Meet Our Students

Meet 16-year-old French student Mael who lives in a small village with his father, mother, older brother and cat. Mael is close to his family and they often play board games, pool, and darts and he enjoys activities with his friends. He is currently in the 10th grade and would like to become an architect in the future. His friends and family describe him as nice, respectful, open-minded, funny, generous, clever, friendly and easy to live with. Mael enjoys walking and cycling with his active family along with playing soccer, basketball, table tennis and practicing judo. Beside playing sports, he enjoys music, cooking and traveling. He did a two-week cultural exchange to Panama and his family hosted an exchange student in 2021. While in the US he wants to immerse himself in an American family to discover American life and culture.

Cindy is a warm, thoughtful, and family-oriented student from Taiwan who would bring genuine connection and positivity into any host home. Raised in a close-knit family that values communication and time together, she naturally seeks meaningful relationships and looks forward to becoming an active part of her host family’s daily life—whether that’s sharing meals, helping around the house, or participating in family traditions. Cindy is well-rounded and driven, with a strong passion for music as a longtime member of her school’s Chinese orchestra, where she plays the bamboo flute. Music is not only her talent but also her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. In addition, Cindy is an accomplished swimmer with years of training and competition experience, showing both discipline and commitment. She has grown into a confident, outgoing, and resilient young woman who embraces challenges as opportunities for growth. Her dream of becoming a diplomat reflects her curiosity about the world and her desire to build cross-cultural understanding. Cindy is eager to fully immerse herself in American culture, improve her English, and contribute positively to her school and community.

Meet Arstenbek from Kyrgyzstan. He is a serious student with a fun side! He is excited to learn about American culture and wants to try baseball and American football. He enjoys hobbies like chess, Monopoly, and table tennis. He is a recipient of the prestigious FLEX scholarship for students that have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. He spends weekdays at a boarding school where he is engaged in several interesting projects called GreenLand, Bilimbot, Olimpfund and Olimplearn. He describes the boarding school as an opportunity that he is extremely grateful to be a part of where he is learning cleanliness and respect for elders along with academic subjects. On weekends he is home with his family which includes his mother, father and ten-year-old brother. Helping out at home when he is there is very important to Arstanbek, he cleans, cooks and grocery shops for his family. He is also very passionate about his culture; he plays a traditional instrument called the Chopo-Chor. He also acknowledges what an amazing act of kindness hosting a student is and will truly appreciate this opportunity to its fullest.

Sem is a bright, creative, and adventurous 16-year-old from the Netherlands who is excited to experience life in the United States as an exchange student. A dedicated straight-A student, Sem enjoys learning both academically and through new life experiences. Currently attending a theatre-focused school with a filmmaking program, Sem has a passion for storytelling, creativity, and the arts. Open-minded, social, and caring, Sem loves connecting with people and learning about different cultures and perspectives. Alongside creative interests like filmmaking, museums, and theatre, Sem also enjoys cozy activities such as baking, puzzling, journaling, and listening to music. Eager to fully embrace American culture, Sem is looking forward to traditions like Homecoming, Thanksgiving, football games, and prom, while also hoping to try activities such as hockey, drama, cooking, or pottery. Family is very important to Sem, and she is excited to become part of a new host family, create meaningful memories, and share Dutch culture along the way.

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.

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.

Natan is a responsible, respectful, and family-oriented individual from Germany who values strong relationships and meaningful experiences. Growing up in a close-knit household with parents and a younger sibling, he is used to contributing to daily routines and understand the importance of communication, cooperation, and mutual respect within a family. An active and disciplined person, Natan has a strong passion for sports, including Muay Thai, calisthenics, and wrestling. Physical activity plays an important role in his life, not only for health but also as a way to connect with others and build friendships. He is also open to exploring new hobbies and activities during his exchange year. Natan's Catholic faith is an important part of his identity, shaping his values of responsibility, kindness, and respect for others. At the same time, he is open-minded and appreciative of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Natan enjoys a simple and healthy lifestyle, values time spent in nature and has a fondness for animals. While he has specific food preferences, he is independent and willing to take responsibility for his own needs. Described as reliable, adaptable, and considerate, Natan is ready to become a positive and supportive member of a host family while embracing personal growth, independence, and new opportunities throughout his exchange year.

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.

I have two parents and a little sister. We are very close and are always there for each other. We live in an apartment building, and we do lots of activities together. For instance, me and my dad go swimming every week at our local pool as a recreational activity, even in wintertime. During summer, we go on a lot of bike rides, particularly in the mountains where we have the best time. We also play a lot of ping pong. With my mother and sister, we often walk around town and discuss various topics or play badminton at our local park. Through the years, I have developed many passions and interests. First off, I really love geography. This subject is deeply rooted in me and I always strive to excel at it by going to national competitions and participating in various online courses. At the same time, I enjoy reading books. I particularly enjoy reading about scientific discoveries, expeditions, and historical events. My main plans for the future are to graduate high school and continue my studies in the field of Earth Science, whether in my home country, or abroad. I want to help and cooperate with people to find solutions to problems affecting our planet like climate change and biodiversity loss. I would also want to volunteer more and support campaigns and events that help protect our community.