Every year, thousands of international students chase their dreams by coming to study in the U.S., knowing that it will be a life-changing experience. But that can also be said for many host families, whose lives will forever be impacted by their students and the connections they create with them.
When Tyler Hadyniak and his wife, Catherine, decided to host an exchange student, they knew it would be a great opportunity for cultural exchange, but what they didn’t know was that Max, a young boy from Germany, would quickly become a new family member for life.
By Tyler Hadyniak, Host Dad
My wife and I decided to host a foreign exchange student because we thought sharing our lives and home with someone from another country would be fun and a learning experience for everyone. I did a shorter exchange trip when I was in high school and knew how beneficial an exchange of cultures can be. It was only four days after learning of Greenheart’s existence that we selected Max, a sixteen-year-old German boy who seemed to have many similar interests as us. We selected a German because I have a long relationship with that country and ancestral connections through my mother’s side of the family.
Five months later, I can confidently say I have never connected with someone the way I connected with Max. We quickly learned that we had shockingly similar interests — music, science fiction (particularly Star Trek), and American and European history — and seemed so in tuned in both how we acted and dressed that, at one point, we were mistaken for actual father and son. He quickly was accepted by my household and family at large. My four-year-old daughter, Sophia, started calling him “my big brother,” without prompting from anyone. He had his height measured on my parents’ wall at home like all the other grandkids. He partook in every family activity, including our yearly family pictures.
Over Max’s five months we travelled with him to New York City and Washington D.C. He was quickly accepted in the local school and made several friendships I am confident will survive after he leaves.
Saying Goodbye (For Now!)
There is no doubt in my mind what was the hardest part of hosting an exchange student—saying goodbye. Seeing him as soon as possible is not soon enough.
I highly recommend arranging an exchange student for your home, but only if you have the time, energy, and interest in making sure they live as fulfilling lives as possible while they are with you. My Greenheart coordinator, Judy Farwell, was only a quick text or phone call away. Yet I also felt Greenheart gave me, my family, and Max the space to live our lives without unnecessary intrusion.
The immensely positive experience with Max led my family to easily agree to host another student for the spring semester. Kai, the Australian here for the spring, and Max overlapped their stays for a couple weeks.
At Max’s insistence, he and his family are already planning a vacation back to Maine later in 2026.
I could not have asked for a more enriching, memorable experience with a foreign exchange student. Thanks, Greenheart.
Are you interested in opening your heart and home to host an international high school student? Visit HostWithGreenheart.org to meet students like Max and apply today to host!
Do you know of a family who might be a good fit to host? Visit ReferWithGreenheart.org and if they are new hosts with Greenheart, you earn a reward!