Meet Our Students

Aurora is from northern Italy and attends a linguistic high school. She is described as sweet, kind, calm, sensitive, and responsible. She has a close and supportive family, including her parents and her younger sister, who is also her best friend. Dance is a very important part of her life: she practices classical and modern dance and sees it as a way to express herself and relax. She is also deeply involved in scouts, volunteering, church activities, and amateur theater. Aurora enjoys cooking, walking in nature, drawing, and painting, and she dreams of working in the fashion world or becoming a tour guide. She wants to become an exchange student in the USA to improve her English, overcome her shyness, grow personally, and experience a new culture while sharing Italian traditions.

Manuel is a remarkably open-minded, curious, respectful, kind, and optimistic individual who is deeply fascinated by the American way of life. He is extremely active in calisthenics and would love to join an American sport like football. Family is of utmost importance to him, and spending quality time together is vital; he enjoys cooking and assists with household chores. Music is another passion, and singing is something Manuel truly enjoys. His aspiration is not just to be a guest in your home but to become a genuine part of your family and live his childhood dream which is the American dream.

Melina is a cheerful and adventurous girl from a small village in the south of France, where she enjoys a close-knit community and a lively family life. She loves outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, and canyoning—interests she shares with her dad—and also enjoys dancing, cooking delicious treats like crepes and cookies, and spending cozy afternoons with her beloved cat. Melina is excited to come to America because she has always dreamed of discovering new cultures, improving her English, and becoming more independent. She hopes to build meaningful connections, share her French traditions, and experience life in a whole new way during her exchange year.

Liza from France is always up for an adventure! She loves to stay active because sports make her feel happy and full of energy. She is a member of a track and field team after school and also swims and plays basketball and volleyball. She loves track so much she started coaching younger athletes! This opportunity also gives her a chance to inspire and encourage kids, which is a field that she hopes to work in one day. Her family inspires her through their dedication, hard work and sense of responsibility. Liza is looking forward to challenging herself to adapt to the American lifestyle, living with an American family and sharing is special moments and memories! Whether it's enjoying music, sports, animals or anything else, Liza will bring her positive spirit to the day's adventures.

Ethan is a kind-hearted and thoughtful boy from Thailand. Known by his friends as the “gentle giant,” he’s admired for his caring nature and quiet strength. He comes from a close-knit, supportive family and cherishes time spent with them, especially enjoying spicy Thai dishes made by his grandma. Ethan is passionate about basketball and plays as a main team member at school, where he also shines in academics, particularly in English and Business Studies. He’s musically talented, playing guitar in his school band, and enjoys anime, gaming, and exploring different cultures. Ethan is excited to join a host family, share his Thai heritage, and build meaningful connections through this exchange experience.

Faustine is a friendly, curious, and enthusiastic young lady from France who has always loved the American spirit. Her dream has always been to spend a year in an American high school, to experience the culture, practice her English, and share everyday life with a host family. Fuastine has enjoyed swimming since she was very little and also did synchronized swimming. She loves trying new sports and activities and would like to try golf. She also has a love for music; she played the piano for a few years and would like to learn guitar. Faustine is very curious about everything from news to sports, traveling, and family. Her hopes are to share a little bit of her French culture with your family and learn about your family's traditions.

Franziska, or Franzi, is a friendly and open-minded student from eastern Germany who loves both the energy of the city and the calm of the countryside. She has a deep passion for music, having played the transverse flute for nine years, and she enjoys how it connects people. Swimming is another major part of her life—she has trained for years and now coaches young children, something she finds both fun and meaningful. Outside of her main hobbies, Franzi enjoys being active outdoors, skiing in winter, and doing creative activities like baking. She hopes to come to America to experience everyday life in a U.S. family, celebrate American traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving, explore new foods and activities, improve her English, and grow more independent while building lasting connections.

Meet Nina from France! She has practiced modern dance for the past 10 years, and this allowed her to meet new people and participate in competitions. This taught her to manage stress and gain confidence, but she has not been able to do it much lately and it would be great if she was able to participate in a dance program in the US. Nina also enjoys school, her subjects like business management, economics and human resources will help her with her future endeavors. She hopes to join some clubs at school to focus on leadership as well. Her friends would describe her as fun, outgoing, meticulous, and loves to laugh. Nina likes to meet with friends for coffee, celebrate birthdays, go to concerts and watch football games. She wants to continue to discover new things during her exchange year and cannot wait to meet her new host family.

Chiara is an energetic, creative, and curious girl who comes from a close-knit family in the Italian countryside. She plays piano and guitar, loves sports like aerial dance and hiking, and is passionate about music, fashion, and writing. At school, Chiara is known for being kind, mature, and helpful, and she’s active in her church youth group and summer camps. Chiara enjoys baking, thrillers, concerts, and crafting with friends. Whether skiing, swimming, or exploring new places, she embraces adventure and connection. Chiara is excited to join a host family and take the first step toward her dream of discovering the world.