They still give me a warm feeling every time we meet. Those lovely moments and comfortable feelings have never changed between us. I feel at home being with them there.

Thea lived across the street from my host family when I was there. She is a piano teacher and was my friend Daniel’s host mom. Daniel was an exchange student from South Korea during my year in Fremont. He and I became very close, and I have visited him in South Korea a couple of times. Daniel is energetic and confident, and sometimes a little crazy. I think he gave Thea some headaches. Overall, though, they had a good time and are still in touch. Thea is very nice to me. Every time my host family went out of town I stayed overnight at her house.

Christine was very supportive during my year in Fremont and taught me a lot about what I know about photography. She still teaches film photography and arts but has since moved to middle school. She is also a good friend of my host mom and was just as happy to see and help me as the first time I was in Fremont.

Sue and Don were my friend Rike’s host family. Rike was an exchange student from Germany during my year in Fremont. Rike’s host sister is also my host sister’s friend. The four of us had a great time hanging out together. Sue and Don are a very friendly and active couple and remembered how much they enjoyed seeing us four girls spend time together. Rike and her host family have also been in touch throughout these sixteen years. They have a strong bond and think of Rike as a family member, just like me and my host family. Rike and I have also stayed in touch and are good friends. I went to visit Rike in Germany last year.

One of my best experiences at Fremont High School was being on the dance team. I was very shy and did not speak English well when I auditioned to join the team, but Cheryl saw my potential and loved the smiley face I put on when I was dancing. She suggested that everyone on the team use facial expressions when dancing, just like me. Cheryl was a very helpful and cheerful coach and was also hosting two exchange students in the later year. Amber was one of my teammates. I usually sat with her during lunch break, and she didn’t mind my broken English. We became close friends, and our friendship continues to this day. Amber is a very positive and dedicated person. The team participated in the West Michigan Student Showcase for the group competition and won first place. It was a great experience, and a lot of fun, being on the team.

Hitomi helps take care of my host family’s house and is also my host mom’s good friend. She is from Japan. She had married an American and moved directly from Japan to Fremont thirty years ago. Hitomi could not speak English well when she first arrived, but she was welcomed by the community and my host mom helped teach her the language. Now she can understand and speak English very well, but still has a strong Japanese accent. She is very kind, always smiling, and is a good cook too!

In Thailand, I am an only child, but in America, I have a brother. He is a cool brother and super tall!

Mikko, who comes from Finland, is one of Fremont High School’s current exchange students. Michelle, Mikko’s host mom, is the mother of four boys. She enjoys having exchange students in her family, and her kids learn a lot from them. Mikko and Michelle get along very well, and both of them love running. They do lots of activities and spend time exploring places together. In a short period, Mikko has become like another son to Michelle. They have become a family, just like me and my host family.

In Thailand, I am an only child, but in America, I have a sister. She and I have become good friends and sisters. We have something more alike than we have ever thought! We also love traveling and exploring new places :)

Rike was an exchange student in my year in Fremont. She is from Germany. She was very nice and kind. We have been good friends since then and I went to visit her in Germany last year. It was very nice meeting an old friend and our friendship is still the same. We had a good time together exploring Cologne which is where she live now.