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.

I love spending time with my family, and we love discovering new places together! We also spend a lot of time with my grandparents, whether its going shopping or having lunch together. I have total trust in my grand-mother, and she is real confidant with good advice. I love sports, such as weight lifting, surfing, running, skiing, and hiking! I like nature and being surrounded by green trees and the ocean. I love animals, I have a cat named Cookie who is really sweet. I probably get the desire to study abroad from my mom. She was an Aupair in the US when she was my age. She often speaks about her experience and becoming her host family's 'French daughter'. I am very excited to learn the American culture, and to an experience holidays like Halloween! I would also love to share my French traditions with my host family, to learn and transmit our culture and knowledge, like cooking. Above all, this is a human experience. The experience of a lifetime--I want to create a link for life with my host family, and maybe that one day they will meet my future children. I am looking forward to meeting you!

Yanis is excited to spend a year in the United States as an exchange student. Curious, sociable, and full of energy, he enjoys meeting new people, building connections, and trying new experiences. He is both creative and adaptable, comfortable in group settings as well as quieter moments. At home, Yanis is close with his older brother and sister and helps his family with daily responsibilities, showing his sense of responsibility and teamwork. In school, he especially enjoys history and English, with a strong interest in improving his language skills and becoming bilingual. He has been studying English for five years and is motivated to keep growing. Yanis plays tennis, his favorite sport, and spends his free time watching movies and series, listening to music, and working on creative projects. He appreciates music that tells a story and connects emotionally. Looking ahead, Yanis hopes to pursue a career in international marketing, where strong communication skills and cultural understanding will be important. Although he feels a bit nervous about being far from his family, he is ready to fully embrace this experience. He is especially looking forward to becoming part of a host family, sharing everyday life, and creating meaningful memories during what he hopes will be an unforgettable year.

Javier "JJ" loves aviation and dreams of becoming an air traffic controller. His grandfather, who is an aerospace engineer, has taught him so much about aviation even taking him to air shows! A good student, JJ appreciates his math teacher especially, as he says the teacher is willing to take the time to make sure the students really understand the lessons. In his free time, he loves participating in sports, especially basketball, which is his favorite. In the summer, he goes to camp with classmates from school and during the holidays, he travels to the country with his extended family. JJ is so excited to practice his English in his new community and get to know his host family!

Hi, my name is Pano—at least, that’s what everyone calls me. I come from a family that has shaped me in meaningful ways. My parents are divorced, so I’ve grown up balancing two different lifestyles. During the week, I live with my mother in the city, where I’ve learned to be responsible and independent, often helping out at home and taking care of everyday tasks. I share a close bond with my sister—we spend a lot of time together, whether it’s talking for hours or going on walks. My mother also plays an important role in my life, encouraging my creativity and supporting my interests. On the weekends, I stay with my father in a small village. Life there is quieter and more traditional, and it has taught me to appreciate simplicity and community. I enjoy spending time with my dad doing activities like sports, games, or just having thoughtful conversations. Through him, I’ve developed an openness to new experiences and perspectives. I’m also close to his partner, who has become an important figure in my life. Living between these two environments has helped me become adaptable, responsible, and open-minded. While I’m not someone who seeks large groups, I value deep, genuine connections and enjoy getting to know people one-on-one. My best friend has had a strong influence on me, encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things. Overall, I believe that who we are is deeply shaped by the people around us. My experiences with family, friendship, and community have helped me grow into someone who values connection, understanding, and personal growth—qualities I look forward to sharing during my exchange experience.

I'm truly happy and excited to write this letter to my future host family! The idea of spending a year abroad, discovering a new culture, becoming part of a new family, and growing through this unique experience is something that fills me with joy, curiosity, and gratitude. I spend a lot of time with my family and extended family, especially during holidays and family events. These moments – full of laughter, storytelling, and home-cooked meals – are incredibly important to me. I have been playing volleyball for several years, and I absolutely love it! It has taught me resilience, dedication, and teamwork. I also love art, specifically architecture! If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’m a positive, respectful, curious, and determined person. I love learning, listening, discovering new things, and contributing to the world around me. I’m genuinely excited to begin this new adventure, to become part of your family, to experience your culture and your way of life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing to open your home and your life to me.

Marieta is a warm, curious, and optimistic girl from the sunny mountains of Armenia, and is excited about starting a new adventure with a family like yours. She describes herself as someone who finds beauty in everyday moments and keeps a positive spirit even during hard times. She lives in a small, nature-filled city where people are kind and close-knit. Marieta enjoys spending time with her parents, little brother, grandmother, and dog, Fitty. She proudly takes part in daily chores and especially cherishes her bond with her grandma. Marieta loves painting, cooking, dancing, hiking, and building friendships. Looking ahead, she dreams of becoming a social worker and marketing specialist, using kindness and connection to help others. Marieta's heart is filled with excitement about joining your family, creating meaningful memories together, and sharing her sunny energy with you.

Hi! You can call me Jimmy. I am very excited to share my Taiwanese culture with you, especially one of my favorite street foods, Large Intestine Noodle! It may sound a little unusual, but it is loved by many people in Taiwan. My favorite festival is the Lunar New Year, because it is the longest holiday of the year. My family and I spend lots of time together and visit relatives, which are always very meaningful moments to me. In terms of sports, my favorite activities are hiking and biking. I like them because they are easy to start and enjoyable. I usually do these activities with my friends, and we have a lot of fun together. I also enjoy playing table tennis and badminton. Recently, I have started watching soccer games and my favorite player is Lionel Messi. My hobbies include programming, watching Japanese anime, playing video games, and riding bikes. I am currently a member of the Computer Software Development Club, where I can learn from others who share similar interests. Joining the exchange student program is a great opportunity to share and exchange cultures with people from different countries. Going to the United States and living in an English-speaking environment will help me improve greatly. I hope to experience life as a local student, enjoy traditional dishes, make new friends, and join a school club. I want to sincerely thank you for considering me and for opening your home to a student from another country.

I live with my parents and my younger sister and brother. We enjoy spending time together, especially when it considers traveling. Every week, we go out of town to camp, fish, and cook shashlyk. In my free time, I love playing football with friends. It is not just a game - it teaches people teamwork and also keeps me active. I also enjoy studying English, listening to new music, watching comedy about different cultures, and fishing, which connects me with nature and gives me energy. I want you to know that I'm open-minded, energetic, and eager to learn something new. I love trying new things and sharing experience with others. Through this program, I want to become a bridge between our countries and cultures. I hope to share interesting aspects of Kazakhstan and help Americans learn more about my home country. Thank you for considering me as part of your family. I cannot wait to meet you and create unforgettable memories together!