Last year for International Convention in Dallas, I took the opportunity to host a few international teens for Global Ambassadors Week. Little did I know the impact hosting these girls would have on me; I was able to create new sisters for life, inseparable bonds, and thousands of new memories.

Originally, I had requested to host some girls I had already met over the summer at ILTC, but I ended up being assigned three girls from three different countries I had never met before. I knew this was going to be an amazing week since none of us knew each other, but our instant connections were incredible. While getting to know each other in the car on the way home from the airport, we of course started off shy and timid, but shared a pizza and several laughs by the end of our first night together. The next day was a school day for me, and I was sad to be in school and not be able to spend the day with my new best friends while they were at their sightseeing and international group activities around Dallas. I was so excited to leave school that day and celebrate Shabbat that evening with the girls along with another family. The next day, Saturday, we all had the day off from programming, school, and work and spent the day exploring Dallas. We spent the entire day adventuring at famous Dallas sites such as NorthPark mall, Deep Ellum, and the Design District downtown. It was so exciting taking these girls around my hometown and seeing the excitement and joy on their faces.

Fast forward to convention time! I was so upset to end my week hosting the girls, but fortunately, I spent the whole weekend again with them along with all of BBYO. This was my first and last in-person international convention, so being able to host these girls made it a special experience. I really loved walking around during the convention weekend and seeing my new sisters.

If you are given the opportunity to host teens for International Convention week, 100% take it and run with it because it is the most amazing experience! We still keep in close contact on Snapchat, text, and FaceTime, and hope to see each other in person sometime soon in the near future!