Family. One word and so many different meanings. So many different associations. Family are your relatives, your parents, your sister, your brother. But also, family could be your in-laws. Family could be your best friend you've known since you were little. Family could be your colleagues or your firm. Family could be anyone you love.

Family. One word, so many different meanings but what about host families?

A host family is someone who mounts you. Someone who gives you a home in an unknown country. Also, someone you work for. Someone who shares their home with you. A host family should be open minded and ready to have a stranger in their house. Sure, you get to know them and they get to know you, but first of all you are a stranger for them. A stranger with a funny accent. A host family is someone who gives you the opportunity to live a life in an unknown country. A host family is someone you spend one year of your life with. So, is a host family 'family'? I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for me. Host family means 'family'.

For me, my host family is more than just some people I work for. My host family is more than people who I live in a house with. My host family is a part of me. Ever since the first day I realised, that I am not only an employee for them, but also a part of their family. Why? Because what ever happened they never left me alone with a problem. When I locked myself out and we could not open the door, because it was locked from the inside. When I had a car crash in my second week or when I wrote applications for universities. I know that I always can count on them. I am not only feeling accepted but also respected.

Why my host family should become the Host Family of the Month? Because they are always there for me. They accept me for who I am and even more, they support me. The work as an Au Pair is not always easy and sometimes you have a bad day. Often that's the reason why Au Pairs get homesick. I do not, because the Edwards family is my home. I found a second home here in New Zealand. I found a Family in the farthest country from Germany. I am not only a part of the Edwards family they are a part of my family.

Henry, Ryan and Morgan are the Host Family of the Month, because they are 'family' after all.

Lena Gromotka