Hosting an exchange student

Hello, I’m Jamie from Michigan and this is our first year to host an exchange student. My family, Randy(dad), Veronica (19), Tylar(12), and Adrianna(4). Our exchange student is from Italy, her name is Alessia.

At first we were very nervous but overcame those nerves quickly. It’s like having another daughter, she fits right in with the family. We didn’t get those first couple weeks with her because her father passed away after her being her for 2 days, so she flew back to Italy and didn’t return until the 2th of September.

We have given Alessia house hold chores and she has learned to do her own laundry, something she said her mom always did for her. She cooks dinner once a month for the family, as do all the bigger kids in the house. She is doing great in our school, passing everything. She is active in cheerleading, which I’m not a stranger to the sport since my daughter did it all 4 years of high school. I love that she calls me mom. I love how she is willing to help out with everything. Alessia is a part of our family and is treated no different than my own kids.

I have decorated for Christmas and Alessia is just in awww. I took her black Friday shopping and she couldn’t believe the amount of people out and about.

I was so worried about Alessia fitting in with us, but after a few days with her that went out the door. I’m glad that we decided to host. It’s been such a joy. I look forward to the rest of the year and hope it goes by slow. We will definitely be doing this again in the future, but I will wait until my kids are in high school so that they can be together and not alone.

Jamie Bartley
ICES host mom in Applegate, Michigan
hosting exchange student Alessia from Italy 🇮🇹