Welcoming a Muslim exchange student into your home is the best way to experience a new culture while making a dream come true for an international teenager! This school year, Liane and her husband are hosting Shabir from Pakistan and Ambrosi from Mozambique in Arizona. Both boys are part of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program which provides merit-based scholarships to high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend a school year at an American high school sponsored by the US Department of State. Liane shares their experience of hosting a Muslim student, as well as the love and connection that has flourished between them and both of their exchange students.
What inspired you to host a YES scholarship student?
Our first student, Gurmeet from Pakistan, was a YES student, and we just fell in love with what these students bring to the table for us in regards to culture and religious talks. From that point on, we decided that we only wanted to host YES scholarship students. They are by far the most kind, caring, loving, and grateful kids.
Did you initially have any concerns?
Yes, we did have some concerns as to how Gurmeet last year and Shabir this year would be received at school, and in our community especially around 9/11. We have experienced looks, and some under the breath comments in regards to our Muslim boys. Shabir is Muslim, Ambrosi is Christian. So we’ve had those conversations with Shabir on how to handle the comments, and looks; but he also knows that we are here to help him. We view it as the sins of the father are not the sins of the son.
What do you enjoy most about hosting?
Learning about our student’s culture! For example, with Shabir, we celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day. We decorated our home and ate traditional Pakistani cuisine. We have learned the meaning behind Ramadan. We have learned about family living and what the family dynamic is and how that differs from ours. We also enjoying learning how to cook food from our students’ home countries. We also love watching them trying different American cuisine for the first time.
You are hosting 2 students for the first time this year. What is it like to host a double placement?
It has been amazing hosting our two boys! This has been a new experience for us since we only raised one child. Just watching Shabir and Ambrosi form a bond that will last a lifetime! The boys love to go to Top Golf and Dave & Busters and they are brothers in every sense of the word.
What is your favorite memory with your exchange students?
Outside of watching them form an amazing bond, our favorite memory was watching them wake up Christmas morning with such excitement, to check out their stockings and opening up their gifts. I set up a scavenger hunt for one of their gifts and the look on their face was priceless as they tried to figure out the clues.
Do you have advice for someone who is considering hosting?
Start communicating early via WhatsApp and start forming the bond early on. Understand that they are teenagers far away from home, and there will be bumps in the road, just be kind, caring, and understanding. Most importantly they are teenagers and will behave as such. We have learned no matter where they come from they all behave the same. Let them know that you are there for them no matter what!
Are you interested in making a student like Shabir and Ambrosi 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 student profiles go online every Thursday!
