cultural experiences
HOLIDAYSwith theHomestay
H
I
OMESTAY IN GEVGELIJA
By Jenny Upton - MAK 17
t’s been over a year now since I first moved in with my homestay family. My homestay family consists of
Vale, a 49-year-old single mother, her teenage daughter Sara (pictured below), and her college-aged
son Bruno. When I first visited my current family, I was nervous because my homestay mom is a smoker
and works at my work site. I would see her every day either at home or at work. My teenage sister wanted
to know right away if it was okay with me to have house parties with her friends. We all looked at each
other, a little concerned, wondering what the next two years would be like. I worried about the future. I
had just left my “Majka Sunchi and Tatko Zoran” in Kratovo, where I had had an AMAZING homestay
experience, and I didn’t know what to expect. The first two months in my homestay were interesting.
We were polite to each other and joked occasionally I decided to spend Christmas and New Year’s with
fellow Peace Corps volunteers. I rushed back to Kratovo to spend Orthodox Christmas because it felt
familiar. I did not make a connection with my homestay family. I was overwhelmed with work and my
new life in Gevgelija, and did not have
time to let a new family in.
In February I reached a turning
point. I finally felt settled in at site.
I opened myself up to my family. I
became vulnerable. I shared parts of
my life and they did the same. Our
conversations transitioned to dinners
with the family, Rakija and coffee
with neighbors, late night hugs, and
laughter until tears were rolling down
our cheeks. The term homestay
mother became Mamo and I loved it.
My relationship with my host family
is filled with hilarious adventures.
Vale is one of my closest confidants.
She is someone I can turn to if I ever
need anything. She is intelligent,
thoughtful, brave, and funny. It’s
great to have someone to turn to for life advice.
In the past year, we’ve attended weddings and celebrated Macedonian and American holidays. I
really appreciate Vale. I tried to organize a surprise birthday party, the result I can only describe as “a
comedy of errors.” Because of my connection with my new family, I have rarely felt homesick. Be it a
Macedonian or American holiday, both of my families are usually Skyping and celebrating with each
other. To celebrate our one year anniversary, I took my family out for dinner at one of Gevgelija’s local
restaurants. We reminisced about how great the year had been (including hilarious stories), and talked
about how difficult it will be for me to leave. It’s hard to believe that these people have only recently
become such an integral part of my life. My homestay family has connected me with members of the
community, helped me integrate, and have accepted me as a member of their family. I’m truly blessed.
18 – Pauza Magazine