Tell me a little bit about your host family.
My host family is Andrew and Molly Lovedale. They have two boys, Osas and Ese, and I enjoy spending time with them. They are the sweetest kids ever. Despite how busy they are, they always make sure we spend time together as a family and find joy in the little things.
What did it feel like the first time you knew you were going to have a host family?
I was happy to be in a family that would support me in all ways—helping me adjust to the culture and life in America. I have an example to look up to and someone who shares a similar journey with me.
What is your most memorable moment with your host father?
One of the most memorable moments I have with him is when he drove 3 hours to Lynchburg to bring me Nigerian food because in his words “I was missing the taste of home after being in school for so long,” and he then took me out to lunch and then grocery shopping.
Can you tell us a funny story that involves you and your host dad?
One time he made chicken on the grill, and it didn’t cook all the way. After eating the chicken, I told him it wasn’t done, but I ate everything, and it was just the bone remaining, so he laughed really hard and still makes fun of me to this day.
What would you consider his greatest success as a host father?
His greatest success is the amount of dedication he puts into things. I have learned what commitment means from him. Having someone be a part of your family is a huge dedication one has to make. He has dedicated his life to love, care, and live as an example, not just to me, but to everyone else, and that is very inspiring.
What is your favorite thing to do with your host dad?
I like cooking Nigerian food with him. He is an excellent cook, and I am sure if he hears this, he will be shocked because I give him a hard time about his cooking.
What essential values has he instilled in you, and why?
He has taught me a lot about life. His love for helping others inspires me a lot. He is very selfless, and he pushes me to work hard in life, and because he has lived his experiences and knows more about life than I do, he tries to direct me in the right direction and never fails to let me know what he thinks even though I might not see it at the moment. I am very grateful for having him in my life.
How has your life changed because of your host father?
He has changed my life in numerous ways. I have the opportunity to be in the United States today because he and I can live out our dreams. I am a rising sophomore in college, and I could not have imagined going on this journey without him. I can always count on him to give me the best advice about life, so I am so grateful.
