Welcoming Our German Exchange Student: A Season of Connection

This past June, my daughter, Sadie, had the incredible experience of staying with a family in Germany for two weeks and traveling with her German classmates for another week. She came home full of stories, laughter, and memories that only happen when you step into someone else’s everyday life. Now, in 10 days we get to experience the other side of that exchange—welcoming her host sister into our home for two weeks.

There’s something beautiful about this circle of hospitality. Sadie was welcomed as part of their family, and now we have the chance to do the same here. What makes it even more meaningful is that our exchange student is an only child. For the next two weeks, she won’t just be a guest—she’ll suddenly have an older brother and an older sister. She’ll get to see what it feels like to share space, swap stories, and experience the playful chaos of sibling life.

Hosting isn’t just about filling the days with big adventures (and we plan to have a few), It’s about sharing the small, everyday rhythms that make a family feel like home—meals around the table, inside jokes that grow naturally, and the comfort of simply belonging. Those quiet, ordinary moments often become the most memorable.

This exchange is more than a cultural learning opportunity—it’s a reminder of how connected we really are. Two families, an ocean apart, weaving their lives together through trust, openness, and shared experience. By the end of these two weeks, I hope our guest leaves with more than just stories of America. I hope she carries with her the warmth of family, the joy of new “siblings,” and the feeling that she has a home here, too.

For us, the gift is just as great. We get to see our lives through new eyes, and in doing so, we realize that what we often consider ordinary is actually extraordinary.

I’ll admit, there’s a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling up as the countdown gets closer. But that’s what makes this so special. It’s not just a visit—it’s an adventure we’ll all remember long after the suitcase is packed and the flight home is boarded.

The Wellness in Connection

Moments like these remind me that wellness isn’t just about nutrition, movement, or even sleep—it’s about relationships and belonging. Research consistently shows that connection improves mental health, lowers stress, and strengthens resilience. Sharing our home, our table, and our family routines with someone new isn’t only an act of kindness—it’s a way of nourishing ourselves, too.

At Storm & Harmony Wellness, we talk often about “Rebalance • Restore • Resilience.” Hosting an exchange student embodies all three. It helps us rebalance by stepping outside of our usual routines, restore by finding joy in simple shared moments, and build resilience by deepening relationships across cultures. Connection is, in many ways, the healthiest habit of all.