Mother’s Day is a special day to show our gratitude and celebrate all the mothers, host moms and mother figures out there that do so much to bring happiness to everyone else. In honor of mother’s everywhere, we’re delighted to share the following submissions from AYA students that wrote in to share their love and appreciation for their host moms in America.
My name is Ioana. I’m a FLEX student from Romania, living in Ohio.
I want to say two things to my host mom, Colleen: thank you and mulțumesc (thank you in Romanian)! She is such a wonderful person who is so involved in her community. She opened her home and her heart to me and so many exchange students before. If I learned one thing about her, it is that she has a beautiful soul which loves order and routine but is also open to adventure (like say maybe, hosting foreign teenagers). I love her, because she is one of the most caring, thoughtful people I have ever met and because she puts up with my arguing and questioning of everything.
Hi, my name is Aiym. I am from Kazakhstan and currently live in New York state.
My amazing host mom’s name is Cheryl. Let me tell you how awesome she is. She has the biggest heart; she is kind and nice. She will always put other people’s needs first, and she always helps people. I keep wondering how is she so strong, smart, loving and caring. She has a beautiful family, and she is definitely so pretty. She helped me through a lot, and there wasn’t a second I felt homesick around her. I love making jokes around her, because I love her laugh. I love her food, and when she always would buy me mandarin oranges, because she knows how I love them. She keeps me going and moving forward. She has a finger in every pie. I would never ask for a better host mom and family, because it’s impossible to find better ones. I love my mom!
Anne-Kathrin from Germany wrote the following to praise her host mom Valerie in Texas:
I would like to thank Valerie, because she is my awesome host mum.
About 6 months ago, Valerie had no idea that she would be a host mum today. She hadn’t even an idea what that was. But after I moved in, she did an incredible job. She treated me as a daughter and not just as a guest. She helped me with the new language and let me feel home in the new surroundings, so that I could call this my second home soon.
Every day, Valerie does everything she can for me and my host siblings, Brian and Andrea. No matter if it’s our lunches in the mornings, the laundry on the weekends, or a ride to school or hobbies. She invests a huge amount of her time into all of us, every single day.
Even when I was sick one time, she went with me to the doctor first and was therefore late to work. And during tennis season, she took off every other day from work, just to watch my matches. Valerie came to support me, even though she had never watched tennis before and didn’t know any of the rules. She is one of the most caring women that I have ever met. Therefore, I’m glad that I can call her my host mum and nobody else! I hope she knows how much I appreciate her.
Thank you, Valerie, for being my awesome host mum!
I’m Cagla from Turkey, and I’m an AYA student in South Carolina.
My host mom’s name is Janet, and I love her so much cause she’s my mom. Like I said, she’s my “mom” not “host” mom, so I love her as much as my other mom from my country. She’s trying to make everything better for me. She’s caring for me and my problems like her own children. She knows how can we have fun; she can adapt with us, and we can have fun all together.
Janet’s always smiling and being positive. To be honest sometimes it’s making me like, “why is she always happy? Even when we have problems, she’s trying to smile and be positive, like how can it be possible?” And I guess I found the answer lately: because she’s the mom. If she falls, we’ll fall, too. She’s being strong and happy so it’ll make us stand up and be strong in front of all problems.
I can talk with Janet about all my problems, even the ones from my country. She doesn’t need to know them or doesn’t have to listen to me, but she’s such a kind and good listener.
One day, I just wrote a letter about myself, and I explained my everything — why am I trying to smile, why am I doing somethings, or why am I giving some reactions. I gave her my guide to explain everything. Janet read this letter patiently and now, she knows everything about me as much as my other mom. Because of that, I love her, and because of that, she’s not my “host” mom. She’s my real mom as much as my birth mom. I love you mom. I’ll always be here for you, and I’ll always love you. Your daughter, Cagla.
I am Justine from Germany, and I live in Ohio, America, right now.
My host mum is Jean. I love my host mum, because she shows me some great American culture. Sometimes, I help her cooking, baking or just a regular Walmart shopping is completely different. The best thing is shopping with her, because she has a very good style.
My name is Giuliana. My host mom’s name is Diane. We’re in Colorado, and I’m from Brazil!
I love my host mom not only because she gave up a lot of things so that we could enjoy a life in the U.S., but because she takes her time to get to know me, to help me and to show me a lot of nice things from the U.S. I love her, because she’s a wonderful person and friend. Diane, you’re amazing, and I’m really thankful to be your host daughter. ❤
Lea from Germany wrote the following about her host mom in Texas:
I love my mom, Eva, because she is always there for me, and I can always talk to her. I am also very glad that we do so many things together like getting our nails done and working out all the time. It is so much fun to spend time with her. She took me to so many places and showed me the Texan way of living. I am so glad that she is my host mom and takes care of me.
My name is Marie. I’m a student from Germany, and I’m living in Pennsylvania with my host mum, Jena.
I love her, because she asked me to stay at her family after my first host family wasn’t a great fit, and to say yes was the best decision I could make! Also, she put these super cute notes in my lunch box, and watching movies at night was awesome!
So here are some of my pictures with my best friend in this year, my beautiful “Mamma Cherry.” Her name is Jerri, and I am Ceren from Turkey. I live with Jerri in Indiana, and the reason that she is the best host mother is that she is always here when I need. Sometimes I feel closer with her than my real mom! She deserves the best of everything! I love her, and I am so sad that I am leaving in a month. Happy Mother’s Day to my lovely Mamma Cherry.
My name is Farah. I’m a student from Tunisia living in South Carolina with my host mom Suzanne.
I love her, because she is simply a wonderful woman. She shows me that you can be responsible, but cool at the same time. We have lots in common and lots of shared interests. She s definitely someone that I look up to, and I just want to show her how much I care for her and love her, because she cares for me too.
My name is Janko. I’m from Germany and currently live in Washington State with my host mom Deborah.
She is always there for me and makes me feel like she is my real mom.
Andi from Indonesia shared the following about living in New York with host mom Jocia:
There are 13 reasons why I love my host-mom.
- She is awesome.
- She is amazing.
- She is nice.
- She is kind.
- She is cool.
- She is great cooker.
- She is best shopper.
- She is a person to tell about everything.
- She is a motivator.
- She is a supporter.
- She is my alarm (sometimes not often).
- She is beautiful.
- She is not only a mom; she is a best friend.
The conclusion is: I really love my host mom just like I love my mom. She has the same traits with my mom but in a different way. Sometimes, I wish that my mom and my host mom could talk to each other. I know that they would be best friends. Sadly, my mom can’t speak English and my host mom can’t speak Indonesian. Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing American mom! I love you so much.
My name is Sweta. I’m a student from India living with my host family in Kansas.
I love my host mom, Ning, because every weekend she teaches me to cook different American cuisines, and I also cook some of the recipes from home. We are more like best friends than a hosted student and host parent.
My name is Rachel. I’m a student from Switzerland living in North Carolina.
I love my host mom, Melissa. Ever since I came here, my host mom has been nothing but amazing. She has always made me feel welcome, and the fact that she is one of the most caring people I know makes her the best host mom I could’ve asked for. She treats me like family and always thinks of me when it comes to things like buying me a corsage for prom and giving me a little Valentine’s gift. Her outgoing personality has made it possible for me to experience so many things, and I couldn’t be more grateful!
My name is Jackson. I’m a student from China living in Illinois.
My host mom is Shylah. She’s a young mom having two kids ages 6 and 8. She’s a very active and interesting person with a sense of humor. I am a shy Chinese student giving Shylah practice being a teenager’s mom ahead of time. She gives me advice and encouragement when I need it. She gave me advice on prom based on her memories, helped me pick out the Christmas gifts, and came to my musical twice. About my leaving to go home to China, she joked, “I’m about to lock you in my basement so you can’t go back,” with faint sadness in her voice.
My name is Sharib. I’m a student from the Philippines living in Ohio.
My host mom is Priscilla. I love her, because she makes my exchange year memorable.
My name is Mohammad, and I am a student from the Philippines living in South Carolina.
My host mom is Allison. During my stay here, she taught me a lot of things like American ways. She made me feel like I’m home and in my country. We do a lot of stuff. I think I have the best mom and host family ever. Allison loves me like her own son. She provides anything for me and does everything just to make me happy. And you know what? I didn’t feel like I miss home for the past months that I was here. My natural mom and Allison are not really different with each other. I can really open things up for them, and they give me advice for life. I’m so blessed that I have a mom like her. My experience won’t be like this without her. That’s why I really love her so much❤❤❤😘❤
From everyone at Academic Year in America, happy Mother’s Day to all of our participants and moms around the world!
Learn more about Academic Year in America.
Those are inspiring beautiful stories! Hats off to the host moms & the kids are wonderful!!!