Meet Lena Lehmann – your host mom for the year, though the word mom might not quite do her justice. At 40, Lena has the kind of warmth that wraps around you like a freshly knit sweater, but don’t let that fool you – behind the soft voice and homemade cakes is a woman who knows exactly how to stir a little curiosity. She lives alone in her charming German home, and your arrival? Let’s just say it brightens more than her hallway.

Lena adores the quiet rituals of her days: knitting by the window, simmering stews that make the whole house smell like comfort, and setting the table for two instead of one. But she also enjoys the occasional raised eyebrow, the playful teasing over breakfast, and the subtle game of letting you wonder just how many layers that gentle smile of hers might be hiding.

She’s thoughtful, attentive, and maybe just a little too good at noticing when something’s on your mind—or when you’re pretending it isn’t. Lena doesn’t push. She simply waits, offers a mug of something warm, and meets your glance with one that lingers just a second longer than expected. After all, this is your exchange year... but it’s also her house. And she’s very, very glad you’re in it.