Meet Our Students

Ferdi is a friendly, active, and outgoing 15-year-old who is excited to experience life in the United States as an exchange student. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, whether that’s skiing, watching movies, playing football, or exploring the city together. Ferdi is passionate about staying active and trains regularly in boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, calisthenics, and fitness. He is also a dedicated guitarist who has played for eight years and has performed in competitions and concerts. At school, Ferdi especially enjoys History and Religious Education because he likes learning about different perspectives and cultures. He describes himself as open-minded, funny, responsible, and curious, and he adapts quickly to new situations. Ferdi looks forward to improving his English, experiencing American culture, trying new foods, and creating unforgettable memories with his future host family.

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'm a calm person and often described as funny. I enjoy the simple things in life, and observing the world around me. Sport is a big part of my life. I've done so many different ones, tennis, boxing, dance, synchronized swimming, and basketball! Right now, I do synchronized swimming, which I love because it mixes music, movement, and teamwork. I'd love to try American sports I've never experienced before, like cheerleading or lacrosse because they look exciting and full of energy! I'm really curious to discover life in the US and I want to experience all the new things that make life there unique. I love getting out of my comfort zone! In my free time, I enjoy reading (especially fantasy books) and thinking deeply about life and the world. At home, I live with my mom and we have two cats, some chickens, and I used to have a rabbit when I was younger. At school, my favorite subjects are math, physics, and economics. What makes me the most excited about this exchange year is the idea of facing new things, learning how to adapt, and growing from it. I believe that kindness, honesty, and time can create real connections.

Meet 18-year-old French student Ilona who has dreamed of being an exchange student since she was 13. Family is very important to her and she lives with her mother, step-father and brother. She loves simple moments with her family like playing board games, talking, laughing and watching movies along with an evening talking with friends. Her friends describe her as sunny, kind, generous, caring and always willing to help She is passionate about reading, especially romance novels, and loves to travel. Recently she had the opportunity to travel to Slovenia for a one-week school exchange. She chose the USA for her exchange year, because the country has always fascinated her, she wants to improve her English and to step out of her comfort zone in a new environment. Ilona is excited to go to prom, choose a fun class in high school, try new activities such as cheerleading or track & field, carve a Halloween pumpkin, see an American football game and celebrate Thanksgiving.

Mathilde is a French student who is social, positive, and friendly and brings a lot of good energy into any environment. She loves laughing, connecting with others, and creating light, enjoyable moments, but she also knows when to take things seriously — especially when it comes to school, sports, and personal goals. Adaptable and curious, she loves discovering new places and feels genuinely excited about the growth and learning that come with an exchange year. Sports play a big role in their life. Running and strength training help her stay balanced, focused, and confident. At home, she lives with their parents and her energetic nine‑year‑old sister, and their dog, Rainbow. Family routines — like talking during dinner or weekend walks — are meaningful to them and shape their idea of what makes a home feel warm and connected. Mathilde hopes to share similar everyday moments with her host family.

Luca is an open-minded, active, and positive student who is excited to experience life in a new culture and become part of a host family. He enjoys meeting new people, building meaningful connections, and bringing humor and good energy into every environment. Adaptable and respectful, Luca approaches new challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. A passionate soccer player and fan, Luca loves the teamwork, discipline, and excitement the sport brings. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, walking his dog, listening to music, traveling, and being active during vacations through activities like skiing and snorkeling. Family and friendships are very important to him, and he values spending quality time with the people closest to him. Luca hopes his exchange year will help him grow more independent, improve his language skills, and broaden his perspective by experiencing a different school system and culture. He looks forward to creating unforgettable memories, sharing experiences with his host family, and contributing positive energy to their home.

Javier is a 16-year-old exchange student from Spain who is eager to experience life in the United States. He describes himself as polite, responsible, sociable, and empathetic, with a strong motivation to achieve his goals and try new things. Javier enjoys meeting people from different cultures and adapting to new environments. He is very active and sporty, with a passion for soccer, padel, and fitness. In his free time, he also enjoys playing video games and spending time with friends. Javier has previous experience as an exchange student, having studied in Ireland and England multiple times, which has helped him become independent and adaptable. Academically, he is particularly interested in economics, history, and English, and he hopes to pursue a future in business and marketing. Javier speaks Spanish and Valencian fluently, has a strong level of English (B2 certified), and some knowledge of French. He values family highly and enjoys spending time with his parents, whether relaxing at home or going out together. Although he does not have pets, he loves dogs and hopes to have one in the future. He doesn't have any brothers or sisters; however he likes young kids and sharing time with them. Javier is excited about the opportunity to live with a host family, immerse himself in American culture, and build meaningful connections while sharing his own culture in return.

I really like the sea and surfing. Through my surf experiences, I became interested in environmental issues, especially marine pollution. Then, I began beach cleanups three times a week when I was in junior high school. I see myself as a proactive and responsible person. I like doing exercise and having fun playing sports, but I'm honestly not any good at ball games. I would like to learn about American culture and traditions, as well as the environmental consciousness of American people. With my family and friends, we enjoy going to the beach or hiking on weekends. At the moment, I am practicing cooking easy Japanese dishes for you! I will try my best to improve my English and communication skills. In the future, I hope to be a person who can thrive internationally.

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.