This Thanksgiving, we’re delighted to share our very first thank you letter from one of our 2024-25 students! Paula from Spain tells us how grateful she is for the incredible experiences she’s had so far. She cherishes every moment with her host parents, from fun bowling nights to watching football games. Her host family has provided a second home filled with love, support, and joy, and she couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of their lives.
Dear Host Family,
This is more than just a thank you letter. I can’t explain or write how grateful I am to be living an exchange year. This is an opportunity that most people don’t have, and I’m aware of that. It’s an opportunity to explore, not just America and its culture, but to explore myself. I’ve never met this version of me—a version that is relaxed, free of stress, and just enjoying the small moments that life brings us.
This wouldn’t be possible without both of you! I never thought I would be this lucky to cross paths with you guys. Now I can’t imagine how my life would have been if I hadn’t taken that plane—a plane that at first I was scared to take. It’s difficult to leave everything behind to go to a new country with unknown people, now more than known. But the truth is that going back will be the hardest thing I’ll ever do.
I’m making so many memories, memories that I will never forget, memories that I will think of every time I’m 5,108 miles away from Colorado, my second home.
I’m grateful for golfing with my host dad, James. I’ve never enjoyed golf this much, and I know that’s because I’m playing it with you. I’m grateful for the massages that my host mom, Carissa, gives me. I’m grateful for all the shows we watch together. Tuesday nights wouldn’t be the same without “going to Ibiza.” I’m grateful for Sunday’s football. Go Vikings! I’m grateful for Thursday’s bowling. It happens to be that all these things I’m grateful for share one thing — I’m living them with both of you.
Ten months is not enough time, but it’s enough for me to realize that I’ve found the most amazing people (I’ve found the funniest one for sure, and the most forgetful). Time goes fast when you are happy, time goes fast when you are enjoying life, and time goes fast when you want it to go slow, wishing to delay your flight back. Wishing to never say goodbye.
This experience wouldn’t be the same if I weren’t living it with you, and I will always be thankful for stepping on that plane only to find out that I’ve found a second home.
Love you,
Paula.
Are you interested in making a student like Paula a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students! New profiles go online every Thursday!
