It’s a bittersweet time as many of our exchange students are departing, saying goodbye to their host families and the place they’ve called home for the past school year. Farewells are an opportunity to reflect on the cherished memories made during their stay. Snapping a photo or video together adds a touch of joy to the goodbye, preserving those special moments together. Stay tuned for future posts, where we share stories of host families and exchange students across America!
Team Manager and host mom, Sherri, says, “All goodbyes are sad. This goodbye was gut-wrenching!”
Yaniet from Norway says, “I’ve had the best host family anyone could ever ask for. I’m truly blessed to have a second family on the other side of the world. I’m so happy that they’re in my life. If anyone is unsure if they should do an exchange year, do it! You will not regret it. It will be so valuable and so fun!”
Noor from Pakistan says, “It was such a great time. It truly was life in a year. I’m so grateful I got to do this. I made so many memories such as contributing to my community by volunteering, presenting my culture and country, understanding other cultures around the globe. I had so many firsts this year, paddle boarding, dancing, the ocean, tulip farm, sailing, and so much more. This year changed me as a person. I am so much more open-minded and calm when it comes to being understanding and accepting differences. Saying goodbye is always hard, but I will forever cherish these memories and the great people I met.”
Host mom, Katie, says, “Hosting Hinami has been the most wonderful experience! Having the opportunity to give her new and fun experiences has been so rewarding. We loved learning about Japan and making sushi with Hinami. We will miss her dearly and hope to visit Japan someday to see what her life is like over there.”
Saule from Lithuania says, “I had the best exchange year I could have asked for. My host family became like my own family and it will be so hard for me to leave them. I met a lot of different people while volunteering and a lot of friends while attending different extracurricular activities. I made life-lasting connections and useful skills that will help me in the future.”
Are you interested in making a student 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!
