Adventures of Toni & Kris : Hosting an Exchange Student

Hosting an exchange student is a big decision. Most students, depending on their agency, have money to pay for their own things for the time they spend down in the states. For example, they have money to pay for cell phone services, food, and spending money for anywhere from 5 to 10 months with them. But as a host parent, you have to make sure that your new child has the ability to make themselves 3 meals a day. They also need their own space, a bed to sleep in and transportation to and from school. It's just like raising your own child but they don't live with you forever. 

I was introduced into hosting by an amazing friend who showed me how amazing it is. I had the space and the means to host, I had the conversation with my husband and we decided it was something we would love to experience. We put in our application, submitted our background checks, and took photos of our home, and had a home visit. In the end we chose our amazing girl toni and the last 10 months have flown by.

It is a little awkward at first, the kids get your contact information and can talk to you before they meet you, but most of the kids are on a seperate schedule and sometimes it is hard to get to know them completely before they show up at the airport. I wouldn't change anything about this experience, in fact, if we weren't still in a pandemic, I would probably be getting another child this august. But no one will ever take the place of our toni, she is loved by the whole family. Saying goodbye in two weeks is not something I look forward to, but I know we will never lose touch.