My name is Miriam, daughter of Blanca and Jose. I was born in Madrid, Spain. I never thought about going abroad until the opportunity showed up last year. I have been living in Ignacio this last year because a family gave me a place to stay. I have no words to thank them, the way they took me into their family since the first day and everything that follows that. This experience changed my life but I am pretty sure it changed theirs too. I am not that person anymore, they influenced me, and now they are part of me. They are something I will always bring with me from now on.

I would also like to thank the entire community for all the facilities that made my residence here easier and for all the times that they have helped me. By this I mean family, friends, teachers and everybody else who was there supporting and helping me.

I just want to say that if someone has the facilities and resources to keep an exchange student sometime, go for it, because it is going to make you grow up too and you will take advantage from that amazing experience. I know it is hard to just bring someone you do not know to your house, but I promise you that it will be worth it. Now I have a new family. Time to go home is almost here and all the emotions and moments are coming back and forth to my head. I love them as I love my real family and I will always be grateful.

If you would consider being a host family please get in touch with my PAX coordinator, Shelley Aveis, at shelley.aveis@pax.org.

Miriam

Ignacio High School