Meet Our Students

Lavinia describes herself as rather shy and quiet when meeting new people, but once comfortable, becomes very friendly and open. She is also very independent, helpful, athletic, responsible, and understanding. She helps around the house and loves animals. She is vegetarian but does not have a problem cooking dishes with meat. She has 3 sisters, one younger and one older and one that passed away from cancer. She lives with her younger sister (part-time), dad, and grandma. Lavinia currently attends a small private school where her favorite subjects are sports and math. In her free time, she loves spending time with her horses. She also loves to cook, bake, play board games and play the guitar or keyboard. Lavinia usually goes to church every Sunday but also spends a lot of time there outside just Sundays. She is in the youth group and currently manages the social media account.

Sofia loves sports, especially soccer. She describes herself as friendly, positive, and outgoing. She enjoys meeting new people and building good relationships. She is polite, respectful, and considerate of others, and believes that communication and empathy are essential for living together and creating a comfortable family environment. Sofía has been a member of Red Cross Youth for several years. She regularly helps with clothing and food collection campaigns. She truly enjoys volunteering and feels very committed to helping others. In her free time, Sofia enjoys staying active, spending time with friends and family, and trying new activities. At school, she is part of a class committee that supports classmates who are struggling academically or finding it difficult to stay motivated. She is open to participating in family plans, whether it is sports, trips, celebrations, or simple moments at home.

Going to the United States is a dream come true for me! When I was 5, my father was transferred to Canada for work, so my whole family went with him. I remember this time with great joy that has made me long to return to North America. My favorite season is summer. I adore the heat! I spend half of the summer time in my garden, having get-togethers with friends and barbeques with family, always ending up laughing in the pool. The other half of summer is spent at camp with my friends and at the beach. One of my favorite things is trying new food with flavors I've never imagined before. I also really enjoy spending time with my family, no matter what we are doing! My friends say I'm a super fun person and that I always bring a lot of happiness to people because I'm always in a good mood. I love to joke around and laugh a lot. I enjoy cooking, mainly barbeques with grilled meat, tacos and Mexican food, Spanish omelets, and paella. My favorite sport is soccer, since in my country it's practically a religion! I've played it since I was little, even though I'm not very good. I'd love to learn to play American football because it reminds me of those typical American movies with the yellow buses. I also love mountain biking because I love the adrenaline rush you get on the downhills and the nature that surrounds me. I am really looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing the American culture.

Luis is responsible, outgoing, and enthusiastic with a deep passion for learning, sports, and connecting with others. His interests range from boxing, skiing, and surfing, to music, cooking, and exploring personal growth. Inspired by his love for working with young children, he hopes to become a primary school teacher one day. Luis wants to come to America not only to improve his English, but also to experience a new culture, challenge himself in a different academic environment, and become part of a family with whom he can share traditions, build meaningful relationships, and grow personally. He sees this exchange as a chance to step outside of his comfort zone and discover more about the world and himself.

Quinn is a warm hearted, adventurous boy who loves sports, and spending time with friends and family. He plays bandy—a unique Swedish ice sport that challenges him mentally and physically—and enjoys watching soccer with his dad and brother. Having traveled to many countries and fallen in love with exploring new cultures, Quinn is eager to come to America to experience daily life in a new environment, discover more about himself, and gain clarity about his future after school. His curiosity, love of learning, and desire for personal growth make this exchange year especially meaningful for him.

I am very honored and moved to be writing to you! I consider myself someone who enjoys meeting new people and challenging myself. I come from a large family of 6, and I have 3 brothers! We are very close and enjoy telling stories with each other and laughing a lot. On Sundays, we normally spend the day together as a family and cook a nice lunch. We can spend hours at the table talking, laughing, and debating. I am very sporty and enjoy all kinds of sports, but I especially like athletics. I’m part of the athletics club in my town, where I train for middle-distance running. But I live near the sea, so I have always loved water sports such as sailing, surfing, and swimming. In my free time, I enjoy going to the cinema, walking outside, cooking (especially baking cakes), and trying new recipes. At school, I am a motivated and serious student. I am currently in high school and my favorite subjects are history, maths, science, and English. In the future, I would like to work in the medical field and do medical research. I have always been interested in science and helping others. I think that spending a year abroad will help me become more independent and open-minded, which are important qualities for this kind of career. I really look forward to meeting you and sharing my culture with you! I think it would be an incredible opportunity to live the true American experience, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories.

Lina is known for her positive attitude, friendliness, and sociable personality, and she enjoys meeting new people and discovering different cultures. Growing up near the sea has given her a love for the outdoors, especially spending time at the beach or boating with her family during the summer. Sports are an important part of Lina’s life. She has practiced artistic swimming for nine years and competes at the national level, where her team became Vice Champions of France in 2024. Through this sport she has developed discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Lina is a motivated 10th-grade student who is excited to experience the American high school system and everyday life in the United States. She hopes her exchange year will allow her to improve her English, make meaningful connections, and become a true member of her host family.

Michele is excited to become part of a host family and build a close, open relationship based on sharing and communication. He comes from a loving family and has learned important values such as responsibility, respect, and commitment from his parents. Inspired by his siblings’ positive exchange experiences in the United States, he is eager to grow personally and step out of his comfort zone. Michele's greatest passion is basketball, which he sees not only as a sport, but as a life lesson in teamwork and perseverance. He also loves music, especially singing Italian songs, and enjoys spending time outdoors through walking, biking, and running. Michele describes himself as curious, friendly, and open-minded, with a strong desire to discover new cultures. Through this exchange experience, he hopes to improve his English, make meaningful friendships, and gain a new perspective on life. He wants to bring enthusiasm, respect, and positivity into his host family’s home, help with daily activities, and share Italian culture—especially by cooking pasta alla carbonara. His dream is to continue his studies, travel the world, and become more mature, confident, and independent thanks to this experience.

First of all, I would like to thank you for your welcome this school year, which will allow me to live this incredible experience. I live in the South of France in a small mountain village with my family. We have a dog, Oslo, who is my best friend. If I were to tell you about myself, I would tell you that I love animals, drawing, and the mountains! I also love horses, I have been riding for over 10 years. What I enjoy most is spending time with the horses and concentrating on my technique without thinking about anything else. I have been drawing since I was a little girl and I even took classes in Fine Arts. I would like to go to an interior design school in the future, and help people feel good in their homes. My dream is to try out for the high school cheerleading team. This doesn't exist in French school and is something I have always wanted to do. I can't wait to meet you and to spend this year with you!