My 19 year old son found a summer job in Leiden for 6 weeks. The problem is he wouldn’t be earning enough to pay for a place. So what did I do? My forever lifesaver, I searched in home exchange website and found 20 homes. It is not a lot of choice considering the probability of finding a perfect fit for the dates and the number of guestpoints.
Dutch are known to be one of the kindest people on earth. And they did not disappoint. I sent messages to all 20 homes. Most didn’t have a spot due to the date and length of time since we need 6 full weeks. But a lot were willing to ask their neighbors who are not in home exchange for a room. Everybody was worried for my son who would be alone in Leiden. It was a group effort to find a home for my son. I didn’t feel alone. A real spirit of homeexchanging.
Peter (1968791) was one of them. It was their first exchange but his whole family opened their home and welcomed my son. My son lived with them for 6 weeks in exchange for guestpoints. He didn’t even want me to give points at all at first since my son would be living with them and not have the whole home to himself but I insisted. Peter found a second hand bike for my son to use during his stay for his independence. Their eldest son who lives in Amsterdam invited my son on his bday party in Amsterdam like another family member.
Peter and his family, his wife, his daughter who still lives with them and his son in Amsterdam visited my son several times in the restaurant working and took pictures of him to share with me and my husband my son’s first job experience. On weekends, my son joins Peter’s family to drive to the sea to enjoy a drink. My son shared meals with Peter’s family whenever he’s not in the restaurant. My son forgot a few things in Peter’s home after leaving and Peter had everything sent without any cost and hassle.
My son had an unforgettable homestay with Peter and his family. Our family would be forever grateful.
3 Likes