What it’s really like to host an exchange student comes to life through three perspectives in this story! We first hear from Laura, a host mom from Nevada, her husband David, and their 2025-26 exchange student Terolin from India, with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, as they reflect on how the past nine months have changed their lives. From everyday life to new experiences, each of them shares how this experience turned into something far more meaningful than they ever expected.
For the past nine months, we’ve been hosting an amazing young lady from India named Terolin. She has truly been a blessing in our lives and we’re so grateful for having her as part of our family!
Since arriving, she has gained close friends from school, Key Club, and our church youth group. She has shared her culture with anyone willing to listen and is always eager to try new things. She is now a big fan of Takis and Sriracha!
But best of all, she brings surprises and laughter to our home on a daily basis! She always laughs at David’s corny jokes. She introduced us to K-pop Demon Hunters and even taught David a K-pop dance. If you’ve ever met her, you know what a positive and friendly girl she is. She is always grateful and ready to help.
Host Dad David adds, “Having Terolin in our home has reminded me of the many blessings we truly have here in the US. Terolin comes from a small village in India so absolutely everything is new to her here. It has been amazing watching her eat pizza and go to a movie theater for the first time. She has been absolutely awesome and not only because she laughs at all of my jokes. She has shown tremendous courage going to high school here with 3,000 students and making friends on the very first day. I know she has had an incredible impact on everyone who has met her and will be missed dearly when she goes home.”
Terolin from India shares, “This exchange has been an unforgettable journey for me. My host family has played a huge role in making it meaningful. They welcomed me with kindness and made me feel like I truly belong. Through this experience, I’ve gained new perspectives, built strong relationships, and grown both personally and culturally. It has shaped me in ways I will always be thankful for.”
Are you interested in making a student like Terolin 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!
