Bruce Spader knows how exchange students can become of part of your family - he walked a former exchange student down the aisle when she got married during Labor Day weekend. So jumping into hosting two more exchange students for the school year was a no-brainer for Spader and his wife, Laura.

Laura lived in Rome for several years while she was growing up, and the couple spent more than 10 years in Germany for Bruce's job. With two grown children who now live in Germany, the Spaders keep their doors open to exchange students looking to further their education and learn more about America.

In August, the Spaders welcomed Laura Nickl from Germany and Alla Akiyeva from Kazakhstan. Nickl is sponsored by her area's Parliamentarian as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange. Akiyeva came to Cary through the Future Leaders Exchange Program.

Both girls were selected because of their leadership and adventurous spirits. Already they have visited the mountains and the beach and have volunteered with the recent board of education election, students with special needs and teens with cancer. In addition to attending Athens Drive High School, Nickl and Akiyeva are required to complete 50 volunteer hours while living in Cary.

I spoke with Bruce Spader, Nickl and Akiyeva about their experiences so far (Laura was out of town).

Q: It sounds like you have been busy since the school year began.

BS: I'm so amazed; they have been fearless. I know that 16-year-olds can balk at the volunteer requirement, but they have thrown themselves into it.

Q: Why do you think a family should host exchange students?

LN: I think it gives you insight into your own family. Everyday life becomes more interesting; your life is changing, too. You have so much to share with each other.

AA: I admire our host family. It takes courage and responsibility to open your home. I think for them, it gives them a great opportunity to allow them to watch how a young person is growing, becoming more experienced.

Q: What was your favorite trip or adventure since you have been here in America?

AA: I liked the trip to the mountains. I looked out the window and saw all of the colorful leaves as we drove. We don't have the color change like that; we have a very short change of season.

LN: I guess I would have to say the beach. We visited there with the grandmother in the Spader family ... we went swimming, and (Spader) taught us to boogie board. We sat outside and watched the stars; it was amazing.

Q: How different is high school life here from Germany and Kazakhstan?

LN: Math differs quite a lot from Germany. Learning is different; not so much the content, but the different way of learning. The year will not count for me in Germany, but I knew that going into it. I really wanted to come here anyway.

AA: U.S. history is different; I wouldn't have learned it at home.

The size of the school is also very different; my school back home has about 300 to 400 students. One class is about 40 students, and we spend the entire day and weeks of class with them.

Q: What does it take to be an exchange student and get the most out of your time abroad?

AA: I think I am very curious and very eager to know different people; I wanted to go to America very much.

LN: Before you come, you don't know if you'll be sent to a big city or small town, and I was open to either one. I come from a small town of about 5,000 inhabitants, so I was curious to get to know how other people live.