What can be more fun than hosting an exchange student? Hosting two! When Alicia and her family moved to Texas, they decided to host Valentina from Italy and Teresa from Spain for the 2023-24 school year, a choice they describe as life-changing! From trying new foods to learning life skills, they’ve shared so much with each other in just 10 months. Valentina and Teresa weren’t just guests, they became a part of the family. Alicia tells us all about the benefits of hosting two students and reflect on the unforgettable year they had together!
Why did you and your family choose to host two students?
We decided to host two students last minute because we had extra room available. We previously hosted a student from Tokyo when my husband and I lived in Canada. Once we moved to the US, we thought having companionship in a new country and a new school would be good. It was the best decision we ever made!
Are there any benefits of hosting two students instead of one?
I think there is because it gave them somebody else who was going through the same situation. When they first get here, they don’t know anybody and might get a little homesick, but having somebody with them was a big advantage. When one was having a bad day, they could lift up the other. It gives them an extra person to lean on. I would do it again!
What has it been like hosting Teresa from Spain and Valentina from Italy?
Amazing! They’re part of our family. They’re pure sunshine. I love them to death! We had an amazing, amazing 10 months with them. They made endless friends. We learned about their cultures and they learned about US culture, as well as Canada’s since that’s where we are originally from.
I also taught them how to cook and do their own laundry. When they first arrived, in their young little minds, they haven’t experienced that much! They became much more independent throughout the year. Their English also really improved. Valentina went to an English school so she’s very fluent now. Also, hearing them both try to pronounce Whataburger was hystersical – they kept saying Whata-boo-ger! By the time they left, they could finally say it. It was very funny! Overall, it’s been amazing hosting them.
What have you learned about each other’s cultures?
The food! My neighbors came over one night and we all made one meal and one dessert from our home country, so we tried different types of food. Both of their natural parents have also sent care packages of food from their country. We all got to do some taste testing and learn some new things. They also found a very big difference in the food from their country and it took a long time for their stomachs to adjust, but it’s funny because they already have cravings and tell me how much they miss Chick-fil-A!
How did your 10-year-old daughter react to having two new big sisters?
She loved it! She has an older sister who is 25, but she doesn’t live at home, so she enjoyed hanging out with the girls. They would love on each other. Valentina has a sister that’s the same age as my daughter but Teresa is an only child, so it was a learning experience for her to live with other girls. My husband travels a lot for work, so it was mostly my 10 year old, myself, and the two girls. We were the girl squad!
Right image: Alicia and her daughter, Ava, at a Texas Rangers with Teresa and Valentina!
We’re all very, very close. We loved going to baseball games and spending time together. When we were on a road trip, we had our own playlist and the girls would sing at the top of their lungs – it was god-awful, but I miss it! We honestly had the time of our lives.
Do you have any advice for families considering hosting two students?
Embrace it! The ten months went by so fast that it felt like a blink of an eye. Enjoy it while you can and embrace every moment. Teresa was homecoming princess, so I got to walk across the football field holding her arm. I also helped the girls get ready for prom. They don’t have this in their home countries, so it was really special.
Right image: Alicia with Valentina (left) and Teresa (right) before heading to prom!
They made some amazing friendships that I know that they’re going to hold onto. We still talk almost every day, so it’s something that will be a lifelong relationship. They’ve also made a very big impression on the school system here too. They gave thank you cards to all their teachers. With some teachers, the girls were like, “I hated that test, but you’re a good teacher”, and with others, they were bawling in tears. Some teachers even came to our house after school finished to say their goodbyes. These girls have really touched a lot of people’s lives.
Are you thinking of visiting them in their home countries?
Yes! We’ve actually already talked about it because Teresa’s parents came here on a mini vacation before heading back home. We all celebrated my daughter’s birthday and had dinner together. When Valentina and Teresa had to leave a few days later, it was so emotional! Next year, we’re going to spend a few days in Spain with Teresa and a few days in Italy with Valentina. They’re also going to come back and visit as well. They know our doors are always open!
Are you interested in making a student like Valentina and Tesera 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!
