Each year, a different set of dishes is laid onto the dining table and the smell wafts through the air. The walls grow accustomed to hearing a native language from miles away, and a new student explores the culture of the U.S. from the comfort of their temporary, but new home.
Orchestra teacher Thomas Wright and his wife, Beth Wright, open their home and heart every year to host foreign exchange students from all around the world.
With every experience and student differing from one another, Wright has gained countless memories and 25 years of experience to cherish. This year he reached a significant milestone, welcoming his 50th student into his home.
“I don’t have friends, I have families all over the world,” Wright said.
This heartwarming tradition all started by accident.
The birth of this tradition began one summer when Wright was teaching English abroad, primarily in Russia.
He did this as a side job in the summer, teaching English as well as teaching at bible camps. Wright enjoyed meeting new people, which exposed him to a wide variety of students who were fascinated with American culture.
“Bit by bit, as my English students got old enough, they expressed interest in coming as exchange students to the U.S.,” Wright said.
After filling out an application from FLAG (Foreign Links Around the Globe) International, a call from a local Christian
school changed everything.
The school asked Wright if he could host an exchange student. A Russian-speaking student, hailing from Kyrgyzstan, a country in Central Asia, became the first of many Wright would take under his wing.
His wife, Beth Wright, has been exposed to the culture of foreign exchange students before. She encountered them in high school and college, and she even had family members who worked overseas.
Because of their previous experiences, the Wright family was able to swiftly ease into this new lifestyle.
“The world is a very small place now,” Beth said. “We have family in lots of countries all around the world.”
As the Wrights navigate the highs and lows of accommodating each student’s needs, they strive to make each student feel at home.
“Our lives revolved around having kids,” Beth said. “But generally only for the school year.”
Each year, the Wright family discovers what each student enjoys from their passions, favorite foods and quirks to little daily preferences.
This year, they are hosting their 49th foreign exchange student, Enrico Bonfiglio, a junior from Italy, and their 50th, Noel Nehlich, a junior from Germany. 
With Wright being an Orchestra teacher, Nehlich was very enthusiastic about this opportunity since he is a string player himself.
He approached his host family with confidence, and after exchanging some information, he felt more at ease.
Learning that he was their 50th hosted student reassured him- he knew he was joining an experienced family where he could also work on his cello skills.
“I’m so happy,” Nehlich said. “I thank God that he sent me into this wonderful family.”
This milestone has given Wright, along with the two students he’s currently hosting, the opportunity to speak at the FLAG exchange student conference.
Flag International brings out 600 students to Washington D.C., for a legally required conference. This event provides essential information to help ensure a successful year for the students.
Wright was invited this year to offer advice from both a teacher and parent perspective, drawing on his 25 years of experience.
Wright shared that he and his wife have found success as host parents by demonstrating Christian virtues and embodying God’s love in their daily lives, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for their students.
¨I think I´ve mellowed out a lot more¨ Wright says ¨The first couple of years of hosting, we were o
verly protective, overly watchful of the students.¨
What started as a one-time favor blossomed into a lifelong commitment to hosting and making students feel at home from all corners of the globe.
“While it has not put a penny in my pocket, it has made my heart more open,” Wright said.
