Welcoming an exchange student into your home can be an exciting experience, but what if there are concerns about a host sibling and an exchange student sharing a room? For many families, this can feel like a big adjustment. Nuria from Spain (16), who is being hosted for the 2024-25 school year in California, and her host sister, Isabel (14), were not sure what to expect initially, but their experience showed that sharing a space can lead to something even greater: sisterhood! From giggling late at night to supporting each other through daily life, these two prove that being roommates can turn into a lifelong friendship.
What has it been like sharing a room together? Did you initially have any concerns?
Nuria: “It’s really fun because I love spending time with Isabel, but sometimes it’s hard. At first, I was worried about privacy, but we worked it out.”
Isabel: “It has been fun sharing a room. We spend a lot of time together talking, laughing, and making funny videos. At first, I thought she would be messy, but she’s not.”
What’s your favorite memory you’ve made together so far?
Nuria: “Talking late at night and laughing about silly things. Sometimes, my other host sisters join us in the room, and we have so much fun all together.”
Isabel: “My favorite memory is when we went on a cruise to Mexico. All of my sisters shared a room, and we had so much fun.”
What’s the best part of sharing a room?
Nuria: “Always having someone to talk to and share my day with. It feels less lonely, and we support each other. I also learned to be more patient because we have really different habits. I realized how important it is to keep things organized.”
Isabel: “The best part of sharing a room is not being alone and scared at night.”
When the program is over, what’s one thing you’ll miss about being roommates?
Nuria: “I will miss our late-night talks, her jokes, and how she always made me feel better when I was sad. It was so much fun to share the room with her.”
Isabel: “I will miss having someone to stay up late with. I’m sure we will text and FaceTime but the time difference will be tricky and it’s not the same as being together in person.”
What advice would you give to other exchange students or host siblings who will share a room?
Nuria: “Be open with your roommate, try to talk about everything with them, make them feel comfortable, and always respect each other.”
Isabel: “I would say be sure you talk about any issues that might come up. And make sure you keep your side of the room tidy!”
Are you interested in making a student like Nuria 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!
