Meet Our Students

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.

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.

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!

From northwestern France, Emmy is pleasant and poised and looking forward to creating incredible memories with her host family. Not one to fall into routine, Emmy enjoys the special moments that are often experienced during new adventures. Her family is very important to her, and she enjoys celebrating festive events like birthdays and Christmas with laughter and a meal. A passionate person, Emmy enjoys sports like handball, cheering on her favorite teams, baking, exploring new places, and animals! When it's finally time to relax, Emmy sits down with a good book or a movie, and of course, listens to her favorite music every day! Emmy is looking forward to becoming a true member of her American host family with a strong bond lasting well beyond her exchange year.

Margaux lives with her mother and younger sister but also enjoys her visits with her father. She has been studying dance since she was 5 and this brings her joy. Margaux describes herself as open-minded, interested in what is happening in the world, very empathetic and a good listener. Family celebrations are precious to her and she enjoys doing simple activities with her family, like going for walks, baking, watching movies and playing games. Her passion for discovery is what pushed her to be an exchange student. She expects to grow, mature, learn about herself and life along with improving her English. Living in the US will enable her to learn about the country’s culture, experience holidays, attend American football games and create memories with her host family.

Elsa is a creative and thoughtful student who is both calm and warm once she feels comfortable. She has a strong passion for drawing, especially cartoons, and enjoys expressing herself through art. An active and motivated person, she has played volleyball for four years and values teamwork and personal improvement. Elsa prefers cozy moments such as movie nights, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends over loud social events. Curious about the world, she is eager to discover new cultures and is particularly fascinated by American traditions and holidays. Kind, open-minded, and enthusiastic about learning, Elsa looks forward to meaningful cultural exchange and new experiences.

Neo is excited to experience life in the United States. He describes himself as open-minded, calm, and helpful, and values being respectful, reliable, and supportive in family life. Close with his parents, brother, and family cat, Neo appreciates strong relationships and enjoys spending time with the people around him. In his free time, Neo enjoys playing the guitar, listening to music, and spending time outdoors. He recently started playing basketball and enjoys trying new activities and learning through new experiences. Friends are an important part of his life, and he loves spending time together after school, whether walking around the city or simply relaxing and talking. Neo is eager to improve his English by fully immersing himself in American culture and everyday life. He is especially looking forward to experiencing American high school, making new friends, and becoming part of a host family’s routines and traditions. Neo hopes to share his own German culture as well, including food, traditions, and stories about life in Germany. He is excited for the opportunity to grow more independent, confident, and open-minded during his exchange year.

Elona is excited to spend a year in the United States and experience American culture firsthand. She lives with her parents and older brother, with whom she shares a close relationship. Open-minded, curious, and sociable, Elona loves meeting new people and trying new experiences. Music is one of the biggest parts of Elona’s life. She has been playing music for six years and enjoys playing the alto and tenor saxophone. Recently, she began learning soprano saxophone and studying orchestral conducting at her local conservatory. Along with music, Elona is very athletic. She has played regional-level soccer for six years and previously competed in tennis at a high level. She enjoys staying active and participating in many different sports. Family is very important to Elona, and she enjoys spending quality time together playing board games, listening to music, and sharing everyday activities. She is responsible and helpful at home, often assisting with chores, cooking, and babysitting for neighborhood children. These experiences have taught her patience, adaptability, and how much she enjoys caring for kids. Elona loves traveling, learning languages, and discovering new cultures. She has studied English for many years and has participated in language immersion trips that increased her passion for living abroad. She is eager to become part of an American family, share traditions, and create unforgettable memories during her exchange year.

I'm a really sporty girl, I enjoy running, climbing, doing Pilates, and wakeboarding just to name a few! Climbing is my favorite sport, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I'm a really curious person and I like to discover new things like new cultures, new sports, or new activities...I can't wait to discover your passions and practice them with you! In the future, I would like to be part of the scientist police and work on crime scenes. I want to bring justice to a victim's family, and I think this would be good for me because I like to solve puzzles and be observant. I have a cat called Groot, just like in Guardians of the Galaxy! She's very friendly and always hungry. I'm looking forward to meeting you and starting this adventure!