.
Tracy Enders - Director of Student
Services
I
guess you could say I became interested in student exchange when I was in
high school and talked my mother into allowing our family to host a
student from Brazil. Ana Filgueira was from Rio de Janeiro and lived with
our family for a semester. Our whole family had a great experience with
Ana.
Fast forward quite a few years and my husband and I found ourselves
agreeing to host Maite from Spain for four weeks the summer of 1998. She
was visiting with a group of students from the Basque region of Spain.
Once we agreed to host, I found myself helping the group coordinator to
find homes for the rest of the group. From there on we were hooked on
hosting and I was hooked on helping students to find homes for their
exchange experience in the United States.
I continued to work with summer groups from Spain, France and Denmark and
also started to find homes for students who were here to study for a
semester or a school year. I placed my first academic year (AYP) students
for the 1999/2000 school year. Our family also hosted our first AYP
student that year, Orsi from Hungary. In the past 11 years we have had
students from over 23 different countries in our home.
I came to Global Insights as an Area Representative over 5 years ago. I
had been working with a large program and was ready to work somewhere
smaller and more personal. I have been happy with Global Insights and was
very excited to be given the opportunity to begin working as the Regional
Administrator of Global Insights in May of 2008. I have had quite a year
of “on the job” training and have really enjoyed working with Area
Representatives and students from around the country.
My husband Michael, daughter Mary Leigh, son Joshua and I live in eastern
Connecticut along with our dog Harold and hamster Shiloh. We continue to
enjoy hosting. Student Exchange has made our children more interested in
the world around them and has helped them be more confident in meeting new
people and making new friends. My husband and I like the challenge of
helping a young teen from another country make the most of their time here
in the United States.
Area Representative Network
Global Insights has established a network of experienced Area
Representatives who live all across the United States and work with the
National Office Staff to place and supervise our students. They come
from all walks of life and contribute greatly to make Global Insights a
success.
United States
Toll Free 
As a high school American History teacher, I
saw firsthand how exchange students could enhance classroom discussions
and bring the world alive for the students in our rural high school. I
began my career in student exchange as a local Area Representative for a
large exchange program, then as one of several Regional Counselors,
handing student issues for approximately 250 students per year. Seeing the
need for a smaller, more personal program, I founded Global Insights in
1996 with the goal of building a small, high-quality organization. That
goal was realized by setting student numbers based on our capacity to find
quality host families, as well as working only with international agents
who screen student applicants well and who understand the importance of
maintaining high standards. 
I
guess you could say I became interested in student exchange when I was in
high school and talked my mother into allowing our family to host a
student from Brazil. Ana Filgueira was from Rio de Janeiro and lived with
our family for a semester. Our whole family had a great experience with
Ana.
