Omg, it’s happening! She’s coming!!!

[Bernadine]

Our foreign exchange student is coming! No details yet on when exactly, but everything has been approved!

I want to put together a little welcome basket, and also get some toiletries together for her. Mostly travel size, until I can take her out to get her what she wants.

What should I get for a 17yo girl?

[just]

Where is she coming from? Do you know what race she is or if her skin or hair will need specialist products?

[Bernadine]

Aug 19, 2021 18:17:46 GMT -5 just said:

Where is she coming from? Do you know what race she is or if her skin or hair will need specialist products?

Coming from Italy. From her pictures, she looks Caucasian, straight hair.

[VillainV]

Maybe some fun sheet masks. Hand/body lotion. I wouldn’t go too crazy because she may bring a lot of her own stuff, and there may be scents she likes and doesn’t like.

[just]

This is kind of left-field, but when I first visited the US this was as source of stress for me ....Applicator tampons are much less common in Europe, so if you were going to add tampons to a basket, I'd include some OBs too to give her a choice

[letsgetweird]

That's so exciting! I've thought about hosting myself. Did you go through a company that provides you with any compensation or are costs such as meals covered by you?

[sofamonkey]

So exciting!! I second the ob tampons. I’d add generic things people forget to pack or might get lost too, just to have.

As for personalized - Maybe a cozy package for your house? A bathrobe, a towel set of her own for her hair and body, a fun plant for her room (that doesn’t need a ton of care), fun sheets, a blanket for the couch/around the house (it’s probably going to be a lot colder than she’s used to), and maybe some nail polishes in fun colors, plus the other stuff that needs to go with.

[Bernadine]

Aug 19, 2021 18:46:10 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

That's so exciting! I've thought about hosting myself. Did you go through a company that provides you with any compensation or are costs such as meals covered by you?

No compensation, just a small tax break. We cover all meals, she is supposed to cover everything else- clothes, spending money, etc.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Ooh yeah like the hair towels and a matching bath wrap like they sell at Target. And maybe a coffee mug or a water bottle.

[imojoebunny]

Having a picky eater, I would include some biscuits (crackers & cookies), nuts (assuming not allergic), and other treats/food, like kind or other bars, she can eat when she is hungry, without having to ask, as she gets accustomed to your home. Feminine products can be hard for teens to ask for, so I would definitely have a few pads and tampons, but also, have her look for that when you go to the store, without hovering. Body wash, razor, shampoo and conditioner, sunscreen, if that is a necessary thing where you are. We are in the south, and when I went to Italy as a teen, sunscreen wasn't needed, as much there, like it is here. I would have a water bottle of some sort, so she doesn't have to leave her room to stay hydrated. Some teens that age drink coffee, so if you don't, consider having some kind of caffeinated drink on hand. I don't drink caffeine often, but I have visitors for whom it is important. I hope you enjoy the experience of having a visiting teen. I have one of my own, who is lovely to be with.

[doctoranda]

Maybe also info on things to do in the area? I have that standard in our guest room but our foreign student really liked reading those. She was also really into American candy and brought candy for us from Japan.

[tacokick]

Yay! I’m so excited for you! I’d get some fun stuff like masks and nail polish and basics like soap/shower gel and wash cloths too. I bet anything would seem interesting and different just because it’s from here. Maybe a magazine? Are magazines still a thing? Something low key to read?

[ssmjlm]

Yay! I agree with most of the above suggestions since I have no 17yo girl experience.

[georgeglass]

Does the school where she's going have a buddy for her? It might be nice to have something planned with someone her age.