“Like a Mother to Me” – Celebrating Exchange Program Moms This Mother’s Day
When exchange visitors arrive in their host country, they carry more than just luggage—they bring hopes, nerves, excitement, and dreams. But many don’t expect to find someone who feels like home in a place thousands of miles away from everything familiar.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the host moms, mentors, and supervisors who become more than just program contacts. They become caring figures, guiding lights, and in many cases, a second family. Whether through a warm welcome, a homemade meal, encouragement, or simply being there during moments of homesickness, these incredible women shaped the experiences of so many exchange visitors in unforgettable ways.
Some were host mothers who opened their homes and hearts. Others were supervisors who led with compassion and took the time to teach with patience. All of them played a role that went far beyond what was expected and left an imprint that will last a lifetime.
Here are a few of those stories, shared by CAEP exchange visitors from around the world, as a thank you to the women who made their exchange journey truly feel like home.
This is Jaimie, she is like a mother for all the trainees at the farm.
Whenever we had a problem or just wanted a quick chat, we could visit her in her office. She became a real friend of mine, some really amazing memories. It took some time for her to understand my humor, but I never gave a person that many hugs when I had to leave.
Supermom (that’s what I consider her to be, our supermom. This is the amazing Denise Lee (pictured in the photo), who isn’t just our operations manager, but our guardian away from home. From her frequent and timely updates to checking up on us, she’s worth celebrating every day. We greatly admire her kindness and patience as she works with us all, accommodating our differences and faults and paying attention to our needs. All the moms at Farmer Dave’s are super moms and deserve the biggest shoutout.
My name is Tina, and I had my experience with CAEP last year. It was my first time in the US, and I was flooded with questions and fears about facing such a different world and a language I’d never spoken (and didn’t speak well). But I arrived at her home: Vittoria Boscarino, an Italian woman who welcomed me with a warm hug, and suddenly I didn’t feel so far from home anymore.
She supported me through difficult times, waiting for me with glasses of wine and words of encouragement. We visited wineries, explored regions, and had dinner with friends of hers, whom she made my own. She made me part of her family, making me forget the distance. For someone who lost her mother in 2019, without a doubt, the best part of my experience was getting to know her.
Thanks, Vittoria, thanks CAEP.
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this exchange program, which has been transformative in ways I could never have imagined.
In my native language, there is a proverb that says, “Amai ndivo mabariro inobata huswa hweimba” – The Mother is the foundation that holds the thatch grass roof of the house together. During my time in the USA, Sherri Klempel embodied that spirit for me, becoming the unwavering foundation upon which I built my experience.
I arrived in Bloomfield, Montana, nearly 9,000 miles from my home in Zimbabwe, with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The prospect of fitting into a new community was daunting, and I initially struggled to connect with those around me. However, Sherri’s warmth and generosity quickly dispelled my fears. She was always there to answer my questions, offer guidance, and provide a comforting presence. Her invitation to pick fresh vegetables and fruits from her garden evoked cherished memories of my great-grandmother, Ambuya Musarambane, a homesteader who instilled in me a deep appreciation for land and nature. I enjoyed the hearty meals we shared and the stories we exchanged, which fostered a sense of belonging and made me feel truly at home.
Sherri’s encouragement and unwavering support have been instrumental in my journey. She inspired me to persevere, to embrace new challenges, and to never give up on my goals. Because of her, I feel privileged to have not only expanded my agricultural knowledge but also gained a new family in Montana. Thanks to CAEP for connecting me with Sherri Klempel, who has become the “mabariro” of my exchange experience, nurturing my growth and ensuring my success. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and the profound impact it has had on my life.