Host Family of the Month, December 2011

My name is Eva and I am an exchange student from The Netherlands. I live with the Busby’s in Yuma, Arizona, this year. They are the most amazing and lovely host family.

I had a dream: I wanted to travel the world, become more responsible and learn to live in another culture, to see things in a different perspective and make good decisions.

I found out I got placed with a family in Yuma, Arizona.  When I flew to Yuma, they were there, waiting for me on the smallest airport I’ve ever seen! The boys were holding up posters with: ‘Welcome to our home Eva ♥’.
My host family consists of my host dad, Josh. He is a great dad to his children and a good husband for his wife. He works full-time, but still gets everything and everyone together. It’s amazing to talk with Josh, he knows a lot and that can work out in interesting conversations. My host mom is Wendy. Wendy is a good mom for her children. She is a really girlie mom. I really like that about her! She is a Jazzercise Franchise owner and a good dancer! Then there is their cousin, Laura. She is my host sister! We share a room and have some great girl time together. I have three host brothers, Cameron, Andrew and Aaron. Cameron is the oldest, he is thirteen now. It’s so much fun to talk to him and spend time together with watching a movie or talking about things. Andrew is 9 now, he is really stubborn but so much fun to hang around with, play Legos or swim in the pool. Andrew loves dancing, just like his mom, and so do I. Aaron is 7, he is the youngest and the smallest. Aaron loves cuddling and playing with his big brothers.

The day I came, friends of them were there and we celebrated my birthday. I met all friends and everyone was so nice to me. The boys were all really excited and they made me jump in the pool directly after unpacking with my host sister Laura, she showed me around the house. In that first two days the family made me feel home and they did a great job with it. I feel like I am a part of the family. They let me learn about the American culture, the football games, baseball, and the rest of the culture. They also are very interested in my culture. We did a Dutch holiday on the 5th of December, it’s called Sinterklaas. Sometimes I cook something Dutch for them or tell them about the differences in our culture.

My host family made it possible for me to come here. I really appreciate that. I’m having a great learning experience and they probably do to, because I am their first exchange student. Thank you!