Being a host mom is one of the best things!

High School exchange is not only a huge adventure for our students. Our host families, who make the exchanges possible, also deeply experience the power of the exchange. Ivy returned to New Zealand last week after spending her exchange in Sweden. This is part of her host mom, Jeanette’s, goodbye letter.

"This is it. Today, you'll return home.

And I’m crying my eyes out.

It will get terribly empty without you around, and I will miss you so, so, so much.

But I’m also crying because I’m so proud. Proud of us all as individuals. Proud of you for being enormously courageous, leaving your safe and going far, far away to try something different. Proud of you for trusting me. Proud of you for challenging yourself every single day for 3 months. Proud of your parents for letting you go and trusting me to take care of you.

Proud of myself for daring to challenge the balance of my family's everyday life. Proud of my family for not protesting, but saying YES the moment I brought this adventure upon them, and then enjoying every step of the journey.

Proud of Principal Stefan and all the teachers at your Swedish school for welcoming you and being curious and open-minded. Proud of your classmates for opening their hearts, welcoming you into their already formed groups, and inviting you to hang out with them from the very first day of school!

I’m also crying because I’m so grateful. Grateful for you accepting and even liking us as individuals and as a family. Grateful for you letting us get to know you, allowing us to come close, and sharing your life with us. Grateful for your honesty and transparency. Grateful for your trust. Grateful for you teaching me about life in general. Grateful for all the amazing moments – hanging out on the sofa watching series, taking those ice-cold November swims, discussing politics, society, differences, similarities, and so much more. Grateful for you respecting my fears of anything happening to you and thus accepting the necessary rules. Grateful for almost making me a vegan. Grateful for all the hearty laughs. Grateful for enriching my life in such a significant way.

This has been an emotional rollercoaster ride. A ride I would never have wanted to miss. A ride that I am so happy to have been on, and hopefully, continue to be on.

Never stop keeping in contact!

I will continue to love you for the rest of my days.

Your Mama J ♥️"