During COVID-19 and prior to the murder of George Floyd, I posed the question on my social media channels, “would you host an exchange student post the pandemic?” And the answer was overwhelmingly, NO! I want you to reconsider.

In my last post, I spoke to you about my mom and how she immersed the importance of travel, adventure and exploration in to my life. Another way that my parents exposed me to international culture and customs was through hosting exchange students in our home. Over a four year period we hosted four students, two young ladies from Japan, one young lady from Spain and one young lady from France.

I was around nine years old when we hosted our first student, she was from Japan. As a bonus, I would get to tag along and enjoy fields trips and excursions all around the wonderful state of Colorado. We skied, white water rafted, hiked, went to the amusement parks, it was really a great time!

It was through these experiences that I was exposed to my international friends various cultures, finding common ground and connection in the midst of broken English and words lost in translation.

Esther, the student from Spain and I had a blast, we’d play dress up and dance and sing, she was a lot of fun. While I do not recall the young ladies name from France, my stand out memory of her was her fascination with peanut butter. I mean, she really loved peanut butter! I understand now that hazelnut spreads like Nutella are more popular in European counties, however, at the time having been exposed to peanut butter my entire life, I found it odd. The the Asian students introduced me to sushi, kimonos and origami way before it hit the mainstream.

Being exposed to other cultures and customs at such a young age encouraged connection in my home, community and the broader world. I was able to develop understanding that we all have far more in common that we realize.

Given the current climate in the world and more specifically America, hosting exchange students also fostered a space for me to celebrate cultural difference. As children we were equally excited to share our experiences, cultures and customs with one another. And along with sharing American traditions with my international friends, I was also able to share my lived and loving black experience. I was able to be my authentic self because I was with my family and support system.

I know it’s a scary new world with possibilities of closed boarders, dismantling of systems and fear based society. Yet, on the other side of fear is great reward. So I challenge you to consider hosting an exchange student when the time is right for you and your family. What can you really teach your children and family about tolerance, inclusion and diversity through opening up your home? How do you begin to teach these lesson if you don’t address cultural differences in the home?

Expand your mind, expand your experiences and expand your life. Help bridge the global inequity gaps, teach your children to foster a global perspective and awareness. We can change the world, through our children.

Cheers to celebrating cultural differences and seeking to understand one another a little bit better..