Hosting International Students: A Heartwarming Experience
Hosting International Students
Imagine welcoming someone from halfway across the world into your home — someone with a different culture, language, and background. Now imagine that person becoming like family in just a few short weeks. That’s exactly what happened when my family and I decided to host international students in our home. What started as a practical decision quickly turned into one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve ever had.
In this blog post, I’ll share why we decided to host, how we prepared for their arrival, some memorable moments, and my reflections on what it was like to open our home — and our hearts — to international students.
Why We Decided to Host
My family and I live in a larger home with two kitchens, multiple bedrooms and extra living space. We had toyed with the idea of Airbnb, but there were a lot of factors that made us hesitant — from dealing with short-term stays to managing guest turnover. So, we decided to explore alternative options.
I came across an advertisement about hosting international students and was instantly intrigued. I reached out to get more information, but things didn’t align at first. However, my mom, Judith, kept seeing posts about hosting international students and decided to learn more about it. Once we understood what hosting entailed, we both agreed it was something we wanted to pursue — and we’re so glad we did.
Preparing for Their Arrival
Getting our home ready for our first students took a bit of adjusting. Since both my mom and I had home offices in our bedrooms, we had to clear those spaces and relocate our offices downstairs to make room for our guests. We also realized we didn’t have enough furniture, so we ended up purchasing an extra bed, and I was lucky enough to get a desk from someone who was giving it away.
Once we had their rooms set up, we started to get excited about their arrival. We didn’t know what to expect, but we knew one thing — we wanted them to feel like family.
Memorable Moments
The two and a half weeks they stayed with us felt like a blur of joy and connection. From the moment they arrived, we bonded instantly. We shared meals, laughed a lot, and learned so much from each other.
One of my favorite moments was introducing them to one of my favorite Jamaican dishes — ackee and saltfish. Watching their faces light up as they tried it for the first time was so heartwarming. In return, they shared some of their culture with us through Japanese snacks, games, scarves, and handwritten letters.
One letter that touched me deeply read: "Dear Katrice, Thank you for everything. I was a little nervous, but I had a great day with you. It was fun to go shopping together. I’m looking forward to seeing you again. – Yuna."
That simple, heartfelt note made me realize just how impactful hosting can be. We didn’t just provide a place to stay — we created memories that would last a lifetime.
Reflecting on the Experience
Saying goodbye was, without a doubt, the hardest part. We had grown so accustomed to their presence that the house felt noticeably quieter when they left. I remember my mom and I both saying, “It feels like a part of our family is missing.”
Hosting international students opened my eyes to how beautiful and diverse the world is. It also deepened my curiosity about Japan — a country I now have high on my list to visit. More importantly, it taught me the importance of human connection and how much you can learn from someone in such a short period of time.
Looking back, I’m so glad we chose to host international students instead of doing Airbnb. It was a decision that brought so much warmth and love into our home. If you’ve ever considered hosting international students, I encourage you to take the leap. It’s an experience filled with laughter, learning, and meaningful connections - and it might just leave a lasting mark on your heart. You never know the lifelong connections and friendships you might create.
If you’re interested in learning more about hosting international students, I encourage you to check out some hosting programs in your area. You just might find that it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.
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