Meet Our Students

I come from a large family that I adore and love very much! I have a rabbit that my family and I adore. He's very furry and small, beige in color, and he's already four years old! My father also has a tiny white dog; he's so cute. I consider these pets to be a big part of my life; I love them so much. I love playing volleyball, especially with my friends on our school's team! I also love to read, especially young adult romance novels. I love them because they let me disconnect and imagine new stories, but I like fantasy, horror, and mystery as well! When I grow up, I'd love to be a judge and study law. Sometimes I think about all the little new things I'm going to discover with you: from trying typical snacks from the local supermarket to learning how you organize your daily life, your schedules, and your customs. I hope we can build a close relationship and create memories together that we will cherish forever. It would be a true honor to become part of your family and embark on this adventure with you!

Raphael is a friendly and motivated high school student from southwest France, who is excited to experience life in the United States. He comes from a close-knit family and enjoys spending time with relatives, friends, and his dog. Active and adventurous, Raphael is passionate about sports, especially competitive karting, snowboarding, and water sports—which have taught him discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. At school, he studies a wide range of subjects and is especially motivated to improve his English through full immersion. Organized, responsible, and independent, he helps at home and values being an active part of family life. Raphael describes himself as open-minded, respectful, and adaptable, with a positive attitude toward new challenges. He looks forward to sharing French culture, participating in American traditions, and building meaningful connections with his host family while growing personally and academically during his exchange year.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Elisa dreams of becoming a flight attendant because she loves to travel, especially by airplane. This northern Italian girl is an only child who connects with her mom through shopping, and with her dad by playing video games. She loves that they are so supportive of her dream of an exchange year! Elisa has 2 cats and a turtle that she cares for at home. She has many activities that she enjoys but reading and listening to music are two of her favorites! She enjoys going to book fairs and concerts when she can. Elisa is excited to share her knowledge of Italian cooking and baking with her host family. One of her favorite dishes to make is Tiramisu! She is looking forward to taking different classes, improving her English, and trying a new way of life with her host family!

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.

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!