Compass USA

08/24/2026

We recently had the joy of hosting a sweet girl from France named Eugénie. She was incredibly kind, gracious, and appreciative of every single thing we did for her. Her stay came with a few challenges; she spoke very little English and had some significant dietary restrictions, but even with those hurdles, we were able to build a truly precious relationship.

For anyone considering hosting in the future, I want to share a few things I learned (even after doing this for 19 years). Patience truly becomes your best friend. When a student struggles with English, it’s not just about communication; it affects their confidence and comfort. Gentle encouragement and celebrating small victories make a world of difference. And when it comes to dietary restrictions, don’t see them as obstacles. They’re actually opportunities to learn, to ask questions, and to show your student that their wellbeing matters to you.

Creating a soft-landing place is more important than creating a perfect experience. They remember warmth, consistency, and being included in everyday life far more than any big plans. Even with limited English, connection still happens through smiles, shared activities, and simple conversations. You don’t need perfect communication to build a bond; you just need kindness and effort.

Most of all, remember how brave these students are. They leave their country, their language, and everything familiar to live with strangers. A little empathy goes a long way in helping them feel grounded and supported.

Hosting isn’t always easy, but it is always meaningful. If you open your heart, you’ll be amazed at how quickly they become part of your family, just like Eugénie did with ours. Farewell, sweet girl. We will hold you in our heart until our paths cross again.

08/14/2026

08/06/2026

Ramblings from a host mom:

Three weeks, it doesn’t seem long enough. I want to show her our part of the world. I want to push her to use the English she learned for six years. I want to show her that the USA is much more than what she sees in the movies. How do I push it all in three weeks? I can’t. So, I start small.

Meet Eugénie. She is my new “daughter” from France. She braved the storms and flew to us on Sunday. Sure, I gave her time to acclimate to the time change and sleep off the jet lag, but then I started my mission.

Through her application, I learned that she wants to be a veterinarian. It is neat to see a 15-year-old with big plans so early in life. A sweet friend of mine heard about her visit here and had a great idea! She operates a foster system for dogs in our area and then she teams up with a veterinarian at a clinic who offers spay/neuter. She invited Eugénie and my daughter to volunteer for the day at the clinic. What a fantastic opportunity!

The girls woke up bright and early Wednesday morning, and off to volunteer they went. They were able to be very hands-on with the animals. The girls witnessed surgery first-hand, assisted with vaccinations, weighed dogs and cats, and many other normal chores around the vet clinic. It was a great, eye-opening day for both of them. They were especially fond of playing with the puppies.

When I picked them up, they were ready for bed (haha). After hearing the stories of the day, and seeing the sweet smiles on their faces, I knew this was a success. I asked her if she still wanted to be a veterinarian, and with a huge (yet exhausted) smile, she said yes!

Mission #1, success!

Have I ever told you how much I love hosting students from other countries? Seeing things a bit differently, through their eyes, opens my own eyes. My heart is full.