Life in the U.S. / Thank You Thursdays

Thank You Thursday – Ria from Japan

Posted on by

We’re thrilled to kick off the year with a fantastic thank-you letter written by Ria from Japan, who is spending her 2024-25 school year in Texas! From learning about new cultures and traditions to enjoying special moments like decorating the Christmas tree, Ria’s time in the U.S. has been filled with meaningful experiences. Her host family has made her feel like part of their family, and she’s incredibly thankful for the love and care they’ve shown her during her exchange year.

Ria from Japan with her happy host parents in Texas

I am grateful to my host family and the people who accepted me as a member of their family. During these four months, I learned about different ways of thinking, lifestyles, and especially about religion. My host family is Christian, and I am learning a lot from them. I also taught my Japanese culture to my host family. They enjoy my culture, and I enjoy theirs!

Ria from Japan celebrating the holiday season with Santa

The most enjoyable part of my time here was spending Christmas with my host family in Georgia. We decorated the Christmas tree and watched many Christmas movies together. Not only did I enjoy the festivities, but I also learned about the significance of Christmas, including the date and why we celebrate it. On Christmas Eve, we went to a big church and sang about eight songs together, which was a lot of fun. It was an amazing experience to end 2024.

Ria from Japan (right) enjoying pumpkin pie with her friends in Texas

Of course, there were times when I missed Japan, but I met so many wonderful people in America and had a great time overall. On Christmas Day, I played basketball with my host father, but unfortunately, I dropped my phone and broke it. Then, on New Year’s Day, I caught a cold. A lot of things happened. However, my host family always supports me. They take such good care of me and check in: “Ria, did you bring your passport?” “Ria, how are you feeling?” They treat me like a real daughter, and that means so much to me.

I’m truly happy to have come to this house and to have met them. Thank you, everyone, for giving me the opportunity to enjoy different lifestyles!

Are you interested in making a student like Ria 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!