For Allen and his family in rural Kansas, hosting a high school exchange student through Academic Year in America (AYA) wasn’t just a one-year experience — it sparked a lifelong connection! In 2014, he and his family hosted Vanessa from Germany, and what began as a cultural exchange quickly grew into a bond that has lasted for over a decade. Today, Vanessa remains a part of their family, continuing to stay in touch and leave lifelong memories spanning both sides of the Atlantic.
Check out our interview with Allen as he shares his journey as a host family in Kansas.
Please introduce yourself. How long have you been hosting?
“My name is Allen Strite. I’m from Rossville, Kansas. I was a host dad, and our family hosted Vanessa from Germany 10 years ago, in 2014. She’s back again this weekend, so we’re super excited to see her. We’ve seen her multiple times in the interim and communicate frequently, but we’re super happy that she’s here this weekend.”
What have you learned about other cultures as a result of hosting?
“We’ve learned a lot about the German culture and the European way of life. There’s a million things that are different, and there’s a million that are the same. It’s been a really fun and interesting journey both ways. She’s got to learn a lot about the American culture and the Midwestern culture while she’s been here, and the same thing with us. She’s given us all kinds of stories, and she’ll always tell us how it’s different in Germany because my family’s super interested and asks those questions.
I think it’s been a real blessing and an interesting journey for both of us. Our daily lives remind us of her, culturally. Number one, we’ve got a picture of her along with our other kids on our mantle that’s been there for 10 years. I remember she told us—and I don’t know if it’s specific to just Germany, it might be European—but when you’re done, like if you want more food, you cross your utensils on the plate. She taught us that when she was here.
There’s a million different things that have really gone both ways in terms of experiences and culture. Like even with the Olympics going on, when I see the German Olympic athletes, I always think of Vanessa every time. ”
Have you kept in touch with the students you’ve hosted?
“They’ve come to visit us since; her whole family comes, so we know their whole family, what they’re doing. We stay in contact with each other, and our families’ lives are interconnected. It’s just a beautiful thing.”
How do towns like yours across the US benefit from the presence of high school exchange students?
“I think it is a wonderful thing for communities like this one—a small Midwestern community. I know a lot of my kids who graduated from here benefit from being around someone different. It’s a way to experience the culture and the way life is in other countries without having to go there, because you’ve got someone living here full-time who can teach the students things and give them different perspectives.
I think it’s the best of the students that come here. It’s a competitive process, and the kids that come are excellent students and excellent people overall. The level of etiquette, manners, and just trying to assimilate and fit in—that’s what I think everybody wants—and they do such an amazing job of that. They’re social and just great kids to be around.
For the students and the community of Rossville, when these kids come in, I just think it’s a wonderful thing. It’s wonderful both ways: it’s wonderful for the student, and it’s wonderful for [our community].”
What does it mean to you to host with AYA?
“The experience was great. It was totally professional. [Our Local Coordinator Kelly] kind of ran it in this area, and she provided all the information. There were some inspections that happened, which I think is great for the safety of the kids and to make sure everything is good and the home they’re in is appropriate. We want to make sure and provide that. It wasn’t overly burdensome or over the top, but there were safety measures and rules in place for them when they’re here. Overall, I thought the process was excellent. It was very good.
We are super grateful and happy that we hosted Vanessa. Like I said, I think it’s changed my life, my kids’ lives, and the lives of community members—friends that she’s met and still has in the community. I think there’s a ripple effect both ways, for the host family and for the student that comes in. For us, it was nothing but positive.
I’ll say one thing, just to tell you how close she is to us now—and she reminded me of this weekend, I had kind of forgotten it—she got a tattoo on her foot several years ago. The tattoo is the coordinates—the latitude and longitude—of my house in Rossville, Kansas, where she stayed. She still considers it her home away from home.
Anyway, I think that’s a neat story. It’s cute, and she’s great.”
Host an exchange student with AYA
Academic Year in America (AYA) is a non-profit organization that connects enthusiastic international high school students with host parents who are ready to welcome them into their homes. In addition to matching host parents and exchange students, we offer valuable 24/7 support from professionals at our national office and our on-the-ground Local Coordinators, who are ready to assist you throughout your entire hosting experience.
If you want to be like Allen in Kansas and host an international exchange student, AYA is here to help!
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