Rachel and her family were hosting Pietro from Italy for the 2024–25 school year when, just three months in, she learned she would need open brain surgery before Christmas. She and her husband gave Pietro the choice to stay or move to another host family, and he chose to stay. His optimism and kindness reminded them that hosting an exchange student is more than sharing culture, it’s about creating bonds that become family, even in life’s hardest seasons.
Three months after Pietro came to stay with us, we found out that I would need open brain surgery before Christmas. We were all devastated. My husband and I knew we had to at least give Pietro the option to find another host family if he wanted. I told him what was going on, about the surgery and recovery. I told him we wanted him to stay, but it was okay if he wanted to find a new host family. We just wanted what was best for him.
He hugged me so tight and said, “No no no, everything will be fine. David and I will take care of you and everything will be fine.” And he truly did help take care of me, and everything was fine, even though my recovery was much harder than any of us realized it would be.
Honestly, the year that should have been the most miserable of our lives was made wonderful because he was here with us, being his optimistic, goofy, and sweet self no matter how hard things got. We will forever love him, and he will forever be our son.
Are you interested in making a student like Pietro 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!
