Thank You Thursday is here and we’re featuring Helga from Spain, who is spending the 2025-26 school year in Utah! Helga tells us how her host family and daily experiences have turned her exchange adventure into something truly memorable.
From the first day, you made me feel like I was part of your family, and I cannot thank you enough. You really went, are going, and continue to go the extra mile so I can have the best experience possible. And obviously, I am immensely grateful for the big experiences, but what is really making my exchange year the best possible are the little moments, like like Tora and Jaxi (my host sisters) holding my hand and laughing with me, or going shopping in our Grinch jammies. You really are the best host family, and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to spend my exchange year with you.
When you sign up with an agency to go on an exchange year, they tell you that having friends, activities, and a good host family are the factors that decide whether your year will be amazing. But I don’t think they really talk enough about how important your host family is. You spend all your time with them. They set the curfews, the rules, and decide what you’re going to eat for the whole school year. I just wanted to say that both of my host parents, Joe and Robertina, have been the best in every way, so thank you for that.
If someone asked me to choose one favorite moment, I don’t think I could do it. I loved going to yard sales, the first time I tried Chick-fil-A and Swig, my first day of high school, the football games, baking my mom’s cake for you, teaching you about my traditions (like the Tio) and seeing your interest in them, playing board games with Jaxi before bed, going to Lagoon, and so many more moments that would take forever to list. What I want to say is that none of those moments would have been possible without you and your generosity. You’re all awesome people, and every day I’m here, I learn from you.
And lastly, for the thousandth time, thank you. Thank you, Joe, for all the amazing food you cook for us (especially the rice bowls). Thank you, Robertina, for always introducing me to new foods and places. Thank you, Jaxi, for treating me like a sister from day one. And thank you, Tora, for making me laugh every single day.
Are you interested in making a student like Helga 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!
