Celebrating outstanding host families: Meet our 2025 Host Family of the Year finalists

“They make me feel valuable and give me thanks every day. My mother and grandmother came to visit 2 months ago, and they welcomed them and invited us to a beautiful restaurant. When they were leaving, I asked my grandma what the best part of the trip for her was and she said, ‘the family you live with’.”

“They always include me in all family activities, they gave me a lot of support to help me with my English and they are always available to help me with any particular problem I have, like a real family. They are personal and empathetic parents, who like to listen to you and always provide support in the most diverse situations.”

“I feel so grateful to be with such a thoughtful and caring family, and their support makes me feel like I truly belong. From my very first weekend with my host family, I shared my culture by making crêpes for them. It was a simple way to connect, and since then, crêpes have become a tradition—I even made some for Thanksgiving to express my gratitude and share a piece of France with them.”

“They help me every day, especially with improving my English. They’ve created an environment where I feel safe to learn, grow, and truly be myself. My host parents are incredible, but the kids are truly the heart of this family. The house is always lively and reminds me so much of my noisy family back home.”

“Thanks to them, my au pair experience is not just a professional opportunity; it has become a life adventure. The best memories of this experience are the everyday moments we share together. Making crêpes, going to the movies, decorating the Christmas tree, or simply enjoying dinner together…these simple yet heartfelt moments, filled with laughter and connection, are the heart of my stay.”

“There are a lot of special moments I had so far but one of the most memorable moments was the gender reveal of their third baby, I had the honor to make the cake with the gender so I was the first one to know! The many times they tell me thank you and the appreciation they give me makes me feel seen and heard.”

“I’m thankful for all the times when, if I seemed down, Janet would always show up with some typical food from my country to make me feel better. I’m thankful for all the holidays, road trips, outings, and family photos we share. These are fun and happy moments I’ll cherish with a lot of love in my memories.”

“Although we had to wait six months to meet in person, the wait was worth it. Their welcome made me feel like part of the family from the very beginning. What I value most is how they have prioritized my well-being and happiness throughout my time here. They’ve encouraged me to stay connected with my family and friends, even opening their home for them to visit.”

“I have many incredible memories, trips that I always dreamed of, unexpected gifts, but without a doubt, I am left with the words of approval that I have received. ‘That you are with us for a second year is the best Christmas gift you can give us.’ ‘You are a special part of the family.’ ‘After being an au pair I want you to live close to us.’ Words like these are what make me think about how lucky I am.”

“They exceeded all my expectations in such a short time, they welcomed me with great enthusiasm, with open arms to give lots of hugs and lots of love. They were very patient with my English from the first day! They respect my space and schedule, even though if it were up to them we would be together all the time.”

“Every small and grand gesture, every kind word, every shared moment shows me that they have not only opened the doors of their home but also of their hearts. They have already given me a priceless gift: the certainty that Im leaving a small part of me in their lives, just as I will always treasure a place for them in mine.”

“One thing I truly appreciate is how excited they get whenever I go on trips. Even if I’m only away for a couple of days, they cheer me on and encourage me. They’ve shown me many aspects of their culture, and they’re also very interested in learning about my Austrian traditions.”

“They treat me not just as an au pair but as a true member of the family, with care, respect, and constant support. One of the things I appreciate most is how much they encourage me to pursue my passion for soccer. They always keep track of my matches, ask how I did, and celebrate my successes.”

“I truly felt like part of their family during our second dinner together, which happened to be my birthday. They surprised me with a big cake and celebrated the day in such a heartfelt way. That moment reassured me that I belonged and that this would be a truly special experience.”

“I’ve had so many wonderful moments with them, like when they made a dinner with their friends to welcome me, when we ran to catch a beautiful sunset at the beach together, or when they gave me my first winter scarf. However, one of the most special moments was the first time we sat down to watch a movie together, as if I had always had a place on that couch, with this family.”

“They are like my American parents, and my two little host kids, Luna is my younger sister, who combs my hair, makes me up, we dance together to Colombian music, we are the best sisters and she is my favorite English teacher and Ian is my little brother, who has taught me patience, affection, and gives me a smile every day!”

“As soon as I came here it felt like home. Emily and Peter did everything they could to make it feel like home. They printed photos of my family and hung it in my room. They bought my favorite snacks and cooked all of my favorite food. They connected me with other au pairs and made sure that I know the city where I live.”

“From the beginning, they opened the doors of their house with much love so that I could live this wonderful experience. They have encouraged me to take many of my trips, they have always supported me and listened to me. They care about me and my family in Colombia, which makes me feel very special.”

“I have no words to describe how thankful I am for being part of this family. Since day one I knew we would be amazing together. And we are. I am an only child but Charlotte, Reese and Aubree are three angels that I love like my own sisters with my whole heart. I cannot imagine my life without them anymore.”

“My favorite memory with this family was during a weekend when we went to watch a Vikings game together. Even though I had never watched a game before, they made sure I felt comfortable, explaining every step of the way and making the moment unforgettable. We laughed, shared stories, and created memories that I will cherish forever.”

“I first felt truly part of the family when we went to watch a football game together. The excitement of the event was palpable, but it was the way my host family included me that made the experience so memorable. They didn’t treat me as an outsider but as an equal, and they made sure I was involved in the activity.”

“It is very easy to feel comfortable here; I can tell my host family anything, whether it is problems from Germany or funny stories from me and my friends. They are there for me when I am homesick and they are happy with me when I experience something new. They involve me in all events and also the children make my day better every time.”

“I am incredibly grateful for everything my host family has done for me. They are not just my host; they have become my second family. Whether I'm happy, sad, or worried, they always there to listen and offer help. Their kindness, generosity, and openness have made my time as an au pair not just a job, but a truly special chapter in my life.”

“When I think about my favorite memories with my host family, it’s hard to choose just one. But one moment that stands out was when I asked my oldest host child, Luke, if I should stay another year. Without hesitation, he looked at me and said, ‘No... you should stay many more years!’ That simple, heartfelt response meant so much to me and made me feel incredibly valued and loved.”

“They gave me the opportunity to experience one of my wildest dreams which was living in the U.S. My favorite memory so far has been going tubing and experiencing snow for the first time with them. I'm grateful I found people like them because they remind me they want my best and they want me to succeed in every aspect of my life here.”

“When I got to the airport, I instantly felt like I was a part of the family; they had flowers, an Italian flag, and a beautiful poster waiting for me. Together, we went to my first baseball and professional basketball game. Everything was new and exciting, I’m going to remember those days forever.”

“When I matched with the Thompson’s it was a kind of love on first sight! I fell in love with every one of them—their kids, their dogs and the parents of course. I really like that they invite me in everything they’ll do and share. Also that we have so much in common and laugh so much together.”

“My host family is very smart and we had deep conversations, and they helped me realize I can achieve anything I set my mind to. They always included me in everything. They helped me grow as a person. I learned how to communicate better and how to express myself more clearly.”