Life in the U.S. / Thank You Thursdays

Thank You Thursday – Gulzhan from Kazakhstan

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This holiday season, we’re kicking off our first Thank You Thursday of the school year by sharing a letter written by Gulzhan from Kazakhstan with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State. Gulzhan, who is spending the 2025–26 school year in Texas, shares how grateful she is for her host family, who have welcomed her with warmth and care, giving her a home full of love and holiday cheer.

Gulzhan from Kazakhstan (second from left) with her happy host family in Texas

Dear host family,

I want to start this letter by saying how deeply grateful I am for everything you do for me every single day. Thank you for showing me the beauty of your state, its nature, its culture, its places, and the small moments that make life here so special. Every trip, every outing, and every place you introduce me to becomes a new memory I cherish. I can truly feel that everything you do comes from your honest and kind intentions, and that makes it even more meaningful. Your sincerity and the genuine care behind your actions touch me more than I can express in words.

Every day I spend in your home reminds me how incredibly lucky I am. When I first came here, I did not know what to expect, and naturally I was a bit nervous. But the moment I stepped into your house, everything changed. You welcomed me not just kindly, but with genuine warmth, the kind that reaches the heart immediately. I felt embraced, accepted, and respected from the very first moments, and that feeling has stayed with me throughout this entire experience.

Gulzhan from Kazakhstan celebrating the holiday season with her host parents in Texas

I am truly happy that life brought me to people like you, kind, generous, thoughtful, and warm. What amazes me even more is how much our temperaments match. I never imagined I would live so comfortably with people who feel so similar to me in the way they think, speak, and react to life. It feels like a natural connection, something very rare and very special. Because of this, your house never felt foreign or unfamiliar. It felt right. It felt safe. It felt like home.

And now, after living with you, I can confidently say something very important to me. You have become like my own family. You are incredibly close to my heart, and I feel that our bond is deeper than just a hosting experience. You are already like my relatives, people I trust, love, and feel completely comfortable with. This closeness is something I treasure. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a second family in another country, but I did, and I am endlessly grateful for that.

Thank you for every small and big thing you do for me. For always making sure I am okay. For making me feel included. For thinking about what I might need without me having to say anything. For the rides, the meals, the conversations, the jokes, the daily kindness, and the comfortable, calm atmosphere you create. These things might seem simple, but to me they mean the world.

Gulzhan from Kazakhstan wearing festive matching sweaters and making sweet memories with her host parents in Texas

Thank you for treating me like part of the family, not as a guest and not as someone temporary. I feel like your daughter, and that is something incredibly precious to me. The support you give me, the trust you show, and the genuine care you express make me feel safe and understood in a way I will always remember.

Being around you has taught me so much. You showed me what true family warmth looks like. You taught me patience, kindness, openness, and support simply by example. I feel that I am becoming a better version of myself because of the environment you have created around me.

I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life. Even when this exchange year eventually ends, I know that the connection we built will stay with me forever. A part of my heart will always remain in this home, with you.

Thank you for everything, for your kindness, your generosity, your comfort, your care, and your open hearts. I appreciate you more than words can fully express, and I am endlessly grateful to be part of your family.

With all my love and deepest gratitude,

Your exchange daughter,

Gulzhan

Are you interested in making a student a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for Spring 2026 semester and the upcoming 2026-27 school year. Check out the profiles of our wonderful students. New student profiles go online every Thursday!