Life in the U.S.

The Best Part of My Exchange—Becoming a Big Sister!

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Ever wonder what makes an exchange year truly unforgettable? For Layan from Lebanon, the best part of her exchange year wasn’t just the new experiences—it was becoming a big sister! From day one, she showered her host siblings with love, turning everyday moments into precious memories. Whether it was bonding over sports or discovering new things together, Layan felt completely at home. Hosting an Aspect student means opening your heart to moments like these while gaining a new family member!

Layan from Lebanon (left) with her happy host family in Texas

When I first arrived and came down from the plane, I was just so excited to finally be able to hug my host siblings. I was so excited to finally have little siblings and to be responsible and care for them. My host siblings made my year way too special. I’m so attached to them. They are always willing to try new stuff with me, share their feelings, and hear my blabbering all day long.

With my host family, I feel like I’m at home. We enjoy dinner together every night! That’s our favorite part of the day. We share everything about our day, even if it’s nothing amusing! We also enjoy baking together every few days. We are always out trying new adventures and foods! With them, I feel like I can express myself without being judged. I love them so much!

Big smiles! Layan having fun with her little host sister, Quinn, in Texas

My little sister, who is six, prepares a plate with my favorite snacks and brings it to me with a blanket to comfort me. They introduced me to many sports and things like rugby, basketball, and different foods that they like! They also introduced me to many shows and movies that I had never heard of! I helped my sisters with math techniques I learned back home to make it a little easier for them to solve problems. I also helped my little sister with her alphabet and sight words.

Layan (right) making memories with her host sister, Phoenix (left), in Texas

My advice for future exchange students with host siblings is this: be open. It’s not easy for them to be introduced to a new person. Take the time to understand them, comfort them, and make them feel like they can open up to you. It might take time, but it will work!

Are you interested in making a student like Layan 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!