The 2025-26 school year may be over, but the memories of an exchange year can last a lifetime. For host mom Dotti from Utah, welcoming Amanda from Brazil meant new family traditions, snowball fights, fun school events, and plenty of laughter. As she looks back on Amanda’s exchange year, Dotti reflects on the meaningful impact Amanda had on their family and the memories they will carry with them for years to come. Dotti adds, “Our family gained a lifelong relationship, stronger communication skills, so many memories, and more knowledge about other cultures.”
Before Amanda arrived, I told her we knew she’d be tired from traveling and that we would completely understand if she needed to rest. Instead, she said she was too excited to wait and wanted to explore the town right away, and that’s exactly what she did. She never stopped going!
We knew she was family when the banter and constant teasing began. We took her to the canyon to see snow for the first time, where she and her host dad spent two hours laughing and throwing snowballs.
She also made her host sister the most beautiful crocheted Cinderella doll as a special gift for the opening night of her play. She crocheted something or made a special dessert for everyone’s birthday. Amanda treated our granddaughter like her own little sister. She’d tease her, buckle her into the car seat whenever we went anywhere, and loved making her chocolate milk.
She learned two new sports, basketball and throwing events in track and field. She was the only athlete from our school to qualify in a throwing event! It was so fun to watch her learn and see her dedication. We also loved that she found all of the foreign students from her school and made friends with them!
The end of the year was sad. We cried at all of her lasts: her last track meet, banquets, choir concerts, and more. She really did everything she possibly could while she was here. She was dead set on not missing anything at school, whether it was games, dances, or even a regular school day.
Looking back, we are so grateful for all the laughter, memories, and special moments Amanda brought into our family. She truly made the most of her year with us, and we will always cherish the time we shared together.
Are you interested in making a student like Amanda a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the 2027 spring semester and the upcoming 2027-28 school year. Submit an inquiry, and you’ll be the first to hear when profiles of our students go online!
