For many international students, a summer in America isn’t about sightseeing—it’s about personal growth.
Students from across Europe are spending the summer living with host families, building professional skills, and learning about life in the United States through the Southwestern Advantage program. Guiding many of those students is coordinator Nikita Vlassenkov, who has spent the past ten summers helping participants make the most of the experience and will be representing the program in Champaign County
Originally from Estonia, Vlassenkov now serves as a mentor and leader for students participating in the program throughout Ohio. This summer, approximately 25 students are working in communities across the state, while hundreds more are participating nationwide through the U.S. Department of State-designated exchange program.
Participants live with host families while developing leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills. The experience gives students an opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture while also sharing their own backgrounds and perspectives with the communities they serve.
Many of the students spend their summers meeting with families and discussing educational resources designed to support children from early childhood through high school. The program also places a strong emphasis on mentorship, personal development, and helping students gain confidence through real-world experiences.
As the program continues across Ohio this summer, Vlassenkov shared more about its goals and the role local families play in the experience.
For Vlassenkov, the program’s impact extends far beyond academics or business experience. Students learn to navigate unfamiliar situations, build relationships with people from different backgrounds, and develop skills that can benefit them throughout their careers.
Many participants return for multiple summers, often taking on leadership roles and helping mentor newer students. Vlassenkov’s own journey mirrors that progression. After years as a participant, he now helps guide students through many of the same challenges and opportunities he once faced himself.
The program also encourages students to think entrepreneurially and develop leadership abilities that can translate into future careers, business ventures, and community involvement. In countries such as Estonia, where entrepreneurship education is often introduced at a young age, the summer experience provides another opportunity to build those skills in a real-world environment.
For Champaign County residents, the presence of international students offers a chance for cultural exchange and new perspectives. For the students, the experience provides lessons that reach far beyond a single summer.
As participants continue their work across Ohio, Champaign County serves as home base for one of the program’s most experienced mentors, helping the next generation of international students gain confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of life in America.
