As we welcome our new exchange students for the 2025–26 school year, we also want to take a moment to look back and share one last sweet reflection from last year. Angelina from Germany spent her 2024-25 exchange year in Utah with her host family. Before heading home, she wrote this heartfelt thank-you letter to them. It’s a wonderful reminder of the memories and connections that exchange creates.
As I sit down to write this letter, I’m overwhelmed with emotions – gratitude, sadness, joy, and so much love. It’s hard to believe that my time here has come to an end. When I first arrived, I didn’t know what to expect. I was nervous, excited, and hoping to find a place where I would feel at home. What I found with you was more than I ever imagined. You didn’t just welcome me into your house, you welcomed me into your family. From the very first day, I felt like I belonged. The warmth you showed me, the kindness in every little gesture, and the way you included me in your everyday lives meant more than I can ever fully express.
Some of my favorite memories are the simple, everyday moments. Laughing at the kitchen counter while cooking or snacking, sharing inside jokes, or just talking about our day, those moments will stay with me forever. The kitchen became the heart of this house for me, not just because of the delicious food, but because it’s where we connected the most. I can still hear the sound of our laughter bouncing off the walls, the teasing, the storytelling, and the way we could all be ourselves, completely and honestly.
And the twins – oh, how I’m going to miss them. Playing outside with them, chasing each other around the garden, pushing them on the swings, jumping on the tramp and having tickle fights until we were all out of breath, those memories are some of the happiest I’ve had in a long time. Their energy, their curiosity, their sweet hugs… they’ve left such a huge mark on my heart. I will miss their tiny voices calling my name and their funny questions.
To Melissa (my host mom), thank you for being such a steady, kind, and supportive presence in my life. You somehow always knew when I needed a moment of comfort or someone to talk to. Your wisdom, your patience, and your endless care made such a difference. You’ve taught me not just how to adapt to a new culture, but how to grow as a person. I’ve learned from your calm strength, and I hope to carry a bit of that with me wherever I go.
To Nick (my host dad), thank you for your jokes, your good advice, and your constant support. You made me feel safe and looked after, always making sure I was okay without ever making me feel like a burden. I appreciated our little chats, the way you included me in family decisions, and how you always encouraged me to try new things, even when I was scared. You believed in me, and that meant so much.
And to all of you together, thank you for showing me what love and connection look like across cultures and languages. Thank you for every family dinner, every shared holiday, every late-night movie or board game, every car ride filled with music and laughter. I loved learning your traditions, your routines, and your way of life. I never felt like “just a guest”, you gave me a home. There were hard days, too, of course. Times when I was homesick or stressed or unsure of myself. But even then, I never felt alone. You were there to lift me up, to offer a kind word or a comforting hug. You reminded me why I came here in the first place, and you helped me find strength in myself.
I’ve grown so much during this time, and so much of that is thanks to you. Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But it’s not goodbye forever. You are part of my life now, no matter where I go or what I do. I’ll carry the memories we made with me always, and I hope you know how much I love and appreciate each of you.
Please give each other an extra hug from me every now and then. And don’t be surprised if you get letters, pictures, or random gifts in the mail from across the ocean. I plan to stay in touch, and I’ll be counting down the days until we see each other again, whether you come to visit me, or I come running back to this home that has meant so much.
Thank you for everything. For your trust, your generosity, your love. I will miss you all more than words can say. And I’ll be forever grateful that I had the chance to be part of this beautiful family.
With all my love,
Your Angie
Are you interested in making a student like Angelina a part of your family for the spring 2026 semester? Submit an inquiry and you’ll be the first to hear when profiles of our first spring 2026 semester students go online!
