Ever wondered what hosting looks like through a dad’s eyes? Today, host dad Derek shares what the experience has meant to his family and how life has changed since Ajia from Pakistan joined them for the 2025-26 school year in Utah, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State. Keep reading for a glimpse of the adventures and little moments that make each day special for his family!
These past weeks have been full of new experiences and growth. We started the month by going to a movie, and she also went bowling for the first time. We went tubing with the church youth group and had a wonderful time. She finished the quarter with straight A’s, which we are really proud of.
We also visited Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. One of the highlights was hiking Angels Landing with my son, Myles, and me. It was a challenging hike that pushed her outside her comfort zone, but she stuck with it and made it to the top. I was so proud of her for overcoming her fears and doing something that required courage. On the way down, you could tell how proud she was of herself, and the three of us had a lot of fun together. The weather was beautiful for January, which made the experience even more special.
Ajia has continued to volunteer with Kelly’s Mission and has also been spending more time with a group that trains Golden Retrievers and has a vendor booth at the Maverik Center. She is working toward earning 100 volunteer hours, and it has been encouraging to see her take initiative and pursue that goal.
This semester, she started some new classes, including PE, Web Development, and U.S. Government, which are different from what she took last semester. At home, she and Myles have started watching Stranger Things together, which has been a fun way for them to connect.
We continue to be grateful for Ajia’s heart and character. She is game for anything, easy to be with, and brings a joyful spirit into our home. She cares for each person in our family in her own unique way, and her smile always gives her away when she is truly enjoying something. She doesn’t need much to be happy, is always willing to help, and especially loves cleaning the kitchen. Her helpfulness and positive attitude are a real blessing to our family.
Are you interested in making a student like Ajia a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. Check out the profiles of our wonderful students. New student profiles go online every Thursday!
