To kick off this Thank You Thursday, we’re sharing a heartfelt letter from Augustina from Ghana, who is spending the 2025-26 school year in Washington State, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State. Augustina reflects on a new meaning of family and the people and moments that made her exchange experience so special!
I am very grateful to my host family for their warm and welcoming gesture toward me and for making my exchange year so incredible. From the beginning, they made me feel welcomed, loved, comfortable, and supported.
Living with them has really helped me understand American culture from a whole new perspective while also learning the importance of kindness. They also showed me that family is not just about who is related to you by blood, but who is ready to accept, love, and support you.
I think my favorite memory with my host family was when we went clamming. I did not really know what it was until we got to the beach and started digging. It was so much fun walking along the beach with my host family, and my host dad taught me how to locate and dig out the clams. I had fun and would love to do it again. I also had an amazing time with my friend Sarah during a student leadership retreat up in the mountains.
Thank you for all the love, warmth, and wonderful memories we shared. I will always carry these memories with me.
Are you interested in making a student like Augustina 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!
