Impact

2025-2026 Statistics 

  • Duration: approx. 2.5 weeks, late April – beginning of May
  • Visitors: Up to 25 students, two Swedish teachers, the Swedish program coordinator, the principal of Sven Eriksonsgymnasiet in charge with the Entrepreneur program
  • Hosts: Two California coordinators and 20-25 volunteer host families
  • Activities organized in the US: Up to 30 free talks, community meetings/events, and discussions organized by Katrina Smith and Simona Stefanescu, hosted at Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State University, and around Sonoma County. 

Guest Speakers, Discussions, Activities 2025-2026

Our sincere gratitude to these community partners who donate their time, expertise, & heart to this program! 

  • Meet and Greet, and Farewell Families meetings 
  • Fika with SRJC President Dr. Angélica Garcia
  • Welcome & informal talk with SRJC Dean Kerry Loewen, who shared his experiences in entrepreneurship that prepared him for a career in academia
  • Panel about Diversity and Immigration Stories with American citizens born abroad: Dr. Solen Sanli Vasquez (Turkey), Conchis Hernandez (Mexico), Graciela Manzanares (Mexico), Sipho Mahlaku (South Africa), and Simona Stefanescu (Romania)
  • Marketing and Entrepreneurship talk with Sarah Pew, SRJC Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs
  • Political Sciences talks and Q&As with Dr. Azamat Sakiev, SRJC, and Dr. Cynthia Boaz, Sonoma State University
  • International Student Program discussion led by Becky Alvarez about the American educational system, requirements for interested foreign students, types of study programs, and scholarships available
  • Criminality in business discussion with Dr. Bryan Burton, SSU
  • Nonprofit and entrepreneurship talk with Viveka Rydell-Anderson 
  • Success stories and Q&As with local business owners
    • Roberth & Andrea Sundell, restaurateurs, Stockhome, Petaluma
    • Mathew Schweifler, independent financial advisor
    • Shannon Cloninger, veterinarian, co-owner of Analy Veterinary Hospital, Sebastopol
    • Stephanie Brooker, general manager, Healdsburg Custom Crush
    • Tricia Mills, Principal Strategic Advisor at Ethica Strategies LLC
    • Matthew Long, Goblin Bros co-owner
    • Octavio Diaz, restaurateur, Agave, Healdsburg and Mitote Park owner
  • Visits and discussions with students, clubs, and programs
    • SRJC Student Government Assembly leaders
    • SRJC Clubs: International Student, ESL Moves, Oak Connections
    • SRJC Native American Center
    • SRJC Oak Leaf Newspaper
    • SRJC Petaluma Student Success Peer Advisors & the Student Engagement team
    • SRJC Multicultural Museum
    • Sonoma State University Criminal Justice Club
  • Tours of SRJC and Sonoma State University
  • Volunteering: Redwood Empire Food Bank; Binkley Elementary School
  • Examples of optional community activities: Santa Rosa Taco Tuesday Bike Ride, Sacramento Kings baseball game, Eid celebration with the host family of an EP Swedish Muslim student, Movie Night, etc.
  • Examples of family activities: Visit to Angel Island and learning the history of immigration, multiple San Francisco trips, local hikes (Armstrong Woods and more), numerous neighborhood gatherings of the host families, and cozy game nights