How it all began...
It all began in the summer of 1993 with a trumpet and an umbrella. I was the drum major of the Homer High School Marching Band and we were in the middle of band camp (or as we liked to call it "hell week"). I was introduced to an exchange student who was visiting from Sweden who played the trumpet and did not yet have a place to live. I was spending 9-10 hours a day at camp and then when I went home for dinner I would tell my parents all about this poor exchange student who came all the way over here from Sweden and had no home to live in. My parents felt bad, but they were not budging on letting him live with us because we were in the process of moving and our current house was just too small and we wouldn't be moving for at least a month or so. At the end of band camp there was a show, so our parents could see what we have worked so hard at all week. My mom got there just before the show was about to start, I thought this would be the perfect time to introduce Adam, the Swedish exchange student, to my mom. Just then the clouds came and it started sprinkling, we marching band kids are like mailmen...come rain or shine we are going to march...and so we did. My mom did not come with an umbrella, but Adam did...and he quickly asked her if she wanted to share the umbrella with him...That night we had a family meeting. My mom was convinced that Adam needed to live with us, so we did some room rearranging, and explained to him that we were in the process of moving so if he didn't mind that, he was welcome to live with us for the year. He agreed and that began our first experience as hosting an exchange student.
Adam was our first exchange student, but he was definitely not our last, we hosted two more students from Sweden, two students from Germany, two students from Holland, a student from Columbia, a student from Brazil, and a student from Mexico. Not all of the experiences were good, but overall they all contributed to the experiences that made me who I am today.
-Kristin
Adam was our first exchange student, but he was definitely not our last, we hosted two more students from Sweden, two students from Germany, two students from Holland, a student from Columbia, a student from Brazil, and a student from Mexico. Not all of the experiences were good, but overall they all contributed to the experiences that made me who I am today.
-Kristin
Diana- Host Mom Extraordinaire
I will always remember the first day I met my first exchange son. It was the summer of 1993. It was pouring rain. The marching band was holding band camp that week. My daughter Kristin was the drum major and it was parents day to come and watch the progress.
My daughter, Kristin, comes up to me with a young man and introduces him to me as Adam, a Swedish exchange student. Then she told me he had no permanent home yet. He was a very polite young man and even offered to share an umbrella with me. Well, my heart ached for this young man. Here he was with no home and far away from his home and family. Kristin had asked if we could host him and of course this was all it took, my heart melted and said yes.
That was the beginning of an adventure that would change not only his life but my life and the life of my family and extended family. We ended up hosting 12 exchange students over the years. I cannot put into words what a wonderful experience it has been. We now have friends and family all over the world. They have come back to visit and so have their families. Two of the boys are now dad’s and so I am the babies’ American Grandma! How exciting is that!
I have a very special Christmas tree I put up each year. It is decorated with pictures of our International families! It is one of my favorite trees and one that is a great conversation piece. People can't help but stand and look at all of the pictures, that reflect the wonderful experiences that hosting and exchange student has given us.
I even became and IEC (International Exchange Coordinator) because of my love of hosting, making lasting friendships, and sharing this with others. Whenever I did the orientation with new families I was able to tell them first hand the great memories they will create, the fun they will have, and the love that will fill their hearts. I also told them the worst part will be at the airport in June when their student has to return home. Letting go is very hard after a year, but the connections stay strong, and they are and always will be family.
-Mom
My daughter, Kristin, comes up to me with a young man and introduces him to me as Adam, a Swedish exchange student. Then she told me he had no permanent home yet. He was a very polite young man and even offered to share an umbrella with me. Well, my heart ached for this young man. Here he was with no home and far away from his home and family. Kristin had asked if we could host him and of course this was all it took, my heart melted and said yes.
That was the beginning of an adventure that would change not only his life but my life and the life of my family and extended family. We ended up hosting 12 exchange students over the years. I cannot put into words what a wonderful experience it has been. We now have friends and family all over the world. They have come back to visit and so have their families. Two of the boys are now dad’s and so I am the babies’ American Grandma! How exciting is that!
I have a very special Christmas tree I put up each year. It is decorated with pictures of our International families! It is one of my favorite trees and one that is a great conversation piece. People can't help but stand and look at all of the pictures, that reflect the wonderful experiences that hosting and exchange student has given us.
I even became and IEC (International Exchange Coordinator) because of my love of hosting, making lasting friendships, and sharing this with others. Whenever I did the orientation with new families I was able to tell them first hand the great memories they will create, the fun they will have, and the love that will fill their hearts. I also told them the worst part will be at the airport in June when their student has to return home. Letting go is very hard after a year, but the connections stay strong, and they are and always will be family.
-Mom
Melissa- Host Sister
I don't know what my life would be like with out our exchange students. I got to grow up with many brothers and sisters that taught me a new culture every year. Adam was the first and will for ever be my big brother, but I will always have a connection with each and every one of them. I love that my children have aunts and uncles all over the world and should they ever want to do an exchange they could to go to one of their houses. Eelco and his parents even came to my wedding. Flying over and spending the whole week with us, and while Eelco was in the wedding as one of the ushers his parents video taped the wedding for me. They made the most beautiful video that I will always have to remember my wedding. When my son was born each of the exchange students sent him a gift from their country. They ranged from authentic Colombian outfit to a Swedish horse to a German angel that he still sleeps with to this day. Some day I hope to take my kids to each of their countries to visit.
-Melissa
-Melissa
Donald- Host Grandpa
Adam was our first exchange grandson. I could kid with him and because his English was so good he would give it right back to me. I loved it. He also had a hollow leg, that boy could eat! So, of course that was one thing I could pick on him about. Another memory with Adam was on St. Lucia Day, a holiday celebrated in Sweden. Our granddaughter Kristin, was talked into dressing as St Lucia complete with the crown of candles on her head. Her job was to go into Adam's room with a plate of biscuits, singing a special song. So, in she goes and he rolled over in bed saw her, (by this time the fake candles were pointing every which way) and burst out laughing. She threw the biscuits at him and ran out. Needless to say that was the end of St Lucia day in that house.
David, his brother was a fisherman. I took him to Canada with me on a boy's weekend fishing trip. He loved it. We also enjoyed watching David play soccer, he was excellent. That year they made it to States. They played in the Dome in Syracuse, NY. Ten minutes into the championship game he fell and broke his arm. So, while the game went on he went to the hospital. He did get back in time to see his team win and was able to celebrate with them.
Erik was only with our family for the second half of the year, but the thing I remember most about him are that he liked the three "P's"- Pepsi, Pringles and Pie. My daughter lived around the corner from a convenient mart and he would walk there every day and buy Pepsi and Pringles. On his last day my wife made him an apple pie to take with him. He finished the whole thing before we even got to the airport!
Hanno and Lina were here the same year. Hanno from Germany and Lina from Columbia. I took them ice fishing at our home on a lake. Hanno was right out there fishing. Poor Lina was sitting inside my ice fishing tent freezing. She stated this would be as cold as she would be! But in the warm weather she was the fisher person. She caught fish, cleaned them, cooked and ate them!
Philipp and Ana were here together. Philipp from Germany and Ana from Brazil. They were just like brother and sister. One day we were with them and one of them got hold of a silly string in a spray can. That proceeded to become a big silly string war! Both were covered. Poor Anna had it all over in her long black hair! Philipp and I also built a huge bird house together. He loved working with wood and did and excellent job. I was totally surprised on my birthday a few years ago. I was told I had a gift in the car. I went out and there was a big box in the car. I opened it and there was my little Brazilian granddaughter. How special that was!
Eelco, our grandson from Holland, was an excellent tennis player. We really enjoyed watching him play. The bad part I learned you cannot cheer at a tennis match, the coach gets mad. A funny story about Eelco is he was helping out my granddaughter one day. She needed to get to work and her car was in front of my daughter's car. It was the middle of winter and in central NY that is really bad. He pulled the car out and then tried to pull it back in...he did right through the garage door! He had hit a patch of ice and away the car went.
We have thoroughly enjoyed everyone of the students. We had only granddaughters until they came. Now we have several grandsons and two more beautiful granddaughters.
David, his brother was a fisherman. I took him to Canada with me on a boy's weekend fishing trip. He loved it. We also enjoyed watching David play soccer, he was excellent. That year they made it to States. They played in the Dome in Syracuse, NY. Ten minutes into the championship game he fell and broke his arm. So, while the game went on he went to the hospital. He did get back in time to see his team win and was able to celebrate with them.
Erik was only with our family for the second half of the year, but the thing I remember most about him are that he liked the three "P's"- Pepsi, Pringles and Pie. My daughter lived around the corner from a convenient mart and he would walk there every day and buy Pepsi and Pringles. On his last day my wife made him an apple pie to take with him. He finished the whole thing before we even got to the airport!
Hanno and Lina were here the same year. Hanno from Germany and Lina from Columbia. I took them ice fishing at our home on a lake. Hanno was right out there fishing. Poor Lina was sitting inside my ice fishing tent freezing. She stated this would be as cold as she would be! But in the warm weather she was the fisher person. She caught fish, cleaned them, cooked and ate them!
Philipp and Ana were here together. Philipp from Germany and Ana from Brazil. They were just like brother and sister. One day we were with them and one of them got hold of a silly string in a spray can. That proceeded to become a big silly string war! Both were covered. Poor Anna had it all over in her long black hair! Philipp and I also built a huge bird house together. He loved working with wood and did and excellent job. I was totally surprised on my birthday a few years ago. I was told I had a gift in the car. I went out and there was a big box in the car. I opened it and there was my little Brazilian granddaughter. How special that was!
Eelco, our grandson from Holland, was an excellent tennis player. We really enjoyed watching him play. The bad part I learned you cannot cheer at a tennis match, the coach gets mad. A funny story about Eelco is he was helping out my granddaughter one day. She needed to get to work and her car was in front of my daughter's car. It was the middle of winter and in central NY that is really bad. He pulled the car out and then tried to pull it back in...he did right through the garage door! He had hit a patch of ice and away the car went.
We have thoroughly enjoyed everyone of the students. We had only granddaughters until they came. Now we have several grandsons and two more beautiful granddaughters.
Jeanine- Host Grandma
Adam was very special. He was my first exchange grandson. We had a lot of fun with him. When he graduated two years later from his school in Sweden my daughter and I had the privilege of going to Sweden to surprise him. He had no idea we were coming. We sat at his kitchen table with his parents and in he walked. He looked at us, and went and hung up his coat. He was so funny, it took him a couple of minute to believe what he was seeing. Seeing a Swedish graduation was very special. Both he and his brother David have had a family of their own ,so I guess you could say we are American Great Grandparents to 3 Swedish children!!
I had the honor of being able to celebrate my birthday with Lina, from Columbia. Our birthdays are one day apart and so we had our parties together. What fun!
Ana was our little Brazilian granddaughter. She loved Christmas. She came over and decorated our tree. Keep in mind we have been married 60 yrs so we have many decorations. We usually pick and choose what goes on the tree each year. Not Ana! She wanted to use every decoration and she did. When she was done you could see no green on the tree!!! Also Santa came and filled her stocking here. When she went home she put her stocking out and decorated a small palm tree. She was so disappointed Christmas morning when Santa had not filled her stocking! So the next year we sent her a filled stocking!
When Philipp, from Germany went home he made me a bear before he left. I love the Syracuse Orangemen so of course it had a Syracuse shirt on. I collect angels so it had angel wings and he and I loved our ice cream so it was eating a sundae. How sweet!
Eelco and his wonderful family have been back to visit the most, Christopher, from Norway, has come back to visit twice! David has been back once and Ana and and Philipp once.
We have enjoyed everyone of the kids. We love being grandparents and they all call us Grandma and Grandpa. We hear from them all of the time. They send e mails, cards and even call on special occasions. Our lives have truly been blessed by knowing these wonderful young people and they all love my brownies!!!!
I had the honor of being able to celebrate my birthday with Lina, from Columbia. Our birthdays are one day apart and so we had our parties together. What fun!
Ana was our little Brazilian granddaughter. She loved Christmas. She came over and decorated our tree. Keep in mind we have been married 60 yrs so we have many decorations. We usually pick and choose what goes on the tree each year. Not Ana! She wanted to use every decoration and she did. When she was done you could see no green on the tree!!! Also Santa came and filled her stocking here. When she went home she put her stocking out and decorated a small palm tree. She was so disappointed Christmas morning when Santa had not filled her stocking! So the next year we sent her a filled stocking!
When Philipp, from Germany went home he made me a bear before he left. I love the Syracuse Orangemen so of course it had a Syracuse shirt on. I collect angels so it had angel wings and he and I loved our ice cream so it was eating a sundae. How sweet!
Eelco and his wonderful family have been back to visit the most, Christopher, from Norway, has come back to visit twice! David has been back once and Ana and and Philipp once.
We have enjoyed everyone of the kids. We love being grandparents and they all call us Grandma and Grandpa. We hear from them all of the time. They send e mails, cards and even call on special occasions. Our lives have truly been blessed by knowing these wonderful young people and they all love my brownies!!!!
