ABOUT US

ARISE (Association Representing International Student Exchange) was founded in Phoenix, Arizona in 2020, and its founders have over 25 years of experience in the field of cultural exchange on the high school level. ARISE sponsors highly qualified international students, ages 14-18, and places them in fully screened and selected American host families and high schools for a semester or academic year.

Everyone involved in ARISE's program, from our main office to our international partners and local area representatives strive to create the experience of a lifetime for the student and the host family. Our host families are open and caring and treat the students, not simply as a guest, but as a true member of the family. Students are encouraged to participate in the family's daily activities and to involve themselves in extracurricular activities at their school. Our goal is to create lifelong relationships between the students and host families.

LAURA BONDELL

President

Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Ms. Bondell pursued her higher education studies at Arizona State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish with an emphasis in Latin American Studies, as well as minors in Sociology and Portuguese. Ms. Bondell has knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish and has 25 + years of experience in the field of cultural exchange. She was one of the founders of OCEAN, a cultural program started in 1994. As the Special Services Director, she was responsible for administering the program and maintaining partnerships with international partners and area representatives. She remained up-to-date on current affairs, as well as U.S. Department of State regulations.. The COVID-19 crisis was a difficult moment for many around the world, especially to study abroad programs. This lead to Ms. Bondell's separation from OCEAN. Despite the challenges, it opened doors to new opportunities; thus, leading to her decision to open ARISE with her business partner and friend, Ms. Nayara DeSousa. Ms. Bondell has deep appreciation for the cultural exchange program and has hosted exchange students from Brazil, China and Thailand. As the President of ARISE, she is the perfect person to fulfill the organization’s mission and to bring cultural unity between international students and the people of the United States. Ms. Bondell loves animals and enjoys traveling, cooking and serving her community.

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NAYARA DE SOUSA

Vice-President/Program Manager

Born in Fortaleza, Brazil, Ms. DeSousa came to the United States as a high school exchange student in 2003. She is fluent in Portuguese, English and has knowledge of Spanish. She attended Arizona State University and pursued two Bachelors Degrees in the field of secondary education. She continued her studies at Arizona State University earning two Masters Degrees focused on social and cultural pedagogy and non-profit management. Ms. DeSousa’s passion and enthusiasm for international education and cultural exchange has been part of her since the first day she arrived in the United States. After graduating with her second Masters Degree, she was hired to work at OCEAN. She worked at the organization from 2010 to 2020 managing different tasks from recruiting international students, supervising students and host families during the school year and so much more. As the program manager at ARISE, she will continue to devote her knowledge and energy to helping students fulfill their dreams as high school students in the United States, as well as making sure host families have a positive experience. Ms. DeSousa loves to travel, volunteer, and bake. She loves to spend time with her family and friends.