Can you host an exchange student? Being a host family means falling in love with a child’s words. Knowing that you “must” meet this person who is so brave to leave everything they have just to be a part of your home. Wondering why they leave such “exotic” places as Italy, Norway, Brazil, to come to a dusty little town in west Texas. These kids vacation on world famous beaches, ski in the Alps, holiday all over Europe and their dream is to experience life as an American teen…you know that life that your own teen says is “boring”. Being a host mom means taking in someone else’s child and wondering, can they love me as my own children……can I love them as my own? YES. You worry about them as they are stuck overnight in an airport many miles away from you and can’t get to them. You sigh with relief when they get off the plane and you are able to look into their eyes. You see fear and excitement and you know your adventure is just beginning with this new person. You can’t wait to show them everything and introduce them to everyone but you know you can’t overwhelm them so you practice patience. When you hear their laughter and teasing with the host siblings you relax. You wonder, will they always be on their “best” behavior and then they groan about getting up early or give a big sigh when told to do their chores and it hits you……they are “absolutely” normal and they feel at home. The pride you feel when they make the top percent of their class; when they are on stage; when they bring home their woodshop project; you know how hard it is for them to do school in America….different languages, different cliques, alone. Yet they push on. Some students embrace every moment, some simply live day by day waiting to return to their “real” life; some slide seamlessly into your life and routines; some struggle to find a place to call their own; but everyone of them are living out their dream and that is because YOU opened your heart and your home. Do you have what it takes to make dreams come true?
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:11:32 +0000
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