Life in the U.S. / Thank You Thursdays

Thank You Thursday – Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan

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For this week’s Thank You Thursday, we are sharing a sweet letter written by Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan, who is spending her 2025-26 school year in Washington with the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State! Kanykei reflects on the people and moments that made her exchange year feel like home. From cross-country and movie nights to deep conversations with her host family, Kanykei shares how her experience became so much more than she ever imagined.

Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan smiling with her host mom, Kristine, while riding a ferry to Seattle, Washington

In August, I came as a cultural ambassador from Kyrgyzstan, a totally different side of the world. I had only one vision: the “American Dream” here in Washington State. I started off my year strong and having fun with cross-country, and then everything grew bigger, and this place started feeling like home. I have a routine, friends, and a place that I call home, with family waiting for me every day.

Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan having fun at her first concert with her host mom (left) and host sister (right) in Washington State

I think one of the big parts people don’t tell you when you are coming for your exchange year is that it’s not only about the football games, sports, traveling, and all of the fun things you might see while looking at your phone. An exchange year is about building a new life from a blank page. It is unbelievable even to imagine, but I was so lucky to have a host family that always made sure my exchange year would be one of the most memorable. Not a single day went by without talking for hours, laughing until our stomachs hurt, or enjoying a show in each other’s company.

Kanykei from Kyrgyzstan (second from left) volunteers with fellow Aspect students, helping clean litter along the Washington coast

My host family made sure we made a list of all of the places we wanted to go and all of the movies we needed to watch from their DVD collection. I’m so grateful for my host family because they were so open to learning about my culture and teaching me about America. Their questions and all of the things they taught me made me truly realize how different the world can be. Even in small details, I looked back at my life in my country and saw how my traditions, mentality, and the things we are used to shaped my life.

It is truly amazing to have an opportunity to share a piece of my homeland and take some of here back with me. My host family opened the door to learning and building international relations. This experience forever shaped my personality.

Are you interested in making a student like Kanykei 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 profiles go online every Thursday!