Oh Dear

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A first week with a host family can feel overwhelming, even when everything seems perfect. Exchange student Joleen and host mom Briana look back at the nerves, small kindnesses, awkward laughs, and honest conversations that helped a new household start to feel like home.Joleen remembers spotting Briana at the airport and wanting to run the other way, then finding a thoughtfully prepared bedroom, an over-the-top welcome basket, and a family that made room for her to settle in at her own pace. Briana shares what she noticed, including the broken suitcase, the hidden homesickness, and the moment Joleen finally felt at ease enough to grab a snack without asking.Together, they get into the harder and funnier parts of building trust: why it can be tough to admit you’re homesick, how good conversations make space for complicated feelings, and why a soaked ride at the Mall of America became a sign that Joleen was part of the family. Joe joins in with his own perspective on when the relationship began to feel real.For exchange students and host families, the takeaway is reassuring: you don’t have to feel completely at home on day one. Give each other time, make room for honesty, and let the relationship grow beyond first impressions. A funny, heartfelt conversation about finding your footing, feeling understood, and learning to vibe.

How do you prepare for an exchange year—and what can you never really prepare for? In this episode, Jolene and her host family talk through the practical details, big emotions, and unexpected lessons that came with getting ready to live together.From visas, packing, and welcome baskets to nervous first calls, food preferences, homesickness, and the infamous “open-door policy,” they share honest advice for future exchange students and host families: communicate early, don’t overthink every detail, and remember that it’s okay to have preferences.

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Leaving home for nine months can bring tears, big fears, and a suitcase that won’t close. A German exchange student and her host family share what the first month in America was really like—from worrying about politics and losing friends to discovering an unexpected feeling of belonging. They talk about why the family decided to host, what it felt like to say goodbye to home and arrive in Iowa, and the hopes they have for the year together.

The conversation also includes high school football, Target, American snacks, a debate over “pre-noon,” and honest reflections on homesickness, fitting in, and being far from the people you love. For exchange students and host families alike, this warm, funny story offers a reminder: you don’t have to pretend everything is fine. Be honest, ask for support, and let a new place become home one conversation at a time.