We had the fantastic opportunity to interview Keira (16) and Kalysta (10), two sisters who tell us the joys of hosting Farah from Lebanon, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State for the 2023/24 school year in Washington. These siblings couldn’t wait to gush about why they absolutely adore having a host sister from across the world. Not only does the host family have the opportunity to learn about another culture firsthand, but they also have the chance to make a positive impact on a young student’s life. Read below to discover how welcoming a host sibling from across the world brings joy into the lives of these sisters.
What do you like about sharing your home and your life with your host sister, Farah?
Kalysta says, “She is cool, I just really like exchange students! I was super excited we were going to host again.” Keira says, “I get a new friend! We picked her out because she was the one who best suited our family. I liked how she seemed outgoing and friendly person based on her student letter and photos, as well as how her parents described her in their letter. We look for students who have siblings, so they fit well with our family. We also look for students who enjoy hanging out with family and are adventurous as we are.”
What is your favorite memory with your Farah?
Kalysta says, “We went to Great Wolf Lodge and went on a bunch of water rides!” Keira says, “It was cool at the beginning to be able to show her around school and we eat lunch together. My favorite is when we went to Idaho to my Grandparents house for a week right after she got here. Just getting to know her was fun. We hung out at the arcade. It was a great bonding experience.”
Do you have any tips on breaking the ice and getting to know your new host sister?
Keira says, “We always invite her to stuff that we’re doing and we find time to talk in those situations, especially if we’re hanging out as a big group. We enjoy playing Settlers of Catan and other board games. It’s a great way to spend time together and talk. We play basketball together and we went to some dances together. There are also many other ways, such as inviting her to the park or come and watch a movie with us.”
What do you love about having a host sister?
Keira says, “I love hearing about different places and cultures. It makes me excited because I would love to travel around the world. Hearing good things about other places makes me excited to step out of my comfort zone and visit new countries. I also learned how small Lebanon is, we got to try food from there too and it’s good. I’d definitely love to visit Lebanon when the time comes one day!”
Do you have any advice for someone who is considering hosting a student?
Keira says, “Just make sure that you are open and willing to accept stuff that may be different than the way you and your family are used to. Exchange students may have grown up doing things differently and it’s important to incorporate both so they feel comfortable as well. Learn about the exchange student and their culture. They’ll become a part of your family. It’s the best!”
Are you interested in making a student like Farah a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2024-25 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students! New profiles go online every Thursday!
