A Ray of Sunshine

By The Beckner Family

I can’t believe the school year is almost over. It seems as though just yesterday we were selecting an exchange student to live in our home for ten months. On August7th, we drove to the airport as a family of three and came home with our new addition, Anika.

My family was so very excited about all the possibilities of hosting an international exchange student, yet once we brought her home, we were all a little uncertain as how this would all work out. However, now that we have reached the last few days as a host family, we realize what a blessing this experience has been to each one of us.

Yes, yes, yes, the first few months were turbulent. Anika, a teenager with a mind of her own and much experience under her belt, thought her way was better when it came to dressing. To sum it up, Anika felt that when it came to clothing that her motto was “less is more” whereas I passionately felt that the only thing my daughters would be selling was above the shoulders. Anika and I spent many hours talking and sharing our differing opinions until she realized that I only had her best interest at heart. I believe the key with our success has been tolerance, open mindedness, and respect. Now after months of getting to know each other, Anika has become one of us. She has been a sibling to my daughter, Gabby, a new experience for both Anika and Gabby as they are both only children. This has been a good learning lesson for the girls as they have had to share time, space, and resources. They have fought like true siblings do and bonded like they were blood related. I believe that both girls are stronger, better people from knowing each other. Gabby will truly miss Anika when she leaves. Anika has been a real gem in our community. She has given much of her time helping others who are less fortunate and in need by volunteering at local organizations. Anika has logged more than 200 hours of community service at our food pantry, library, church, and zoo. Anika has strengthened our town all the while growing herself from these experiences. Initially, Anika did not realize how many people are in need nor did she understand how she could help. Before coming to America, Anika had never been a volunteer, yet now her eyes have been opened, her mind enriched, and her heart enlarged. I feel that this experience will foster Anika to become a life-long volunteer.

Anika has been a ray of sunshine in our daily lives and we have enjoyed our short time together immensely. Yet, Anika has touched so many lives. Our family has been a constant reminder to our fellow citizens that there are small ways that we can all do our part to make our world a better place to live.

“Durch Zusammenleben lernt man zusammen leben.”, is a German saying meaning, “By living together, people learn to live together”. For anyone who is considering hosting an exchange student, I offer these final points. This experience has allowed our family to travel internationally without ever leaving our home. Opening our home to an exchange student is a baby step we took toward assisting with improved international communication and understanding.

I feel that hosting an international student is a wonderful opportunity to share our culture with a student from another country, as well as to experience international culture without leaving home. We can explore new customs, food, and perspectives by hosting an exchange student. Because distances between countries and cultures are ever shrinking, it seems even more important to make international friends, and to become more active, united members of our global village.

Most importantly is the rewarding sense of fulfillment we feel as a host family, knowing that we have played a key part in helping Anika achieve her dream. The advantages of hosting an exchange student are countless. From the exposure of another culture to the rewarding sense of fulfillment, there are countless reasons to open one’s home and heart to students studying abroad. In conclusion, we as a host family have seen through this experience first-hand that cultures are neither superior nor inferior to each other, only different, and that these differences have enriched our lives.