PAX - Program of Academic Exchange is a program of PAX Laurasian Exchange and is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.

PAX exchange year ending too soon for Texas family

You know that saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun”? We can certainly relate. This school year has flown by, and we’ve had a blast with Alex here in Magnolia, TX. We never dreamed that a student from Ukraine could so easily walk into our home a “stranger” and quickly become a part of our family. We were excited to introduce Alex to life in Texas. By doing so, it made us see the places we’d taken for granted through fresh eyes.

We loved introducing Alex to our family and friends. He is so open and outgoing that he fit right in. He’s made many friends at Magnolia High School, earned a well-deserved award for Citizenship at a recent school ceremony, and attended prom.

As we’re preparing for Alex’s going away party, we feel blessed to have this experience with such a wonderful young man. We consider Alex to be a son and a brother to our family. Our only regret is that it’s ending too soon. We’ll miss his humor and will feel the vacancy in our home and at our family gatherings for a long time to come.

—Khristi Ward (TX), host mom of Alex (FLEX, Ukraine)