Julia and her host sister in Michigan.

Aspect Foundation’s inbox is flooded with notes from students expressing their gratitude for the experience they have had on student exchange. On Thursdays, we post one of these notes, sharing the “warm fuzzies” with all of you!

Today’s Thank You Thursday features Julia from Germany, who expresses her thanks for her year abroad in Michigan.

My host town is a beautiful place and I’m very glad that I was able to experience the american version of a neighbor country of Germany. Everybody I met in this community were lovable and dedicated people. This year was one of the best years, NO: THE BEST I lived so far, and everyone I met made it so much better and more memorable. My high school is a great school, way better than my German school (but psst…don’t tell that anyone) and I’m going to miss every aspect of it when I go back this summer. I wrote this letter with tears in my eyes, sitting in my seminar class and scared to cry in front of everybody, my body was shaking like crazy and I’m scared I will pass out every second. I think I’m just scared to leave everything and everyone behind for an unknown amount of time. It does not feel good at all, cause this place made me so happy and I made so many memories here that it hurts to let go. My host town is a lovable place with lovable people; please keep it that way, cause I would love to come back one day.

-Julia from Germany, in Michigan

Interested in sharing YOUR corner of the world with an international exchange student? Learn more about becoming a host family at: http://aspectfoundation.org/host-families.

A few of Julia’s favorite photos from her year in Michigan.