When exchange students go home there are things they miss from their host culture – the friends they’ve made, their adopted families and, of course, Oreos, Cheez-its and marshmallow fluff.

“I brought back mac and cheese. It didn’t taste the same,” said Louisa Truss, a 2013-14 German exchange student.

Truss and several other international students who studied at Old Rochester Regional High School serendipitously (and simultaneously) converged on the tri-town this week, prompting Kim Corazzini to call a reunion.

Corazzini, head of the school’s international exchange club, the AFS Club, organized the get together at the Dyson home Mattapoisett.

“I think it’s invaluable,” Corazzini said, a long-time champion of the exchange program. “It’s building relationships. We could use more a little more of that in this world.”

The AFS Club is comprised of ORR students who help welcome foreign students and who participate in short-term, domestic exchanges with AFS groups each year.

On Wednesday, Truss, Elena Voigt of Germany and Linda Rinaldo of Italy joined past and present AFS members to reminisce about their experiences.

Truss said when she came to America, she thought everything would be like the movie “High School Musical.”

Rinaldo, who lived with Corazzini’s family, thought fast food was the American way, but found “I had it less than I have it at home.”

Aside from these minor culture shocks, every student had to learn to fit in with a new family, but years after they repatriated, the young women said they have remained close with their hosts.

Friendships have remained strong across borders and oceans as well.

ORR graduate Morgan Browning said she still has video calls with Dew, a Thai student who studied at the school during 2014-15.

“I think my senior year would have been totally different if they hadn’t come,” Browning said. “You get a different perspective on your own community.”

Jackie Dyson, an ORR alum, said her friendship with Truss has continued to grow.

“I thought we were really good friends before she left,” said Dyson, who has visited Truss in Germany. “I love knowing that no matter where we go, I feel like we always have some family there, too.”

Truss agreed.

“It doesn’t stop after a year. It keeps getting deeper because you get to know this person.”

Jackie’s younger sister Abby Dyson, a rising senior at ORR, also shared her exchange experience. Abby recently returned from a six months program in Chile.

She said the Chilean perception of America was not exactly accurate.

Abby was informed “everybody likes the Simpsons in America,” she said, laughing.

“American culture is a big thing there. I’m petty up-to-date on American culture but not as much as I thought.”

Normally a vegetarian, Dyson knew she wouldn’t be able to maintain that diet in the meat-heavy cuisine of Chile.

“I kind of only ate meat,” she said.

Her willingness to eat beef only helped endear her to her host family with whom she developed a strong attachment. The experience has also opened up a new opportunity for her host sister, who plans to visit.

Before Abby left, her host father said, “I would never have let her go, but I trust you, I trust your family.”

Corazzini said these connections are what make the AFS program so important. Unfortunately, she said this year no families have stepped up to host an exchange student. She emphasized that families don’t need to do anything special, such as plan big trips for their students, and that it’s an enriching experience for all involved.

“It’s not only a life experience for the person who comes here, it’s also for the family,” said Truss. Speaking of her host family and the Dysons she said, “I found two families.”

Corazzini said there is still time for families to volunteer. For more information, contact Kim Corazzini at 508-763-4475 or kimcorazzini@oldrochester.org.