In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross is joined by Lexy, a Local Coordinator and host mom, and Lara, a high school exchange student from Germany participating in the YFU cultural exchange program.
Together, they explore the emotional and transformative journey of hosting an exchange student and being one. Lara shares her experience of coming to the U.S. as an international student, adjusting to a new culture, and building a relationship with her host family. Lexy offers insights from the perspective of a host parent and coordinator, highlighting the importance of open communication, support systems, and intercultural learning.
From celebrating holiday traditions and sharing meals to navigating cultural differences and coping with homesickness, this episode highlights the joys and challenges of the youth exchange experience.
🎙️ Whether you're considering becoming a host family or curious about the impact of student exchange programs, this episode offers valuable advice, heartfelt stories, and a deeper understanding of global citizenship.
Keywords: YFU exchange program, host family experience, high school exchange student, cultural exchange, international student USA, local coordinator insights, intercultural communication, youth exchange, homesickness abroad, global citizenship
For more info on YFU USA: https://yfuusa.org/
Chapters
00:00 – The Call That Changed Everything
00:30 – Meet Lara & Lexy: Exchange Student + Host Mom
01:24 – Why Go on Exchange? Lara’s Lifelong Dream
03:07 – Lexy Becomes a Local Coordinator & Host Mom
06:30 – Last-Minute Match: Lara’s Fast-Track Placement
07:38 – Family Bonds: Support from Both Sides
10:28 – From Texts to Real Life: Getting to Know Each Other
12:27 – Becoming “Sissy”: Adjusting to Host Family Life
14:20 – Airport Arrival & First Impressions
17:02 – U.S. High School Reality vs. Expectations
19:19 – Coping with Homesickness (and Helping as a Host)
23:12 – Making Friends and Trying New Things
24:33 – Food Culture Shock: Chick-fil-A, Ranch, and Hot Dogs
30:32 – Celebrating the Holidays & Building Memories
49:16 – Reflections, Goodbyes & What Comes Next
Host & Producer: Kelsey Ross
Editor & Producer: Mel Dyjak
Director: Megan Michels
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
There's a call coming in. I was like, Oh my gosh.
So I pick it up and it says, Laura, we finally found Echo
Simmi for you. And I was like, my gosh, like it
was, I was so happy my mom wasn't at home in that moment.
Like she came back like 30 minutes after that.
And I was just like, I was so happy.
(00:20):
And then we both cried. Hello and welcome to a very
special episode of Life Exchange, Stories of
Understanding. I am your host, Kelsey Ross, and
(00:40):
we have got guests in the studiotoday and I'm so excited about
it. I'm going to turn it over to
them to introduce. Themselves, I'm Lexie, I am a
host mom right here in Michigan.I'm an LC and I also am a staff
member at by a Few USA. I'm Laura.
I'm 17 years old. I'm an exchange student from
Germany and yeah, I'm living here in Michigan.
(01:03):
Awesome. Thank you both so much for being
here and talking with us today. So to get started, Laura, why
don't we start with you? How did you first come up with
the idea of going on exchange? It started like.
Since I've been a little kid, like I was it when I was like 6
or 7 years old, I always wanted to do that.
(01:24):
I always wanted to live the typical American life at a high
school and just, yeah, enjoy my teenage years and it's always
been a dream. Of mine, Were there people in
your family or your friends thathad studied?
Abroad before or No, it's my uncle lives in the US and that's
(01:45):
always been something like I want to get to know the country
where he lives and yeah. Shit makes sense.
I think it was like a couple years ago, I was just like
watching videos on YouTube of other exchange students and
there was one that went through YFU and that's when I got to
(02:06):
know this organization. And then two years ago I was
starting to apply and we looked.At.
All kinds of different organizations and then we then
here with wife you and it's beena very good experience.
So far, it's great. So what was it about?
Why, if you that made you and your family choose this
(02:28):
organization over others? Everybody.
Was just so welcoming and so nice.
Like there's not a single personthat I met through why if you
that hasn't been nice, that hadn't been so friendly.
And yeah, it it's been just a great journey so far with wife
you and I would like to continuewith like doing stuff with my if
(02:50):
you like as an LC or volunteering or yeah.
And we've heard it a couple of times, Elsie, for our listeners
who may not understand, Lexie, could you provide some insight?
What does that mean? What is that?
Yeah. So I started my Elsie journey
about a year ago. I think it was a year and April
or May. What does Elsie?
(03:10):
Stand for LC stands for Local coordinators so my role as a
local coordinator is to recruit new house families and really
support the international student and the host family
through their exchange year. I LLC currently for three
students, a girl from Germany, agirl from Thailand and then a
boy from Austria. So I mean, I've made long
(03:32):
lasting relationships not only with my own host daughter, but
with these students that I LLC for.
And it's just an incredible experience because you're
helping them through culture shock and homesickness and all
of these things. They really interest in you and
they it makes your bond so much tighter because you help them
through some of like, the shakier times where they're
(03:55):
like, I really want to be here and I really want to do this,
but it's hard right now, Yeah. That's awesome.
And what I understand being a local coordinator is like it is
a volunteer thing, but yeah, there is an element of
compensation to it. But yeah, not it's not like a
full time job is that no. It's it's more so a contract
position. So you're paid for what you do,
(04:16):
contract paid volunteer. It's one of those things where
you do it because you love what you do.
Yeah, totally. And let's go back to you.
Let's see. And how did you first hear about
YFU? So I have lived in the Saginaw
area where the national office is my entire life and I never.
Heard of YFU? Yep.
And then I saw a job posting on Indeed for the local coordinator
(04:40):
position. I was staying home a lot at the
time. I was like, OK, you know, I
didn't really knew a whole lot of what it entailed.
And I applied. I got a call.
Did an interview with the community manager here in
Michigan and her and I, like hitit off right away.
So she's like, I think he'd be so good at this.
Yeah, we, we talked it over and I just dove in, had purse.
(05:02):
There was no going back. There.
And I definitely know what you're talking about with
connecting to Deb right away. She was actually one of the
first interviews I did before coming to YFU.
So shout out to Deb. Yeah.
So All right, so you became a local coordinator, You started
helping out other exchange. What made you finally decide
that you also wanted to hopes toexchange?
(05:24):
Well, because I can't ask other people, but I don't know what
that's like, right. It's sort of one of those things
where Deb and I were having a conversation and we were like,
OK, you know, we are just getting a game plan together of,
you know, recruitment and what students have been placed so far
for the year and what hat which ones had it and she just said.
(05:44):
Let me. But she said large be the
perfect fit for your family. And I was like, all right, let
me look her up. So I looked her up, run her
profile and I was like, all right.
So I texted my husband and I waslike, honey, I think I really
want to do this. And he just thought, OK, go for
it. And I was shocked because I was
not the reaction that I expectedhim to have.
(06:06):
And we decided to host on a Tuesday night, got our
application in. They like fast-paced everything
because it was right at the end of placement season and our
placement was finalized Wednesday evening and Laura
arrived here in Michigan. We picked her up from the
(06:27):
airport the following Thursday night.
It's. Very fast.
Turn around. Oh my gosh, yeah.
I got the call on that Friday. So I had like 5, not 6 days to
like hag everything. It was kind of, it was kind of
rushing and stressful. But yeah, it all worked out.
Yeah, that's fantastic. And.
What was it about Laura that that felt would be such a good
(06:51):
fit for you and your family? Just her personality and like
because we are vetted, you know,volunteers, we get to see photos
and things like that. And there was a lot of pictures
of her with her family. And they had mentioned in her
profile that she babysits for neighborhood kids.
And we have two small kids at home.
So she just that knows me personally versus just, you
(07:13):
know, the Seattle LC relationships.
So she just, she read it and shewas like, I didn't shoot that.
Laura would be perfect for theirfamilies so and she knew what
she was talking about because itworked out perfect.
Awesome and. Laura, take me to that moment
after waiting and waiting, not hearing anything about, you
know, who's hosting you, and then you finally find out on
(07:34):
that Friday you're getting you're going to be hosted and
you have a family. What is that like?
Oh my gosh, it was roller coaster ride of emotion.
It's like it was so hard, like waiting all summer long, like
all my friends were on vacation.I was waiting and waiting for my
whole screen. And then every single day I was
expecting a call. And then it was, it was just
(07:57):
like you say, you will get the call in the moment where you
least expect it. And it was like that.
Like I was laying in bed, like Iwoke up a little bit earlier
that day and I couldn't fall back asleep.
I was like, OK, OK, so I was just laying in bed scrolling on
my phone and like all of a sudden there's a call coming in.
(08:18):
I was like, Oh my gosh. So I pick it up and it says,
Laura, we finally found Echo Simmi for you.
And I was like, my gosh, like itwas, I was so happy my mom
wasn't at home in that moment. Like she came back like 30
minutes after that and I was just like, I was so happy.
And then we both cried and it was just so we were so happy
(08:41):
like that it finally. Turned out your mom and you
cried together. It sounds like your mom and your
family's been very supportive. Of you being an exchange
student. Oh, yes, like since I've been a
kid, I'm, I'm telling them, yeah, I would like to do that.
They were like, yeah, sure, you we should do that.
That would be a very good experience for you.
And then when we got to that moment where we were like, OK,
(09:04):
we should, we should start to put applications in and stop.
They were the ones that said, OK, we should start this now.
And they were supportive since day one.
And I'm so thankful for that. And it's, they're very
supportive. Yeah.
Wonderful. It's great to have such a
supportive and family, not only your biological family, but
(09:24):
here, yes. Your Pokémon too.
Her parents are pretty awesome though.
Yeah. So you can able to talk to them
and get to know the woman? Yeah, we talk to him every week
when she does. It's awesome.
Gosh, Oh my gosh, she's so cool.Are you?
Do you have siblings with your natural parents or is this your
first time having siblings? No, I have a younger brother.
He shift to you. Okay, yeah, so used to having a
younger sibling with me, not as young as Lexi's.
(09:46):
Just exactly. How has that been different for?
How's the change been with that?Little different than what you'd
expected. Yes, our age gap is pretty big.
It's been kind of hard sometimesbecause like, I'm 17, they're
six and three, yes. So it's been kind of hard
sometimes because they wake up earlier than me and like they're
(10:09):
very high energy, so. But they're awesome.
Like at the end of the day, I still love them, you know?
So with the very short turn around, with finding out you
were going to be hosted by Lexi's family to you hopping off
the plane and there you are. Were you able to talk at all
before that happened to connect a little bit?
Yes, but not a lot. Like, yeah, we were texting stay
(10:31):
like 5 days, maybe 6 days, not awhole lot.
Yeah, because I, I had already known that you were coming, but
you hadn't known that you were coming yet.
Yeah. As soon as you messaged us, you
emailed me that morning. I woke up at like 5:30 in the
morning, and I had an e-mail from.
Yeah. And then Joe and I started
texting you that day, and we texted every day until you got
(10:53):
here. Yeah, we talked like 15 minutes.
Oh, like Monday. Yeah, that.
But it was very, it was pretty short.
Yeah, sure, call. But like, and we've been texting
and like, because it's not a lotof time to get to know each
other. Because if you're thinking about
like, you're gonna live with them for like 10 months and then
(11:13):
like, yeah, yeah, it's a lot to take in all in such a quick
amount of time. Yes, Lexi, how did you and your
family prepare to have Lara can live with you very quickly?
Yeah, Laura's room is. It was the playroom, so we
removed. All of the toys how how the.
Kiddos feel about that. Well, they went to their rooms.
(11:36):
We took all the toys out of there.
We painted it for her. I went on, You got her own
color? No, we painted it Gray because
it was nutrient. But we painted it and I went on
a huge Amazon jobbing spree. We got her bed, decorated her
room, all super cute. And yes, Oh my gosh, it was a
(11:57):
door. It was so love.
And yeah, it turned out so cute,but we just got all got her all
the stuff that she needed yet I made her like a little welcome
gift basket with just like some different things that I knew she
would need right away, you know,shampoo, conditioner, like just
different things for her to try once she got here.
And other than that, I mean, we didn't really prepare a whole
(12:19):
lot just because we knew, you know, she was just coming here
to just integrate within our family.
We just really had to get a room.
Ready. Yeah, the biggest thing too.
And how do your kids feel about having?
A big sister now, they both loveLaura to die.
Gunner likes to irritate her. Oh yeah, it's just a.
(12:40):
Further thing to do Hyper is glued to her head all the time.
Everything is my Sissy, my Sissy, my Sissy.
Where's my Sissy going? When she went on spring break to
her uncle's house in California,Hyper threw a.
When she love. You.
Yeah, she was so mad at her. But yeah, the kids absolutely
(13:02):
love her just like we do. Sounds like they were pretty on
board, but that's from the very.Yeah.
They referred to Laura as Sissy before we even picked her up in
there. Yeah.
I think it was just like, we're going to get our sister.
It wasn't even like we're going to get Laura or like it was just
we're going to get Sissy. They didn't.
They don't know her as anything else.
They didn't question it, I feel.You know, not at all.
(13:25):
Before coming here, did you haveany sort of like, ideas of what
the United States would be like?And you know, with having family
here, you have a pretty strong idea what it's like.
Yeah, thought I did. But in the end, I did not like
not as I thought I would have just because like, I feel like
every state is different and every family is different.
(13:47):
So I, I was watching YouTube videos to like get a kind of an
idea and not be like throwing the cold water.
Like I just thought that everybody would be so nice,
which is a fact. I watch a lot of videos about
how high school is going to be because that was like my biggest
year. I had no idea how it's going to
(14:08):
be. I did I didn't know a single
person there. That was like the one one thing
I was most afraid of because like when we were first texting,
I knew that we were going to click right away and we.
Did let's have both of you go back to that moment.
You hop off the plane, you are in the United States, you get
(14:28):
through all the security, get your bags and you meet your
house family. What was that like for you?
I was pretty tired because my flight got delayed like couple
times for like always like 10 minutes, then another 20
minutes, then another 15 minutes.
I don't know, it was pretty late.
It was like almost. Midnight when I arrived.
(14:49):
At the airport and then nobody was there.
Like it was just our flight. We were just walking out.
Nobody was there. And then like I've seen you guys
like through the window and I was like, gosh, there they are.
I can't go back now. Walking.
And they were like, all so cute.Like, the kids were kind of
hesitating at first, but I understand that.
(15:09):
It's like I'm a complete stranger and I'm just walking up
to them. But you guys were just hugging
me. It was, yeah.
It was so cute. Well, I remember asking her
before she came cuz I was like, I'm a hugger.
Like are you gonna be weirded out if you can stay apart?
And I like run up and give you this big hug.
But that's exactly what happened.
It wasn't like we talked about this after like one of your
(15:30):
first weeks here. I thought it was gonna be like
awkward when she wasn't at all. And it wasn't at all.
It was just like you're not onlyhere.
It's like when you're welcoming home, like like when my mom
comes home from California, it wasn't any different.
Like it was just like excitementof her being here.
And finally, the whole week of anticipation.
You both have problems to California one of your.
(15:51):
Yeah. Yeah.
Oh my gosh. So I imagine your your kids must
have been exhausted. Yeah.
They look pretty rough in the picture.
When Laura first got here, Gunner looked so crabby, like he
was shy. Yeah, he was.
He was was very shy. It took him a little bit longer,
like the paper. She was like kind of hesitating.
(16:14):
Like when we were driving home from the airport, she would just
like look at me and then like, look, look down.
The next day. I was, she was like, I was
holding her the first time and then she was like kind of
hesitating after that. But then like it was it didn't
take us very long. No, it didn't take her very
long. No, it used to be in the house.
(16:37):
No, not at. All so you get settled in for
the night. You're going to have to get
ready to go to school and check out American High School.
Was there anything that you had told Laura to prepare for, for
what it would be like? No.
So the day after she got here, we actually went to the school
because I I wanted to break her in.
(16:58):
The counselors walked her aroundthe school and showed her what
all of her classes were going tobe.
We went over her schedule, worked on how to open her
locker. Oh, that shouldn't be a while
that took. You a while the combo lock.
Yeah. Oh yeah.
So we went over to open her locker, different things like
that. The principal actually brought
in a few of the students that was to meet her.
(17:20):
So that was pretty cool. So we she got to see the school
and everything before her first day, just like throwing her in
Yeah. And I I'm pretty sure I did walk
you and do your. First days.
Oh, yeah, you did it. Yeah.
I was so scared, like, yeah, I was because the school year had
had already begun. So it was like the the week of
(17:40):
school that I went in. Yeah.
So I was like scared how everybody's going to react
because the school is not very big.
So they recognize a new face. And they did.
And everybody was, they weren't hesitating.
Like they were just asking me questions, who I am, where I'm
from. They already do that.
(18:02):
An exchange student from Germanyis going to come.
So. Yeah.
What grade did you end up in here in the United States?
I'm a junior. You're a junior.
OK. So you'd watch videos to kind of
prepare you for what life in American high school would be
like. How would that compare to what
it actually was like for you? Was it pretty spot on?
In some ways, like everybody always says how nice American
(18:27):
people are like that. They're so like asking about
your culture and asking questions.
And they did. That was right.
But like, of course, like when Iwas wouldn't watch like a video
a day at my high school, of course it wasn't the same
because they different classes. Yeah their high school is
different but I feel like watching videos really helped me
(18:49):
not to be like super surprised. But I hear a lot that we're very
loud. Is that true in your experience
that Americans are quite loud? Yeah, Yeah, I would say so,
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.
And so she how did you try to help her through those first day
(19:09):
fears? So we we bonded like really?
Oh yes. Like we were just best friends
from the get go. Joe and I tried to be very
encouraging. You're going to do great.
You've got this, You know, just making her know that
everything's not going to be perfect.
You're going to be scared, you're going to be nervous, but
that's OK. You don't have to walk in and be
(19:31):
super confident and you know, it's OK to be nervous.
You got to feel all the emotionswhen you go through this kind of
thing. So it wasn't, it was it was just
getting over that hurdle of the first couple of days.
After the first couple of days when she kind of settled in was
when the homesickness kind of started to settle in a little
bit. But I feel like Joe and I tried
to just like give you just enough face, like, yes, we
(19:56):
didn't want you hibernating in your like, if she was in there
for too long, I would just knockon the door and I would go in
and she'd be kind of fine a little bit late.
And then she would kind of like breakdown.
And I'm like, no, no, no, come here.
Let me just give you a hug, you know?
But Joe and I just tried to giveher just enough space where she
didn't feel like we were crowding her, but she knew that
we were there. And then if she needed anything,
(20:19):
we were going to either a drop of the hat.
I've been on the topic of homesickness so that you and
your husband Joe gave her space,but we're still present telling
her that you were there for her.Do you have any other tips for
host parents who have an exchange student in their home
that's struggling with their homesick?
That's I think the biggest thingthat has helped with like,
(20:39):
especially Laura's homesickness,not contacting your natural
appearance every day. Yeah, it's really, really hard
thing to do, but once like you talk to your family once a week,
you usually talk to your family with you, but the more
(21:00):
consistent contact that they have with their natural periods,
some types hurts them more than it helps them those first couple
of weeks. That's totally normal because
wow, that's terrifying sometimesto just be in a new place with a
whole new family and but as it kind of progresses a little bit,
it's almost seems to be better for the students when they limit
(21:22):
that contact where. OK, I have a whole.
Week's worth of stuff for to tell you about you have a good
hour hour and a half long conversation but you're still
present and there with your hostfamily because it's important to
maintain both of yeah it's it's.Fun to be like on the exchange,
not right. That's what I feel like.
And that helped me too. Like I wasn't, I didn't text
(21:45):
them every single day. Like the first days,
everything's just silly. I was like taking a picture of
my schedule and send that to them.
And they were like react with the with thumbs up.
And that was like all the interaction we had.
And then like, yeah, I usually don't text them like every
single day. It's just sometimes when I have
a question or something, I just ask my mom or my dad.
(22:08):
That's maybe once a week. It's not a lot.
Yeah, yeah. And your experience, do you have
any advice for exchange studentswho may be struggling with their
homesickness and how to handle that and overcoming?
Yeah. Just like almost to say that you
to set, it's just like try to focus on your exchange year and
(22:31):
not I know it's hard. I know it's hard in the 1st
place, but try to talk to peopleto if you're homesick like
because of your family injured in your home country, maybe talk
to your friends in your home country like if that makes
sense, like or talk to your hostparents, your host siblings had
(22:51):
for I don't know if you have funfriends already, try to talk to
them. Teachers, I don't know, but try
to focus on being in the presentmoment and not always trying to
look back. Yeah, yeah.
Do you have any advice for exchange students on making
friends when they get to their new school?
(23:12):
Just try and be open. Yeah, I think that's the best
way to try and do sports, do sports, be open and like it's
going to everything's going to develop the way it should be.
And it also took me a while to find my real friends my
frequently that I have now and just try to be open and do
(23:32):
sports. Sports helped me a lot and I
think it's a very important thing to do.
Also like to experience the spirit of high school sports,
which is incredible. I think that's an overall advice
that I could give to everybody. What sports did you end up
playing? I played volleyball in the fall,
but I came in late like 2 weeks like in the season all yeah
(23:55):
whatever. And then in the winter I played
basketball and spring up played soccer.
Had you ever played these sportsbefore coming to the United
States? No, like not seriously in
Germany, but like in school sports, like when I was hanging
out with friends who are playingvolleyball a little bit, but not
(24:15):
like I'm not good. It was just more for fun.
Make it. So since we're on the topic of
trying new things, were there any other new things that you
got to try here for the first time in the United States?
Food wise or like? Yeah, let's start with food.
What sort of foods were you ableto try?
All kinds of fast foods. Like, yeah.
(24:36):
Like. What's been your favorite?
I don't know. Oh, Chick-fil-A.
Let's say Chick-fil-A. OK, yes, I.
Like Chick-fil-A? Gotcha.
She tried to eat fried Pickles for the first time.
Oh yeah, yeah. But that's not like a.
No gold eggs? She tried double.
Oh yeah, I did. I really liked.
It we tried some German dishes. But.
Yeah, I bet you really like. Yeah, she made.
(25:00):
It's kind of like her childhood.I wouldn't consider it as
typical German, but it's just like what I grew up with and
what I love in my childhood thatI tried to make.
Yeah, and it's basically you boil potatoes and you slice
them. You're making a whole recipe
here. Yeah, and write this.
Down. Right.
You do potatoes and then eggs, hard boiled eggs.
(25:23):
OK, OK, slice them and then hot dogs.
And we went to go look. She's like, I need sausages.
And so I'm bringing her to like sausage like what we would
consider a sausage like. Frozen ones or like.
No, like the, like the fresh or the counter, like, Yep.
OK, sausage. And she's like, this is that
right? And I'm like, what are you
(25:44):
talking about? So we're looking around the
store and she goes and she picksup this thing of Col.
Vienna's. And I was like hot dogs.
And she goes, these are sausages.
I was like, girl, those are hot.So that's one thing that we've
always got. Yeah.
But you just kind of layer it like that.
And then she makes this and I, I'm not gonna lie, I was really
(26:06):
scared to try it. I thought it was going to be
really gross. But it's actually very good.
Yeah. And now it's become like one of
the staples in our house. Yeah.
Does it have a name? It's just like potato caster
movie. And we make Schweitzler too from
Germany. Mono Schweitzler.
It's like. So good.
Yeah, a lot. Of work so good, really good for
(26:29):
sure. With the hot dog versus sausage
debate, that reminded me of another question.
Are there any other kind of funny moments of like, not
mistranslation, but maybe misunderstanding bread toast?
Yeah, Yeah. I always tease them.
Like, I feel like Americans don't know real friends.
The last a few interviews we've had so far from American
(26:51):
students going to Germany and they're they brave about the
bread. What is up with the bread?
You. Guys have toast here.
Like what you consider bread is toast.
Like you put it in the toaster and you toast it that you eat
it. OK.
But our bread in Germany is like, like what you would
consider sourdough bread. But it's not only sourdough.
(27:12):
We have like different kinds. But like that's how it looks
like. It kind of tastes like.
Gotcha. Yeah.
It's. Gotta have a crust.
Yeah, the crust, the. Crust in it.
OK. I mean, you're right.
It's much better. It is.
It's so much better, yeah. Were you able to share any of
your family's traditions or maybe some traditional foods
that you all eat together with Laura?
(27:33):
Yeah, so I think my favorite thing or her favorite thing that
we have made, one of the first nights she was here, we made
steak and then I make these potatoes.
Yeah, it's not typical, no American, but it's like like
what? You just made what I love.
You know, Yeah. Yeah.
Because I knew that you liked that stuff.
(27:53):
Well, she did try venison. My husband Joe made venison and
she loved it when I tried. To.
Yeah, but you and Pon both really liked it.
So we we totally hosted a girlfriend Thailand as well that
I'm all seeing for. And Joe made them venison one
night and they absolutely loved it.
(28:13):
And so I remember Pon saying that she had texted her mom and
said, look, I'm eating deer. And I was like, like, baby, I
remember we all just laughed about it.
They're like, well, we don't really think about it that way.
Yeah. So you've gotten destroyed
venison and the deep fried Pickles?
Ranch Ranch is the absolute best.
(28:35):
It's an elite tier condiment. Y'all just need to get with it.
Yeah. Why is ranch not a thing in your
in like Germany or other European countries?
Any ideas? I don't know any I will.
Trace some back when I get. Back I have talked to like other
alumni, former state shooters and they will have their host
families mail them bottles of ranch.
(28:56):
I think that's what we're gonna do.
Like we're gonna. Trade.
Yeah, Exchange stuff, yeah. I'll send you ranch for those.
Candies. Oh yeah.
My parents sent a package for Christmas and I asked them if
they could put some a little German candy in there because I
wanted them to try it and they loved it.
Like like chocolate, kind of stuff like kidney, like gummy
(29:19):
bears, like kind of stop and they get off of it.
Yeah, it's basically like a hazelnut with like caramel and
then it's encased in chocolate and it's.
Something really good. I might still have some.
You're hiding from. Holding out on you.
Dang, Holding out on you for food.
What? Girl, what's going on since,
(29:39):
like you briefly mentioned Christmas, where you share quite
a few holidays in the United States and Germany, Yeah.
What were some of the things that you noticed that were a
little different about these shared holidays in the United
States versus how you celebrate them in Germany?
Probably the most, the biggest thing, it's like in Germany, we
get our present on Christmas Eve, like in the night, and you
(30:01):
guys get them on Christmas Day in the morning.
Like you wake up to the presents.
I actually don't know which way I like better Yeah, I I enjoyed
it like having a little bit differently fun time.
But yeah, I would say the. Biggest difference?
And was there any holiday traditions that Laura was able
(30:22):
to share with you during her time here with you?
So we we went to my grandma's. So it, it's been a long time
tradition in our family that we make Hard Rock candy.
So we made Hard Rock candy this year.
We kind of started something newand Joe and Laura and we all
went out to the garage and they built little wooden Christmas
(30:43):
trees. So Joe taught her how to work
the drill and. I do that BC.
Yeah, but but they, they all built something together.
So I've got like something that she built that I can keep out on
the porch for Christmas. And we just, we do, we have a
very big family, so we do a lot of different things for
(31:05):
Christmas. I think our Christmas
festivities went all the way. Oh, New Year's, Yeah.
New Year's Day was. Yeah, it was New Year's Day.
We got a puppy, yeah. Yeah.
Oh my gosh, do you have? Pets in your home in Germany?
I don't really. So yeah, that's happened for
you. Crazy, crazy.
(31:26):
But you love her like our pets, so we have a lot of them.
Yeah, that's. Not to say I remember you have a
lot of animals at your home, so that's been a pretty big change
for you. What have been your favorite to
spend time with? I love just like hanging around
with the dogs outside, like so excited and they just run
(31:46):
around. And then sometimes I would just
like to snuggle the cat, you know, like, whatever I'm in the
mood for. Fair enough not not to bring
mood down, but out of curiosity,I mean, it's not always sunshine
and rainbows when you're on exchange or when you're hosting.
So were there any challenges that you and your family has had
(32:08):
to overcome together? How did you go about doing that?
I feel like. For me, the biggest thing was
coming here and then adjust and then like trying to figure
everything out for myself because it's no secret you
change a lot during an exchange year and trying to get
(32:30):
everything together, mature a lot and you're in a whole
different environment and like adjust to the family here and
then like and hold contact with your life in Germany.
And like all that kind of stuff comes together and it's not
easy. It's there's always a thing
(32:51):
that's like hard, but you grow so much and that's been the
biggest thing. And I'm proud of how we all did
it because it's just, it's so great.
I'm so grateful for like how we all did it, you know?
And like, it's hard, but it willturn out very well in the end.
(33:13):
How about from your perspective?Well, I think communication was
just like one of our biggest issues because when Laura first
got here, we knew that she was struggling with, you know, being
here and being somewhere new. We didn't want to like lay the
(33:33):
shimmer down as soon as she got here, So you know what I mean?
There's just certain little things when you live with
another person that you are not that you haven't lived with your
whole life, you know what I mean?
Like even people that you have lived with your whole life, why
would they do things? Just.
Like that, it's just life, it's just human nature.
(33:53):
And so I think we both had to kind of adjust to the way that
we live our life and the way that she was used to living her
life back at home and making sure that we were communicating
that. That was one of the biggest
things that I can stress as far as like the host family, host
son or daughter relationship is making sure that communication
(34:16):
is top notch. The biggest advice.
But yeah, we've been currently keep big good in the beginning
and then like. We're very commutative now,
like. Yeah, we talk about everything.
Yeah. Yeah.
And Speaking of communicating, when Laura arrived and just
(34:37):
throughout the beginning of her time with you and your family,
was there ever any conversationsthat you as a family had
together with Laura to talk about like boundaries or like
house rules? Yeah, so we didn't really say
anything to her the night that she got here.
But like the next morning we didhave a conversation about like
(34:58):
Life 360. We have that on our phone and
basically just told her we're not gonna make you have a curfew
and we know where you are, we know who you're with, we know
you're being safe, but we kind of had to build that trust with
her as far as you know. Had that from the beginning.
We did, I did. And you ever broke the trust
where I was like, girl, maybe not, but as long as I knew what
(35:23):
she was doing and who she was with.
And I think she uses like 360 tostalk me more than I use it.
Sometimes I just want to know when you're back home.
We planned the whole basketball team, the coaches, Joe and I,
and the player. We all planned the surprise
birthday party for her for her 17th birthday.
And I told Joe I was like, Oh mygosh, we're going to have to
(35:43):
like figure out we're both goingto shut our location off and she
is going to be on us because it's going to send her a
notification saying that we turned.
It didn't. No, I just have that because I
was looking where you guys are. Yeah, I knew that something was
going on. Like you guys could just like
something was going on and that was like, OK, so it's the day
(36:06):
before my birthday and you guys are all actually kind of
suspicious suspiciously. And then I was like, OK, where
that because she told me that they're going to her.
Grandma's, yeah. So it was like looking OK, like
I don't know, I just had a feeling and then I was looking
at and I saw that you guys location was off.
(36:30):
That is weird. And it ended up being so good,
though. Like she walked in and everybody
from the team was there. Coach came to our house and
picked her up and the whole teamand everybody was there.
I got a video from her parents to play during her birthday.
Oh my gosh, that's so cute. I think everybody cried.
Nobody had any idea what they were saying.
We all just knew that it was sweet.
(36:52):
But yeah, it was, it was a lot of fun.
Everybody. Everybody just enjoyed being
able to celebrate you and it wasfun.
It was. So would you say you were?
Surprised. Yes, OK.
Like it was at my friend's houseand I walked in.
My coach told me to get some boxes and I was just walking in.
Somebody like was pulling the door as I was opening it, I was
(37:13):
like whoa. And then I I walk in and I turn
and like everybody's standing there.
And in that moment, I was kind of surprised.
I wasn't expecting it to be there.
I was expecting it to be somewhere else, like later on.
But yeah, it was so sweet. Has Laura been able to teach you
any Germans since in your time here?
(37:35):
I'm not that I can pronounce. Sir.
We she's taught the kids a lot. I didn't.
It's more than us, really. I mean, I'll ask her to like,
say things just so that I can hear it.
And sometimes when she's talkingto her parents, like there's
certain words that I keep hearing.
That sounds similar. Yeah, there's a lot of German
(37:57):
words that sound similar to English words, so sometimes I'll
get the gist of what she's trying to say, but not.
Gotcha going back to the life 360 ish.
Is that a thing for German parents really?
Okay, so how did you feel about having to have that on your
phone? Was that?
I didn't have a problem. Like it was just we were talking
(38:18):
about it and I know they were using it.
I was like, because you guys said to me like you won't if we
know where you are, we're fine with it and you won't have like
Torpy or anything. It was like if I know like, and
it's also helping me like sometimes figuring out like like
when you guys are picking me up.So I see where you guys are at.
And yeah, I don't, it's not a thing in Germany, but it's a
(38:42):
thing here. So that's another.
I was saying that I was like, OK, it's a thing here, so I'm
just going to live with it. And it's part of the culture,
kind of. So yeah.
I mean, it wasn't a control thing.
It was more so just like, not atall.
If something happened. Yeah.
And you can't tell me where you are, I need to be able to know
where you are, right. Kind of thing.
(39:03):
Because at the end of the day, we're still your guardians and
we're still responsible for you while you're here.
And so that was important for usto.
It was really only like the onlyrole that we had.
I mean, we, we know that you're doing what you're supposed to
be. She has a great group of
friends. Like I don't worry about her
when she's with her friends. So as long as I know when she's
(39:24):
coming home and what she's doinglike.
You having younger children and now hosting the teenagers, but
kind of like a crash course for parenting a teen in a way, would
you say? Yeah.
I mean, it's definitely different, yeah.
Because you don't have to raise me.
Oh, yeah, it's, it's just different, I think, especially
(39:47):
because like, I'm eleven years older than she is, so it's kind
of like, right. I don't, I mean, yes, I'm her
host mom, but we're really just friends.
It's not. Like, yeah, it's not like a
mother of tire. Gotcha.
If you ever thought about bringing the world into your
(40:07):
home with YFUUSA, hey, that's us.
You can. By hosting an exchange student,
you'll experience a new culture right in your own home.
It's an incredible opportunity to make lifelong connections and
help a young student discover the American way of life.
Visit yfuusa.org to learn more about how you can become a host
daily today. Did your parents have any sort
(40:31):
of hesitancy about sending you to live with a host family where
the mom's only 11 years old? No, not at all.
OK, My mom was like when I was showing her the picture and
she's like, Oh my gosh, they look so young and I was texting
them. I was like, how old are you
guys? You told me my mom was like,
that can be a good thing becausethen you guys could understand
(40:52):
each other a little bit better. She she suffered the first
second. She's like, that's actually a
good thing. Like, it's probably not going to
be like a mother and like a. Mom and dad for you, but like
friends kind of Yeah. And that like, it's a good thing
that's what you're saying. I'll admit I haven't posted an
exchange student myself. And that was always one of my
(41:14):
biggest worries. Well, they're going to look at
me like I'm a big sister. They're not really going to.
I'm not going to be mom or dad. I'm not going to be mom to them.
I I was all. I was kind of curious how that
was for both of your perspectives.
That's an interesting way of putting it.
So you would also mention that you were able to spend spring
break with your uncle in California.
Are there any other parts of theUnited States that you got to
(41:36):
experience for the first time? We were looking at like a route
where we live here. We were just going somewhere for
the days and like I will definitely come back.
I will. You might travel somewhere with
you guys then and just step by step.
Gotcha. Yeah.
Where around the state have you shown or?
(41:58):
Went to Frank and Lil was first.How authentic is Frank in the
actual Germany? It's OK, we already know
Funtorsky stuff. It's.
Pretty thirsty. Gotcha.
We were eating in like a Bavarian restaurant.
(42:18):
Seen the waiters and I was like,their clothing looks kind of
cheap. It was like, yeah, like it's
maybe nice for people who don't have a clue about Germany.
Like, take a peek. Yeah, but.
We just pronounced the food wrong number.
Oh yes, yes, I forgot about that.
(42:41):
Yeah, she tried to pronounce thefood then we were going to
order, but she didn't have a clue what she was talking.
About SO. Yeah, didn't she call it spats
holders? I don't know, but it was.
I don't. Know.
What that means? You know did.
It feel almost like stereotypical jerk.
Yeah. OK, that's playing into
(43:02):
stereotypes a little bit, All right, Yeah.
Were there did people ask you questions during your time here
at a Change about like, different German stereotypes?
I won't say necessarily stereotypes.
They were just very interested in how school is like, how I
(43:22):
live, about my family, my friends, kind of like what I do
in that Germany general a lot like it was a lot more about me.
I really appreciate. That with differences in the
schools between the United States and Germany.
Well, now we hear a lot about it's obviously, you know, sports
are in the schools here in the United States and dances are
(43:45):
things that we do in the United States, and those things don't
necessarily happen in German schools all the time.
Were there any other big differences that you notice,
like where maybe classes were a little different or how people
teach or how even like your classmates will talk to you?
Yeah, like the the relationship between teachers and students
(44:06):
here is I really like it becauseit's not like non formal.
Yes, it's it's way more formal in Germany than like it is here.
Here they ask you like students ask the teachers all the time.
What did you do on the weekend? How are you kids?
What's your dog's name? Whatever, all that kind of
stuff. Nobody in German to do that I
(44:29):
feel like. So yeah, I really like it
because it makes it more fun andlike the vibe of Sway.
Not so strict on like you. We have to learn.
We went off on a tangent. We were talking about different
areas of Michigan that you got to share with Laura.
We talked about freaking mood. Were there any other places?
Who She went to the MSU basketball game.
(44:54):
Yeah, that was amazing. I went to two.
Yeah. Sit here.
I take it y'all are Michigan State fans?
Yeah. OK.
How does it feel to be wrong girl?
She tried. She asked me before they went,
she said, you know what's like Michigan, Michigan State.
And I was like, girl, you are a Michigan State fan and I will
(45:14):
not have it any other way. And Joe was like, no, Laura.
And I said, Laura, if you bring a piece of Michigan memorabilia
and into I know we're gonna haveissues.
So she got home. Are there like big rivalries
like that between like colleges or like sports teams in Germany
like 2? Maybe sports teams like I say.
(45:36):
It is a lovely shade of blue andgold.
So Michigan State basketball game Are there any other like
family tricks for weekend getaways that you were able to
share with Laura? I went with friends.
To the Mackinop. OK.
That was amazing. Yeah.
It was so cool to see, like up North Michigan.
And we went, we drove over the bridge and like on the other
(46:00):
side, it was like, Oh my gosh, we're the other part of Michigan
right now. Yeah, we drove back.
And that was very interesting. Yeah.
Were you able to see Mackinaw Island?
No. OK.
We didn't go there. Add it to the bucket list.
It's a great place to go. OK.
I will in the summertime when it's.
Absolutely. Especially when the lilacs are
(46:20):
blooming. That's beautiful.
It's in right around this time, actually.
But yeah, it's funny that, like,my great grandfather helped
build the Mackinac Bridge. That's amazing.
Yeah. Some little connection there.
Have people done the hand map for you to show?
Like, oh, wait. Oh, yeah, you're in AP or I was
here. I live here.
I love it. Yeah.
(46:40):
So easy, just like just to know where it is, to know where you
are, like to show people also back in Germany, I'm going to be
like, OK, so I live like right here.
I love it. It's such a cool.
Thing it's so easy. It's so and everybody will
understand. Did you notice any differences
like when you were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, did you
notice the differences between like us down here versus some of
(47:03):
the what we call Ukers? I've heard differences in Holly
talk. Did you notice the differences?
Really. We were just like driving around
eating, so it wasn't like a fakething.
But I don't understand. Recognize something unnecessary.
Yeah. That's fair.
All right. So we're talking about like
Commission contradictions and things like that.
(47:25):
I know you have been able to kind of watch Laura experience
some of these first time things through like a mom's eyes.
So was there one a first time moment with Laura that really
like stood out to you as something that was really
impactful? I think getting her ready for
prom was, like, really cool. I mean, just getting her ready,
(47:47):
tearing a little bit. Yeah.
And just like, we did a day of dress shopping.
So with Joe and I so much. Yeah.
And we took her to Texas Roadhouse after because we
ranted and raved off rolls to butter.
So we went to Texas Roadhouse and we had dinner and dress
shopping. Yeah.
(48:08):
We had a blast. Even Joe was picking out dress
and she had, she ended up liking, I think the one that
Joey picked out most out of all of them.
And we were like, yeah. He's got good taste.
I know, I know. How was?
What did you think about problems?
It was so cool. It was amazing.
It was like, what's the MichiganState basketball game?
My top two? Yeah, it was an awesome day.
(48:30):
Like I went brunch with my friends and we made our bookcase
and we took pictures and then I got ready.
Her sister came over and did my hair and then it was amazing.
And we went to kind of like a park and took pictures there,
and it was so cool. And like, going to the dance
(48:53):
he's eating there and then dance.
It was so much fun. It was so much fun.
Hit a blast. So cool.
Yeah. The bouquets.
OK Was that a thing when you were?
No, I was the corsage. Yes.
Right. So I wouldn't.
What did that do? I have no idea.
When she said they were making bouquets, I was like.
So don't you like, hold the bouquet all night?
(49:14):
Yeah, no. So like pictures?
Got it. OK.
Like for a picture. OK, OK.
Yeah, I remember like hearing like some of these extrations
talking about having a piece of the what are you talking about?
It was always the core size and.The yes.
The bus still have. Okay, that's still a thing for
yeah. Okay, interesting.
(49:34):
Great. So your time here is starting to
wind down, your time together starting to wind down.
Well, I kind of have an idea howwe're feeling about it, but how
are we feeling about that? Really, that really, really
that. Don't know how to feel.
It's such a it's so hard talkingabout it.
(49:54):
My heart, it's like super heavy right now.
I'm so sad like this, I said. I said in the beginning it's
always been a dream. And now knowing that my dream is
over and like looking back, I wonder could I could have done
some things differently? Should have done some things
differently? Like I don't know.
(50:17):
Realizing it's coming to an end and it really makes me sad and I
know it's almost over and I'm it's never going to be the same
but like on the other side I am happy to see my family and
friends again and all that but it's so hard thinking about it.
So we want to get into it. It's just like, I don't know,
it's just like sending a piece of my heart somewhere else.
(50:39):
Like I know I'm gonna see her again.
And we're going to talk all the time, but it's like, it's like
sending one of your kids that way.
Like even though I know she's going back home to her loving
family that has literally raisedher whole life other than this
year, but it's like it's like just watching, like sending your
kid away and then it hurts. And I think my whole family is
(51:02):
going to be so discombobulated. But let me get through it.
Sounds like we have plans to keep connected and Oh yeah and
see each other again. Great.
So would you consider hosting another exchange student in the?
Future Oh yeah, we definitely will.
We definitely will. We were hooked.
Our kids love it and I just I love the aspect of being able to
(51:25):
have all of these meaningful relationships with people from
all around the world. Our kids, you know, have a
sister that now lives, you know,will will live back in Germany.
It's, you know, all of the exchange students that I have
LCD for like our kids grew really close to pond and so
they'll have a sister that livesat Thailand and you know it just
(51:48):
it's so it's so meaningful. I tell her all the time, like
sometimes I even forget that you're from Germany like that
you haven't just been here forever because it doesn't it
doesn't feel like that like she's just scared.
She's just her daughter and thenthis is it.
No going back, right? Stuck with us forever.
What does the future hold for you when you go back to Germany?
(52:11):
What are your plans? School.
Yeah. So do you.
Have more high school to better shop then yeah, four years.
Gotcha. I will.
Graduate in Germany and I'm planning on the university in
Germany. Don't quite know what for you
what? Do you find to decide?
And I will come back. I don't know if I'm gonna live
here or in Germany or wherever. We will see.
(52:35):
I don't know yet, but I'm kind of undecided.
But I feel like I'm gonna. I'm getting there.
OK, there's a big live world ahead of you.
There's bright future. Nothing you have to decide.
There's nothing you have to decide today.
Yeah, probably better if you don't take your time.
Feel like the old lady Lexi. What's the future hold for you
(52:58):
and your family? Sounds like potentially choosing
another exchange student. Yeah, so I think we're going to
take a break from hosting this next year and grieve messing,
Laura, but we'll definitely backbe back at it.
And I'll still be out seeing something I'm very passionate
about. I enjoy what I do.
So get bigger and older and you just keep tricking along and
(53:21):
we'll definitely keep in touch and.
Would you ever let your kids study?
Abroad, I tell them that all thetime, but they as soon as
they're old enough, they're going to live at Sissy's.
House the year. Awesome.
Because I think, I just think it's so great.
And I mean starting with. Excuse for visit Perfect.
(53:43):
So for somebody who may be considering studying abroad or
going on exchange, what do you have to say to them and what
advice do you have for them? Do it, be open, like just be
curious. Yeah, yeah, yeah it.
Makes sense? Yeah, curious.
Try it out. It's a very great thing to do.
(54:05):
It's the best experience I've ever had.
Everybody should be able to experience that, and it will
help them with all kinds of situations.
It's not only experiencing the American life, it's about
growing too, and becoming an adult.
How would you say your perspective on Germany and the
(54:25):
United States has changed since your time?
That it's a lot about the peoplethat you are with and you should
choose your people and don't waste your time just because you
have limited time. I know it sounds so weird but
that's what I've learned here. I only had ten months and I kind
of regret, I kind of regret thatI have done some things earlier.
(54:50):
And if you're unhappy, change something, go somewhere else and
find yourself. OK, good for you.
Why should somebody host an exchange student?
It seems even for me being an LCfor why have you, before
hosting, it was still very kind of scary.
(55:12):
You don't know. You don't know what you don't
know. So until you jump in and just do
it, it kind of seems bizarre almost in a way, because
everybody seems to know somebodywho's hosted, but their their
response is always, oh, but I could never.
Yeah, coming from personal experience, I wouldn't have
(55:35):
changed it for the world. Like it brought our family
closer. And we have just created such a
lifelong meaningful relationshipwith Laura and say, I wouldn't
change it for the world. I mean, it's, it's probably one
of my best adults. Like because you don't, it's
(55:55):
very scary when you think about it.
I mean, at the same time, a lot of people don't understand you
don't just have some random stranger living with you.
Like you pick your student and you get to talk to your student
and at the end of the day, they are a student.
It's not just some random, you know, adult from somewhere that
you don't know, that you've never spoken to coming to live
in your home. Like this is a student that
(56:17):
wants to be here and they work really hard to be here.
I mean, it's not just to sign your name on the dotted line and
here you go. Like they have to work at being
here and filling out applications and doing all of
the things to be here and it's. Just I wouldn't go back.
It's for first time post parents.
Do you have any advice for them?Yeah.
(56:39):
I would just say make sure that you are doing what you would
normally do on a daily basis. That's what they're coming here
to do is to experience us and what we do on a daily basis and
make sure that if something bothers you, if they leave the
bathroom floor when they get outof the shower, because in some
countries you can do that. It doesn't ruin your stuff.
But here it does. If, if they're small and she was
(57:01):
like that, just talk about it. Because I mean, we, we've had
little things like that even in our house where it's like, OK,
we do something that'll irritateyou a little bit, but we've been
very open and it doesn't get to the point where we're like.
We never thought. No, never, no.
We were always so open and commutative and I think that
(57:22):
really made the difference in, you know, how this past year
has. Gone.
Not for my final question. Is there a moment or a memory or
story that you would like to talk or share with us that we
didn't cover yet? Something funny that happened
or? I feel like it's not just one
specific. Moment it's.
Like, just like if it's doing a girl's day and just go about
(57:46):
shopping and get a coffee. Just little.
Things like that and just being able to get some time, spend
some time together. I think one of my favorite
things that we've started doing since Laura's done here is
usually at least once a week, wewill all sit down on the couch
together and Laura reads a book to the kids, like the dogs.
Everybody's up on the couch and Laura will read a nighttime
(58:08):
story to the kids, and the kids absolutely love that.
And so it's time where we reallyjust like online together as a
family. Sometimes we make her read the
book in German, like certain lines in German, just so that we
can hear how it sounds. First of all, she just thought
in English. And yeah, so I mean, it's just
cool. And it's just time that we have
really learned to slow down and just enjoy the moment.
(58:31):
For a check that's so like, she was wonderful.
I can't thank you both enough for talking to me and sharing
your stories and hopefully inspiring the next group of
hopes, families and exchange students.
This has been our episode of Life Exchange Stories of
Understanding. I have been your host, Elsie
(58:51):
Ross. And until next time, listen to
Life Exchange Stories of Understanding now on Spotify,
Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your
favorite podcast.
There's a call coming in. I was like, Oh my gosh.
So I pick it up and it says, Laura, we finally found Echo
Simmi for you. And I was like, my gosh, like it
was, I was so happy my mom wasn't at home in that moment.
Like she came back like 30 minutes after that.
And I was just like, I was so happy.
(00:20):
And then we both cried. Hello and welcome to a very
special episode of Life Exchange, Stories of
Understanding. I am your host, Kelsey Ross, and
(00:40):
we have got guests in the studiotoday and I'm so excited about
it. I'm going to turn it over to
them to introduce. Themselves, I'm Lexie, I am a
host mom right here in Michigan.I'm an LC and I also am a staff
member at by a Few USA. I'm Laura.
I'm 17 years old. I'm an exchange student from
Germany and yeah, I'm living here in Michigan.
(01:03):
Awesome. Thank you both so much for being
here and talking with us today. So to get started, Laura, why
don't we start with you? How did you first come up with
the idea of going on exchange? It started like.
Since I've been a little kid, like I was it when I was like 6
or 7 years old, I always wanted to do that.
(01:24):
I always wanted to live the typical American life at a high
school and just, yeah, enjoy my teenage years and it's always
been a dream. Of mine, Were there people in
your family or your friends thathad studied?
Abroad before or No, it's my uncle lives in the US and that's
(01:45):
always been something like I want to get to know the country
where he lives and yeah. Shit makes sense.
I think it was like a couple years ago, I was just like
watching videos on YouTube of other exchange students and
there was one that went through YFU and that's when I got to
(02:06):
know this organization. And then two years ago I was
starting to apply and we looked.At.
All kinds of different organizations and then we then
here with wife you and it's beena very good experience.
So far, it's great. So what was it about?
Why, if you that made you and your family choose this
(02:28):
organization over others? Everybody.
Was just so welcoming and so nice.
Like there's not a single personthat I met through why if you
that hasn't been nice, that hadn't been so friendly.
And yeah, it it's been just a great journey so far with wife
you and I would like to continuewith like doing stuff with my if
(02:50):
you like as an LC or volunteering or yeah.
And we've heard it a couple of times, Elsie, for our listeners
who may not understand, Lexie, could you provide some insight?
What does that mean? What is that?
Yeah. So I started my Elsie journey
about a year ago. I think it was a year and April
or May. What does Elsie?
(03:10):
Stand for LC stands for Local coordinators so my role as a
local coordinator is to recruit new house families and really
support the international student and the host family
through their exchange year. I LLC currently for three
students, a girl from Germany, agirl from Thailand and then a
boy from Austria. So I mean, I've made long
(03:32):
lasting relationships not only with my own host daughter, but
with these students that I LLC for.
And it's just an incredible experience because you're
helping them through culture shock and homesickness and all
of these things. They really interest in you and
they it makes your bond so much tighter because you help them
through some of like, the shakier times where they're
(03:55):
like, I really want to be here and I really want to do this,
but it's hard right now, Yeah. That's awesome.
And what I understand being a local coordinator is like it is
a volunteer thing, but yeah, there is an element of
compensation to it. But yeah, not it's not like a
full time job is that no. It's it's more so a contract
position. So you're paid for what you do,
(04:16):
contract paid volunteer. It's one of those things where
you do it because you love what you do.
Yeah, totally. And let's go back to you.
Let's see. And how did you first hear about
YFU? So I have lived in the Saginaw
area where the national office is my entire life and I never.
Heard of YFU? Yep.
And then I saw a job posting on Indeed for the local coordinator
(04:40):
position. I was staying home a lot at the
time. I was like, OK, you know, I
didn't really knew a whole lot of what it entailed.
And I applied. I got a call.
Did an interview with the community manager here in
Michigan and her and I, like hitit off right away.
So she's like, I think he'd be so good at this.
Yeah, we, we talked it over and I just dove in, had purse.
(05:02):
There was no going back. There.
And I definitely know what you're talking about with
connecting to Deb right away. She was actually one of the
first interviews I did before coming to YFU.
So shout out to Deb. Yeah.
So All right, so you became a local coordinator, You started
helping out other exchange. What made you finally decide
that you also wanted to hopes toexchange?
(05:24):
Well, because I can't ask other people, but I don't know what
that's like, right. It's sort of one of those things
where Deb and I were having a conversation and we were like,
OK, you know, we are just getting a game plan together of,
you know, recruitment and what students have been placed so far
for the year and what hat which ones had it and she just said.
(05:44):
Let me. But she said large be the
perfect fit for your family. And I was like, all right, let
me look her up. So I looked her up, run her
profile and I was like, all right.
So I texted my husband and I waslike, honey, I think I really
want to do this. And he just thought, OK, go for
it. And I was shocked because I was
not the reaction that I expectedhim to have.
(06:06):
And we decided to host on a Tuesday night, got our
application in. They like fast-paced everything
because it was right at the end of placement season and our
placement was finalized Wednesday evening and Laura
arrived here in Michigan. We picked her up from the
(06:27):
airport the following Thursday night.
It's. Very fast.
Turn around. Oh my gosh, yeah.
I got the call on that Friday. So I had like 5, not 6 days to
like hag everything. It was kind of, it was kind of
rushing and stressful. But yeah, it all worked out.
Yeah, that's fantastic. And.
What was it about Laura that that felt would be such a good
(06:51):
fit for you and your family? Just her personality and like
because we are vetted, you know,volunteers, we get to see photos
and things like that. And there was a lot of pictures
of her with her family. And they had mentioned in her
profile that she babysits for neighborhood kids.
And we have two small kids at home.
So she just that knows me personally versus just, you
(07:13):
know, the Seattle LC relationships.
So she just, she read it and shewas like, I didn't shoot that.
Laura would be perfect for theirfamilies so and she knew what
she was talking about because itworked out perfect.
Awesome and. Laura, take me to that moment
after waiting and waiting, not hearing anything about, you
know, who's hosting you, and then you finally find out on
(07:34):
that Friday you're getting you're going to be hosted and
you have a family. What is that like?
Oh my gosh, it was roller coaster ride of emotion.
It's like it was so hard, like waiting all summer long, like
all my friends were on vacation.I was waiting and waiting for my
whole screen. And then every single day I was
expecting a call. And then it was, it was just
(07:57):
like you say, you will get the call in the moment where you
least expect it. And it was like that.
Like I was laying in bed, like Iwoke up a little bit earlier
that day and I couldn't fall back asleep.
I was like, OK, OK, so I was just laying in bed scrolling on
my phone and like all of a sudden there's a call coming in.
(08:18):
I was like, Oh my gosh. So I pick it up and it says,
Laura, we finally found Echo Simmi for you.
And I was like, my gosh, like itwas, I was so happy my mom
wasn't at home in that moment. Like she came back like 30
minutes after that and I was just like, I was so happy.
And then we both cried and it was just so we were so happy
(08:41):
like that it finally. Turned out your mom and you
cried together. It sounds like your mom and your
family's been very supportive. Of you being an exchange
student. Oh, yes, like since I've been a
kid, I'm, I'm telling them, yeah, I would like to do that.
They were like, yeah, sure, you we should do that.
That would be a very good experience for you.
And then when we got to that moment where we were like, OK,
(09:04):
we should, we should start to put applications in and stop.
They were the ones that said, OK, we should start this now.
And they were supportive since day one.
And I'm so thankful for that. And it's, they're very
supportive. Yeah.
Wonderful. It's great to have such a
supportive and family, not only your biological family, but
(09:24):
here, yes. Your Pokémon too.
Her parents are pretty awesome though.
Yeah. So you can able to talk to them
and get to know the woman? Yeah, we talk to him every week
when she does. It's awesome.
Gosh, Oh my gosh, she's so cool.Are you?
Do you have siblings with your natural parents or is this your
first time having siblings? No, I have a younger brother.
He shift to you. Okay, yeah, so used to having a
younger sibling with me, not as young as Lexi's.
(09:46):
Just exactly. How has that been different for?
How's the change been with that?Little different than what you'd
expected. Yes, our age gap is pretty big.
It's been kind of hard sometimesbecause like, I'm 17, they're
six and three, yes. So it's been kind of hard
sometimes because they wake up earlier than me and like they're
(10:09):
very high energy, so. But they're awesome.
Like at the end of the day, I still love them, you know?
So with the very short turn around, with finding out you
were going to be hosted by Lexi's family to you hopping off
the plane and there you are. Were you able to talk at all
before that happened to connect a little bit?
Yes, but not a lot. Like, yeah, we were texting stay
(10:31):
like 5 days, maybe 6 days, not awhole lot.
Yeah, because I, I had already known that you were coming, but
you hadn't known that you were coming yet.
Yeah. As soon as you messaged us, you
emailed me that morning. I woke up at like 5:30 in the
morning, and I had an e-mail from.
Yeah. And then Joe and I started
texting you that day, and we texted every day until you got
(10:53):
here. Yeah, we talked like 15 minutes.
Oh, like Monday. Yeah, that.
But it was very, it was pretty short.
Yeah, sure, call. But like, and we've been texting
and like, because it's not a lotof time to get to know each
other. Because if you're thinking about
like, you're gonna live with them for like 10 months and then
(11:13):
like, yeah, yeah, it's a lot to take in all in such a quick
amount of time. Yes, Lexi, how did you and your
family prepare to have Lara can live with you very quickly?
Yeah, Laura's room is. It was the playroom, so we
removed. All of the toys how how the.
Kiddos feel about that. Well, they went to their rooms.
(11:36):
We took all the toys out of there.
We painted it for her. I went on, You got her own
color? No, we painted it Gray because
it was nutrient. But we painted it and I went on
a huge Amazon jobbing spree. We got her bed, decorated her
room, all super cute. And yes, Oh my gosh, it was a
(11:57):
door. It was so love.
And yeah, it turned out so cute,but we just got all got her all
the stuff that she needed yet I made her like a little welcome
gift basket with just like some different things that I knew she
would need right away, you know,shampoo, conditioner, like just
different things for her to try once she got here.
And other than that, I mean, we didn't really prepare a whole
(12:19):
lot just because we knew, you know, she was just coming here
to just integrate within our family.
We just really had to get a room.
Ready. Yeah, the biggest thing too.
And how do your kids feel about having?
A big sister now, they both loveLaura to die.
Gunner likes to irritate her. Oh yeah, it's just a.
(12:40):
Further thing to do Hyper is glued to her head all the time.
Everything is my Sissy, my Sissy, my Sissy.
Where's my Sissy going? When she went on spring break to
her uncle's house in California,Hyper threw a.
When she love. You.
Yeah, she was so mad at her. But yeah, the kids absolutely
(13:02):
love her just like we do. Sounds like they were pretty on
board, but that's from the very.Yeah.
They referred to Laura as Sissy before we even picked her up in
there. Yeah.
I think it was just like, we're going to get our sister.
It wasn't even like we're going to get Laura or like it was just
we're going to get Sissy. They didn't.
They don't know her as anything else.
They didn't question it, I feel.You know, not at all.
(13:25):
Before coming here, did you haveany sort of like, ideas of what
the United States would be like?And you know, with having family
here, you have a pretty strong idea what it's like.
Yeah, thought I did. But in the end, I did not like
not as I thought I would have just because like, I feel like
every state is different and every family is different.
(13:47):
So I, I was watching YouTube videos to like get a kind of an
idea and not be like throwing the cold water.
Like I just thought that everybody would be so nice,
which is a fact. I watch a lot of videos about
how high school is going to be because that was like my biggest
year. I had no idea how it's going to
(14:08):
be. I did I didn't know a single
person there. That was like the one one thing
I was most afraid of because like when we were first texting,
I knew that we were going to click right away and we.
Did let's have both of you go back to that moment.
You hop off the plane, you are in the United States, you get
(14:28):
through all the security, get your bags and you meet your
house family. What was that like for you?
I was pretty tired because my flight got delayed like couple
times for like always like 10 minutes, then another 20
minutes, then another 15 minutes.
I don't know, it was pretty late.
It was like almost. Midnight when I arrived.
(14:49):
At the airport and then nobody was there.
Like it was just our flight. We were just walking out.
Nobody was there. And then like I've seen you guys
like through the window and I was like, gosh, there they are.
I can't go back now. Walking.
And they were like, all so cute.Like, the kids were kind of
hesitating at first, but I understand that.
(15:09):
It's like I'm a complete stranger and I'm just walking up
to them. But you guys were just hugging
me. It was, yeah.
It was so cute. Well, I remember asking her
before she came cuz I was like, I'm a hugger.
Like are you gonna be weirded out if you can stay apart?
And I like run up and give you this big hug.
But that's exactly what happened.
It wasn't like we talked about this after like one of your
(15:30):
first weeks here. I thought it was gonna be like
awkward when she wasn't at all. And it wasn't at all.
It was just like you're not onlyhere.
It's like when you're welcoming home, like like when my mom
comes home from California, it wasn't any different.
Like it was just like excitementof her being here.
And finally, the whole week of anticipation.
You both have problems to California one of your.
(15:51):
Yeah. Yeah.
Oh my gosh. So I imagine your your kids must
have been exhausted. Yeah.
They look pretty rough in the picture.
When Laura first got here, Gunner looked so crabby, like he
was shy. Yeah, he was.
He was was very shy. It took him a little bit longer,
like the paper. She was like kind of hesitating.
(16:14):
Like when we were driving home from the airport, she would just
like look at me and then like, look, look down.
The next day. I was, she was like, I was
holding her the first time and then she was like kind of
hesitating after that. But then like it was it didn't
take us very long. No, it didn't take her very
long. No, it used to be in the house.
(16:37):
No, not at. All so you get settled in for
the night. You're going to have to get
ready to go to school and check out American High School.
Was there anything that you had told Laura to prepare for, for
what it would be like? No.
So the day after she got here, we actually went to the school
because I I wanted to break her in.
(16:58):
The counselors walked her aroundthe school and showed her what
all of her classes were going tobe.
We went over her schedule, worked on how to open her
locker. Oh, that shouldn't be a while
that took. You a while the combo lock.
Yeah. Oh yeah.
So we went over to open her locker, different things like
that. The principal actually brought
in a few of the students that was to meet her.
(17:20):
So that was pretty cool. So we she got to see the school
and everything before her first day, just like throwing her in
Yeah. And I I'm pretty sure I did walk
you and do your. First days.
Oh, yeah, you did it. Yeah.
I was so scared, like, yeah, I was because the school year had
had already begun. So it was like the the week of
(17:40):
school that I went in. Yeah.
So I was like scared how everybody's going to react
because the school is not very big.
So they recognize a new face. And they did.
And everybody was, they weren't hesitating.
Like they were just asking me questions, who I am, where I'm
from. They already do that.
(18:02):
An exchange student from Germanyis going to come.
So. Yeah.
What grade did you end up in here in the United States?
I'm a junior. You're a junior.
OK. So you'd watch videos to kind of
prepare you for what life in American high school would be
like. How would that compare to what
it actually was like for you? Was it pretty spot on?
In some ways, like everybody always says how nice American
(18:27):
people are like that. They're so like asking about
your culture and asking questions.
And they did. That was right.
But like, of course, like when Iwas wouldn't watch like a video
a day at my high school, of course it wasn't the same
because they different classes. Yeah their high school is
different but I feel like watching videos really helped me
(18:49):
not to be like super surprised. But I hear a lot that we're very
loud. Is that true in your experience
that Americans are quite loud? Yeah, Yeah, I would say so,
Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.
And so she how did you try to help her through those first day
(19:09):
fears? So we we bonded like really?
Oh yes. Like we were just best friends
from the get go. Joe and I tried to be very
encouraging. You're going to do great.
You've got this, You know, just making her know that
everything's not going to be perfect.
You're going to be scared, you're going to be nervous, but
that's OK. You don't have to walk in and be
(19:31):
super confident and you know, it's OK to be nervous.
You got to feel all the emotionswhen you go through this kind of
thing. So it wasn't, it was it was just
getting over that hurdle of the first couple of days.
After the first couple of days when she kind of settled in was
when the homesickness kind of started to settle in a little
bit. But I feel like Joe and I tried
to just like give you just enough face, like, yes, we
(19:56):
didn't want you hibernating in your like, if she was in there
for too long, I would just knockon the door and I would go in
and she'd be kind of fine a little bit late.
And then she would kind of like breakdown.
And I'm like, no, no, no, come here.
Let me just give you a hug, you know?
But Joe and I just tried to giveher just enough space where she
didn't feel like we were crowding her, but she knew that
we were there. And then if she needed anything,
(20:19):
we were going to either a drop of the hat.
I've been on the topic of homesickness so that you and
your husband Joe gave her space,but we're still present telling
her that you were there for her.Do you have any other tips for
host parents who have an exchange student in their home
that's struggling with their homesick?
That's I think the biggest thingthat has helped with like,
(20:39):
especially Laura's homesickness,not contacting your natural
appearance every day. Yeah, it's really, really hard
thing to do, but once like you talk to your family once a week,
you usually talk to your family with you, but the more
(21:00):
consistent contact that they have with their natural periods,
some types hurts them more than it helps them those first couple
of weeks. That's totally normal because
wow, that's terrifying sometimesto just be in a new place with a
whole new family and but as it kind of progresses a little bit,
it's almost seems to be better for the students when they limit
(21:22):
that contact where. OK, I have a whole.
Week's worth of stuff for to tell you about you have a good
hour hour and a half long conversation but you're still
present and there with your hostfamily because it's important to
maintain both of yeah it's it's.Fun to be like on the exchange,
not right. That's what I feel like.
And that helped me too. Like I wasn't, I didn't text
(21:45):
them every single day. Like the first days,
everything's just silly. I was like taking a picture of
my schedule and send that to them.
And they were like react with the with thumbs up.
And that was like all the interaction we had.
And then like, yeah, I usually don't text them like every
single day. It's just sometimes when I have
a question or something, I just ask my mom or my dad.
(22:08):
That's maybe once a week. It's not a lot.
Yeah, yeah. And your experience, do you have
any advice for exchange studentswho may be struggling with their
homesickness and how to handle that and overcoming?
Yeah. Just like almost to say that you
to set, it's just like try to focus on your exchange year and
(22:31):
not I know it's hard. I know it's hard in the 1st
place, but try to talk to peopleto if you're homesick like
because of your family injured in your home country, maybe talk
to your friends in your home country like if that makes
sense, like or talk to your hostparents, your host siblings had
(22:51):
for I don't know if you have funfriends already, try to talk to
them. Teachers, I don't know, but try
to focus on being in the presentmoment and not always trying to
look back. Yeah, yeah.
Do you have any advice for exchange students on making
friends when they get to their new school?
(23:12):
Just try and be open. Yeah, I think that's the best
way to try and do sports, do sports, be open and like it's
going to everything's going to develop the way it should be.
And it also took me a while to find my real friends my
frequently that I have now and just try to be open and do
(23:32):
sports. Sports helped me a lot and I
think it's a very important thing to do.
Also like to experience the spirit of high school sports,
which is incredible. I think that's an overall advice
that I could give to everybody. What sports did you end up
playing? I played volleyball in the fall,
but I came in late like 2 weeks like in the season all yeah
(23:55):
whatever. And then in the winter I played
basketball and spring up played soccer.
Had you ever played these sportsbefore coming to the United
States? No, like not seriously in
Germany, but like in school sports, like when I was hanging
out with friends who are playingvolleyball a little bit, but not
(24:15):
like I'm not good. It was just more for fun.
Make it. So since we're on the topic of
trying new things, were there any other new things that you
got to try here for the first time in the United States?
Food wise or like? Yeah, let's start with food.
What sort of foods were you ableto try?
All kinds of fast foods. Like, yeah.
(24:36):
Like. What's been your favorite?
I don't know. Oh, Chick-fil-A.
Let's say Chick-fil-A. OK, yes, I.
Like Chick-fil-A? Gotcha.
She tried to eat fried Pickles for the first time.
Oh yeah, yeah. But that's not like a.
No gold eggs? She tried double.
Oh yeah, I did. I really liked.
It we tried some German dishes. But.
Yeah, I bet you really like. Yeah, she made.
(25:00):
It's kind of like her childhood.I wouldn't consider it as
typical German, but it's just like what I grew up with and
what I love in my childhood thatI tried to make.
Yeah, and it's basically you boil potatoes and you slice
them. You're making a whole recipe
here. Yeah, and write this.
Down. Right.
You do potatoes and then eggs, hard boiled eggs.
(25:23):
OK, OK, slice them and then hot dogs.
And we went to go look. She's like, I need sausages.
And so I'm bringing her to like sausage like what we would
consider a sausage like. Frozen ones or like.
No, like the, like the fresh or the counter, like, Yep.
OK, sausage. And she's like, this is that
right? And I'm like, what are you
(25:44):
talking about? So we're looking around the
store and she goes and she picksup this thing of Col.
Vienna's. And I was like hot dogs.
And she goes, these are sausages.
I was like, girl, those are hot.So that's one thing that we've
always got. Yeah.
But you just kind of layer it like that.
And then she makes this and I, I'm not gonna lie, I was really
(26:06):
scared to try it. I thought it was going to be
really gross. But it's actually very good.
Yeah. And now it's become like one of
the staples in our house. Yeah.
Does it have a name? It's just like potato caster
movie. And we make Schweitzler too from
Germany. Mono Schweitzler.
It's like. So good.
Yeah, a lot. Of work so good, really good for
(26:29):
sure. With the hot dog versus sausage
debate, that reminded me of another question.
Are there any other kind of funny moments of like, not
mistranslation, but maybe misunderstanding bread toast?
Yeah, Yeah. I always tease them.
Like, I feel like Americans don't know real friends.
The last a few interviews we've had so far from American
(26:51):
students going to Germany and they're they brave about the
bread. What is up with the bread?
You. Guys have toast here.
Like what you consider bread is toast.
Like you put it in the toaster and you toast it that you eat
it. OK.
But our bread in Germany is like, like what you would
consider sourdough bread. But it's not only sourdough.
(27:12):
We have like different kinds. But like that's how it looks
like. It kind of tastes like.
Gotcha. Yeah.
It's. Gotta have a crust.
Yeah, the crust, the. Crust in it.
OK. I mean, you're right.
It's much better. It is.
It's so much better, yeah. Were you able to share any of
your family's traditions or maybe some traditional foods
that you all eat together with Laura?
(27:33):
Yeah, so I think my favorite thing or her favorite thing that
we have made, one of the first nights she was here, we made
steak and then I make these potatoes.
Yeah, it's not typical, no American, but it's like like
what? You just made what I love.
You know, Yeah. Yeah.
Because I knew that you liked that stuff.
(27:53):
Well, she did try venison. My husband Joe made venison and
she loved it when I tried. To.
Yeah, but you and Pon both really liked it.
So we we totally hosted a girlfriend Thailand as well that
I'm all seeing for. And Joe made them venison one
night and they absolutely loved it.
(28:13):
And so I remember Pon saying that she had texted her mom and
said, look, I'm eating deer. And I was like, like, baby, I
remember we all just laughed about it.
They're like, well, we don't really think about it that way.
Yeah. So you've gotten destroyed
venison and the deep fried Pickles?
Ranch Ranch is the absolute best.
(28:35):
It's an elite tier condiment. Y'all just need to get with it.
Yeah. Why is ranch not a thing in your
in like Germany or other European countries?
Any ideas? I don't know any I will.
Trace some back when I get. Back I have talked to like other
alumni, former state shooters and they will have their host
families mail them bottles of ranch.
(28:56):
I think that's what we're gonna do.
Like we're gonna. Trade.
Yeah, Exchange stuff, yeah. I'll send you ranch for those.
Candies. Oh yeah.
My parents sent a package for Christmas and I asked them if
they could put some a little German candy in there because I
wanted them to try it and they loved it.
Like like chocolate, kind of stuff like kidney, like gummy
(29:19):
bears, like kind of stop and they get off of it.
Yeah, it's basically like a hazelnut with like caramel and
then it's encased in chocolate and it's.
Something really good. I might still have some.
You're hiding from. Holding out on you.
Dang, Holding out on you for food.
What? Girl, what's going on since,
(29:39):
like you briefly mentioned Christmas, where you share quite
a few holidays in the United States and Germany, Yeah.
What were some of the things that you noticed that were a
little different about these shared holidays in the United
States versus how you celebrate them in Germany?
Probably the most, the biggest thing, it's like in Germany, we
get our present on Christmas Eve, like in the night, and you
(30:01):
guys get them on Christmas Day in the morning.
Like you wake up to the presents.
I actually don't know which way I like better Yeah, I I enjoyed
it like having a little bit differently fun time.
But yeah, I would say the. Biggest difference?
And was there any holiday traditions that Laura was able
(30:22):
to share with you during her time here with you?
So we we went to my grandma's. So it, it's been a long time
tradition in our family that we make Hard Rock candy.
So we made Hard Rock candy this year.
We kind of started something newand Joe and Laura and we all
went out to the garage and they built little wooden Christmas
(30:43):
trees. So Joe taught her how to work
the drill and. I do that BC.
Yeah, but but they, they all built something together.
So I've got like something that she built that I can keep out on
the porch for Christmas. And we just, we do, we have a
very big family, so we do a lot of different things for
(31:05):
Christmas. I think our Christmas
festivities went all the way. Oh, New Year's, Yeah.
New Year's Day was. Yeah, it was New Year's Day.
We got a puppy, yeah. Yeah.
Oh my gosh, do you have? Pets in your home in Germany?
I don't really. So yeah, that's happened for
you. Crazy, crazy.
(31:26):
But you love her like our pets, so we have a lot of them.
Yeah, that's. Not to say I remember you have a
lot of animals at your home, so that's been a pretty big change
for you. What have been your favorite to
spend time with? I love just like hanging around
with the dogs outside, like so excited and they just run
(31:46):
around. And then sometimes I would just
like to snuggle the cat, you know, like, whatever I'm in the
mood for. Fair enough not not to bring
mood down, but out of curiosity,I mean, it's not always sunshine
and rainbows when you're on exchange or when you're hosting.
So were there any challenges that you and your family has had
(32:08):
to overcome together? How did you go about doing that?
I feel like. For me, the biggest thing was
coming here and then adjust and then like trying to figure
everything out for myself because it's no secret you
change a lot during an exchange year and trying to get
(32:30):
everything together, mature a lot and you're in a whole
different environment and like adjust to the family here and
then like and hold contact with your life in Germany.
And like all that kind of stuff comes together and it's not
easy. It's there's always a thing
(32:51):
that's like hard, but you grow so much and that's been the
biggest thing. And I'm proud of how we all did
it because it's just, it's so great.
I'm so grateful for like how we all did it, you know?
And like, it's hard, but it willturn out very well in the end.
(33:13):
How about from your perspective?Well, I think communication was
just like one of our biggest issues because when Laura first
got here, we knew that she was struggling with, you know, being
here and being somewhere new. We didn't want to like lay the
(33:33):
shimmer down as soon as she got here, So you know what I mean?
There's just certain little things when you live with
another person that you are not that you haven't lived with your
whole life, you know what I mean?
Like even people that you have lived with your whole life, why
would they do things? Just.
Like that, it's just life, it's just human nature.
(33:53):
And so I think we both had to kind of adjust to the way that
we live our life and the way that she was used to living her
life back at home and making sure that we were communicating
that. That was one of the biggest
things that I can stress as far as like the host family, host
son or daughter relationship is making sure that communication
(34:16):
is top notch. The biggest advice.
But yeah, we've been currently keep big good in the beginning
and then like. We're very commutative now,
like. Yeah, we talk about everything.
Yeah. Yeah.
And Speaking of communicating, when Laura arrived and just
(34:37):
throughout the beginning of her time with you and your family,
was there ever any conversationsthat you as a family had
together with Laura to talk about like boundaries or like
house rules? Yeah, so we didn't really say
anything to her the night that she got here.
But like the next morning we didhave a conversation about like
(34:58):
Life 360. We have that on our phone and
basically just told her we're not gonna make you have a curfew
and we know where you are, we know who you're with, we know
you're being safe, but we kind of had to build that trust with
her as far as you know. Had that from the beginning.
We did, I did. And you ever broke the trust
where I was like, girl, maybe not, but as long as I knew what
(35:23):
she was doing and who she was with.
And I think she uses like 360 tostalk me more than I use it.
Sometimes I just want to know when you're back home.
We planned the whole basketball team, the coaches, Joe and I,
and the player. We all planned the surprise
birthday party for her for her 17th birthday.
And I told Joe I was like, Oh mygosh, we're going to have to
(35:43):
like figure out we're both goingto shut our location off and she
is going to be on us because it's going to send her a
notification saying that we turned.
It didn't. No, I just have that because I
was looking where you guys are. Yeah, I knew that something was
going on. Like you guys could just like
something was going on and that was like, OK, so it's the day
(36:06):
before my birthday and you guys are all actually kind of
suspicious suspiciously. And then I was like, OK, where
that because she told me that they're going to her.
Grandma's, yeah. So it was like looking OK, like
I don't know, I just had a feeling and then I was looking
at and I saw that you guys location was off.
(36:30):
That is weird. And it ended up being so good,
though. Like she walked in and everybody
from the team was there. Coach came to our house and
picked her up and the whole teamand everybody was there.
I got a video from her parents to play during her birthday.
Oh my gosh, that's so cute. I think everybody cried.
Nobody had any idea what they were saying.
We all just knew that it was sweet.
(36:52):
But yeah, it was, it was a lot of fun.
Everybody. Everybody just enjoyed being
able to celebrate you and it wasfun.
It was. So would you say you were?
Surprised. Yes, OK.
Like it was at my friend's houseand I walked in.
My coach told me to get some boxes and I was just walking in.
Somebody like was pulling the door as I was opening it, I was
(37:13):
like whoa. And then I I walk in and I turn
and like everybody's standing there.
And in that moment, I was kind of surprised.
I wasn't expecting it to be there.
I was expecting it to be somewhere else, like later on.
But yeah, it was so sweet. Has Laura been able to teach you
any Germans since in your time here?
(37:35):
I'm not that I can pronounce. Sir.
We she's taught the kids a lot. I didn't.
It's more than us, really. I mean, I'll ask her to like,
say things just so that I can hear it.
And sometimes when she's talkingto her parents, like there's
certain words that I keep hearing.
That sounds similar. Yeah, there's a lot of German
(37:57):
words that sound similar to English words, so sometimes I'll
get the gist of what she's trying to say, but not.
Gotcha going back to the life 360 ish.
Is that a thing for German parents really?
Okay, so how did you feel about having to have that on your
phone? Was that?
I didn't have a problem. Like it was just we were talking
(38:18):
about it and I know they were using it.
I was like, because you guys said to me like you won't if we
know where you are, we're fine with it and you won't have like
Torpy or anything. It was like if I know like, and
it's also helping me like sometimes figuring out like like
when you guys are picking me up.So I see where you guys are at.
And yeah, I don't, it's not a thing in Germany, but it's a
(38:42):
thing here. So that's another.
I was saying that I was like, OK, it's a thing here, so I'm
just going to live with it. And it's part of the culture,
kind of. So yeah.
I mean, it wasn't a control thing.
It was more so just like, not atall.
If something happened. Yeah.
And you can't tell me where you are, I need to be able to know
where you are, right. Kind of thing.
(39:03):
Because at the end of the day, we're still your guardians and
we're still responsible for you while you're here.
And so that was important for usto.
It was really only like the onlyrole that we had.
I mean, we, we know that you're doing what you're supposed to
be. She has a great group of
friends. Like I don't worry about her
when she's with her friends. So as long as I know when she's
(39:24):
coming home and what she's doinglike.
You having younger children and now hosting the teenagers, but
kind of like a crash course for parenting a teen in a way, would
you say? Yeah.
I mean, it's definitely different, yeah.
Because you don't have to raise me.
Oh, yeah, it's, it's just different, I think, especially
(39:47):
because like, I'm eleven years older than she is, so it's kind
of like, right. I don't, I mean, yes, I'm her
host mom, but we're really just friends.
It's not. Like, yeah, it's not like a
mother of tire. Gotcha.
If you ever thought about bringing the world into your
(40:07):
home with YFUUSA, hey, that's us.
You can. By hosting an exchange student,
you'll experience a new culture right in your own home.
It's an incredible opportunity to make lifelong connections and
help a young student discover the American way of life.
Visit yfuusa.org to learn more about how you can become a host
daily today. Did your parents have any sort
(40:31):
of hesitancy about sending you to live with a host family where
the mom's only 11 years old? No, not at all.
OK, My mom was like when I was showing her the picture and
she's like, Oh my gosh, they look so young and I was texting
them. I was like, how old are you
guys? You told me my mom was like,
that can be a good thing becausethen you guys could understand
(40:52):
each other a little bit better. She she suffered the first
second. She's like, that's actually a
good thing. Like, it's probably not going to
be like a mother and like a. Mom and dad for you, but like
friends kind of Yeah. And that like, it's a good thing
that's what you're saying. I'll admit I haven't posted an
exchange student myself. And that was always one of my
(41:14):
biggest worries. Well, they're going to look at
me like I'm a big sister. They're not really going to.
I'm not going to be mom or dad. I'm not going to be mom to them.
I I was all. I was kind of curious how that
was for both of your perspectives.
That's an interesting way of putting it.
So you would also mention that you were able to spend spring
break with your uncle in California.
Are there any other parts of theUnited States that you got to
(41:36):
experience for the first time? We were looking at like a route
where we live here. We were just going somewhere for
the days and like I will definitely come back.
I will. You might travel somewhere with
you guys then and just step by step.
Gotcha. Yeah.
Where around the state have you shown or?
(41:58):
Went to Frank and Lil was first.How authentic is Frank in the
actual Germany? It's OK, we already know
Funtorsky stuff. It's.
Pretty thirsty. Gotcha.
We were eating in like a Bavarian restaurant.
(42:18):
Seen the waiters and I was like,their clothing looks kind of
cheap. It was like, yeah, like it's
maybe nice for people who don't have a clue about Germany.
Like, take a peek. Yeah, but.
We just pronounced the food wrong number.
Oh yes, yes, I forgot about that.
(42:41):
Yeah, she tried to pronounce thefood then we were going to
order, but she didn't have a clue what she was talking.
About SO. Yeah, didn't she call it spats
holders? I don't know, but it was.
I don't. Know.
What that means? You know did.
It feel almost like stereotypical jerk.
Yeah. OK, that's playing into
(43:02):
stereotypes a little bit, All right, Yeah.
Were there did people ask you questions during your time here
at a Change about like, different German stereotypes?
I won't say necessarily stereotypes.
They were just very interested in how school is like, how I
(43:22):
live, about my family, my friends, kind of like what I do
in that Germany general a lot like it was a lot more about me.
I really appreciate. That with differences in the
schools between the United States and Germany.
Well, now we hear a lot about it's obviously, you know, sports
are in the schools here in the United States and dances are
(43:45):
things that we do in the United States, and those things don't
necessarily happen in German schools all the time.
Were there any other big differences that you notice,
like where maybe classes were a little different or how people
teach or how even like your classmates will talk to you?
Yeah, like the the relationship between teachers and students
(44:06):
here is I really like it becauseit's not like non formal.
Yes, it's it's way more formal in Germany than like it is here.
Here they ask you like students ask the teachers all the time.
What did you do on the weekend? How are you kids?
What's your dog's name? Whatever, all that kind of
stuff. Nobody in German to do that I
(44:29):
feel like. So yeah, I really like it
because it makes it more fun andlike the vibe of Sway.
Not so strict on like you. We have to learn.
We went off on a tangent. We were talking about different
areas of Michigan that you got to share with Laura.
We talked about freaking mood. Were there any other places?
Who She went to the MSU basketball game.
(44:54):
Yeah, that was amazing. I went to two.
Yeah. Sit here.
I take it y'all are Michigan State fans?
Yeah. OK.
How does it feel to be wrong girl?
She tried. She asked me before they went,
she said, you know what's like Michigan, Michigan State.
And I was like, girl, you are a Michigan State fan and I will
(45:14):
not have it any other way. And Joe was like, no, Laura.
And I said, Laura, if you bring a piece of Michigan memorabilia
and into I know we're gonna haveissues.
So she got home. Are there like big rivalries
like that between like colleges or like sports teams in Germany
like 2? Maybe sports teams like I say.
(45:36):
It is a lovely shade of blue andgold.
So Michigan State basketball game Are there any other like
family tricks for weekend getaways that you were able to
share with Laura? I went with friends.
To the Mackinop. OK.
That was amazing. Yeah.
It was so cool to see, like up North Michigan.
And we went, we drove over the bridge and like on the other
(46:00):
side, it was like, Oh my gosh, we're the other part of Michigan
right now. Yeah, we drove back.
And that was very interesting. Yeah.
Were you able to see Mackinaw Island?
No. OK.
We didn't go there. Add it to the bucket list.
It's a great place to go. OK.
I will in the summertime when it's.
Absolutely. Especially when the lilacs are
(46:20):
blooming. That's beautiful.
It's in right around this time, actually.
But yeah, it's funny that, like,my great grandfather helped
build the Mackinac Bridge. That's amazing.
Yeah. Some little connection there.
Have people done the hand map for you to show?
Like, oh, wait. Oh, yeah, you're in AP or I was
here. I live here.
I love it. Yeah.
(46:40):
So easy, just like just to know where it is, to know where you
are, like to show people also back in Germany, I'm going to be
like, OK, so I live like right here.
I love it. It's such a cool.
Thing it's so easy. It's so and everybody will
understand. Did you notice any differences
like when you were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, did you
notice the differences between like us down here versus some of
(47:03):
the what we call Ukers? I've heard differences in Holly
talk. Did you notice the differences?
Really. We were just like driving around
eating, so it wasn't like a fakething.
But I don't understand. Recognize something unnecessary.
Yeah. That's fair.
All right. So we're talking about like
Commission contradictions and things like that.
(47:25):
I know you have been able to kind of watch Laura experience
some of these first time things through like a mom's eyes.
So was there one a first time moment with Laura that really
like stood out to you as something that was really
impactful? I think getting her ready for
prom was, like, really cool. I mean, just getting her ready,
(47:47):
tearing a little bit. Yeah.
And just like, we did a day of dress shopping.
So with Joe and I so much. Yeah.
And we took her to Texas Roadhouse after because we
ranted and raved off rolls to butter.
So we went to Texas Roadhouse and we had dinner and dress
shopping. Yeah.
(48:08):
We had a blast. Even Joe was picking out dress
and she had, she ended up liking, I think the one that
Joey picked out most out of all of them.
And we were like, yeah. He's got good taste.
I know, I know. How was?
What did you think about problems?
It was so cool. It was amazing.
It was like, what's the MichiganState basketball game?
My top two? Yeah, it was an awesome day.
(48:30):
Like I went brunch with my friends and we made our bookcase
and we took pictures and then I got ready.
Her sister came over and did my hair and then it was amazing.
And we went to kind of like a park and took pictures there,
and it was so cool. And like, going to the dance
(48:53):
he's eating there and then dance.
It was so much fun. It was so much fun.
Hit a blast. So cool.
Yeah. The bouquets.
OK Was that a thing when you were?
No, I was the corsage. Yes.
Right. So I wouldn't.
What did that do? I have no idea.
When she said they were making bouquets, I was like.
So don't you like, hold the bouquet all night?
(49:14):
Yeah, no. So like pictures?
Got it. OK.
Like for a picture. OK, OK.
Yeah, I remember like hearing like some of these extrations
talking about having a piece of the what are you talking about?
It was always the core size and.The yes.
The bus still have. Okay, that's still a thing for
yeah. Okay, interesting.
(49:34):
Great. So your time here is starting to
wind down, your time together starting to wind down.
Well, I kind of have an idea howwe're feeling about it, but how
are we feeling about that? Really, that really, really
that. Don't know how to feel.
It's such a it's so hard talkingabout it.
(49:54):
My heart, it's like super heavy right now.
I'm so sad like this, I said. I said in the beginning it's
always been a dream. And now knowing that my dream is
over and like looking back, I wonder could I could have done
some things differently? Should have done some things
differently? Like I don't know.
(50:17):
Realizing it's coming to an end and it really makes me sad and I
know it's almost over and I'm it's never going to be the same
but like on the other side I am happy to see my family and
friends again and all that but it's so hard thinking about it.
So we want to get into it. It's just like, I don't know,
it's just like sending a piece of my heart somewhere else.
(50:39):
Like I know I'm gonna see her again.
And we're going to talk all the time, but it's like, it's like
sending one of your kids that way.
Like even though I know she's going back home to her loving
family that has literally raisedher whole life other than this
year, but it's like it's like just watching, like sending your
kid away and then it hurts. And I think my whole family is
(51:02):
going to be so discombobulated. But let me get through it.
Sounds like we have plans to keep connected and Oh yeah and
see each other again. Great.
So would you consider hosting another exchange student in the?
Future Oh yeah, we definitely will.
We definitely will. We were hooked.
Our kids love it and I just I love the aspect of being able to
(51:25):
have all of these meaningful relationships with people from
all around the world. Our kids, you know, have a
sister that now lives, you know,will will live back in Germany.
It's, you know, all of the exchange students that I have
LCD for like our kids grew really close to pond and so
they'll have a sister that livesat Thailand and you know it just
(51:48):
it's so it's so meaningful. I tell her all the time, like
sometimes I even forget that you're from Germany like that
you haven't just been here forever because it doesn't it
doesn't feel like that like she's just scared.
She's just her daughter and thenthis is it.
No going back, right? Stuck with us forever.
What does the future hold for you when you go back to Germany?
(52:11):
What are your plans? School.
Yeah. So do you.
Have more high school to better shop then yeah, four years.
Gotcha. I will.
Graduate in Germany and I'm planning on the university in
Germany. Don't quite know what for you
what? Do you find to decide?
And I will come back. I don't know if I'm gonna live
here or in Germany or wherever. We will see.
(52:35):
I don't know yet, but I'm kind of undecided.
But I feel like I'm gonna. I'm getting there.
OK, there's a big live world ahead of you.
There's bright future. Nothing you have to decide.
There's nothing you have to decide today.
Yeah, probably better if you don't take your time.
Feel like the old lady Lexi. What's the future hold for you
(52:58):
and your family? Sounds like potentially choosing
another exchange student. Yeah, so I think we're going to
take a break from hosting this next year and grieve messing,
Laura, but we'll definitely backbe back at it.
And I'll still be out seeing something I'm very passionate
about. I enjoy what I do.
So get bigger and older and you just keep tricking along and
(53:21):
we'll definitely keep in touch and.
Would you ever let your kids study?
Abroad, I tell them that all thetime, but they as soon as
they're old enough, they're going to live at Sissy's.
House the year. Awesome.
Because I think, I just think it's so great.
And I mean starting with. Excuse for visit Perfect.
(53:43):
So for somebody who may be considering studying abroad or
going on exchange, what do you have to say to them and what
advice do you have for them? Do it, be open, like just be
curious. Yeah, yeah, yeah it.
Makes sense? Yeah, curious.
Try it out. It's a very great thing to do.
(54:05):
It's the best experience I've ever had.
Everybody should be able to experience that, and it will
help them with all kinds of situations.
It's not only experiencing the American life, it's about
growing too, and becoming an adult.
How would you say your perspective on Germany and the
(54:25):
United States has changed since your time?
That it's a lot about the peoplethat you are with and you should
choose your people and don't waste your time just because you
have limited time. I know it sounds so weird but
that's what I've learned here. I only had ten months and I kind
of regret, I kind of regret thatI have done some things earlier.
(54:50):
And if you're unhappy, change something, go somewhere else and
find yourself. OK, good for you.
Why should somebody host an exchange student?
It seems even for me being an LCfor why have you, before
hosting, it was still very kind of scary.
(55:12):
You don't know. You don't know what you don't
know. So until you jump in and just do
it, it kind of seems bizarre almost in a way, because
everybody seems to know somebodywho's hosted, but their their
response is always, oh, but I could never.
Yeah, coming from personal experience, I wouldn't have
(55:35):
changed it for the world. Like it brought our family
closer. And we have just created such a
lifelong meaningful relationshipwith Laura and say, I wouldn't
change it for the world. I mean, it's, it's probably one
of my best adults. Like because you don't, it's
(55:55):
very scary when you think about it.
I mean, at the same time, a lot of people don't understand you
don't just have some random stranger living with you.
Like you pick your student and you get to talk to your student
and at the end of the day, they are a student.
It's not just some random, you know, adult from somewhere that
you don't know, that you've never spoken to coming to live
in your home. Like this is a student that
(56:17):
wants to be here and they work really hard to be here.
I mean, it's not just to sign your name on the dotted line and
here you go. Like they have to work at being
here and filling out applications and doing all of
the things to be here and it's. Just I wouldn't go back.
It's for first time post parents.
Do you have any advice for them?Yeah.
(56:39):
I would just say make sure that you are doing what you would
normally do on a daily basis. That's what they're coming here
to do is to experience us and what we do on a daily basis and
make sure that if something bothers you, if they leave the
bathroom floor when they get outof the shower, because in some
countries you can do that. It doesn't ruin your stuff.
But here it does. If, if they're small and she was
(57:01):
like that, just talk about it. Because I mean, we, we've had
little things like that even in our house where it's like, OK,
we do something that'll irritateyou a little bit, but we've been
very open and it doesn't get to the point where we're like.
We never thought. No, never, no.
We were always so open and commutative and I think that
(57:22):
really made the difference in, you know, how this past year
has. Gone.
Not for my final question. Is there a moment or a memory or
story that you would like to talk or share with us that we
didn't cover yet? Something funny that happened
or? I feel like it's not just one
specific. Moment it's.
Like, just like if it's doing a girl's day and just go about
(57:46):
shopping and get a coffee. Just little.
Things like that and just being able to get some time, spend
some time together. I think one of my favorite
things that we've started doing since Laura's done here is
usually at least once a week, wewill all sit down on the couch
together and Laura reads a book to the kids, like the dogs.
Everybody's up on the couch and Laura will read a nighttime
(58:08):
story to the kids, and the kids absolutely love that.
And so it's time where we reallyjust like online together as a
family. Sometimes we make her read the
book in German, like certain lines in German, just so that we
can hear how it sounds. First of all, she just thought
in English. And yeah, so I mean, it's just
cool. And it's just time that we have
really learned to slow down and just enjoy the moment.
(58:31):
For a check that's so like, she was wonderful.
I can't thank you both enough for talking to me and sharing
your stories and hopefully inspiring the next group of
hopes, families and exchange students.
This has been our episode of Life Exchange Stories of
Understanding. I have been your host, Elsie
(58:51):
Ross. And until next time, listen to
Life Exchange Stories of Understanding now on Spotify,
Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen to your
favorite podcast.
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