Reflection on Host Families

Italy Ramos

For the majority of my life, I lived on a ranch with just my mom, which made entering the host family space intimidating. Beyond finding the placement of outlets and bathrooms, a new house meant learning and adapting to social norms I may have never experienced. From the minute I walked in the door, the Shanks family quickly established that I was not just a guest in their household, but a member of the family unit. That meant I had a place in every conversation, meal, and area of their life. My host family was committed to sharing what their life looked like including hard conversations, celebrations, and small events like post-dinner dog walks. On my first morning, I walked downstairs at 5:15 AM to find all of the members of the house ready for the day and reading their bibles. This was the first time I had ever had the same routine as those I lived with. Our mornings have now become a sweet time for catching up, checking in, and spending time with one another. This time is so meaningful because it allows me to see and experience another family dynamic while serving in roles I had not occupied before, my favorite being, the older sibling. The Shanks family has also shown me what it means to always have more room at the table as they welcome guests from down the street, across the state, and even from out of the country. No host family experience is the same, but all of them have something new to teach be it sibling relationships, or family traditions.