Meet Our Students

Tatana loves to dance and listen to music with her family. She describes herself as funny and friendly. Her favorite subjects in school are History, English, Czech, German and Biology. She is a street dancer and plays drums and electric guitar. Tatana enjoys reading and hopes to write her own book one day. She does a lot of volunteering; she is currently planning a big charity event to raise money for her local hospice. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Tatana is working at a restaurant right now to help become more financially independent. In the future, she would like to study law and become a politician that will somehow change the world.

Anaelle is full of energy, curiosity, and warmth, with a deep love for cultural exchange and adventure. She is passionate about music, outdoor activities, and trying new things—from skiing and hiking to paddleboarding and zip-lining. Anaelle and her family are big fans of amusement parks. They live close to Disneyland Paris and go there quite often, but she also loves thrill rides in other parks nearby. Though she may be shy at first, she quickly becomes friendly, talkative, and eager to connect. Anaelle is academically driven, socially engaged, and excited to share her French culture while embracing everyday American life with enthusiasm and heart. "I'm really excited to meet you, explore new experiences, and enjoy every moment of this adventure. I’m thrilled to create lots of happy memories together."

Markuss enjoys staying active, creative, and involved in his community. He lives with his mom, and they share a close bond, often spending time together going out, watching movies, or playing games. At home, Markuss is responsible and independent, helping with chores and taking care of his own space. He has a strong interest in sports and fitness, regularly playing volleyball and going to the gym to stay in good physical and mental shape. In his free time, he enjoys exploring new interests, especially photography, where he captures moments ranging from nature to everyday life, preserving memories he can look back on in the future. At school, Markuss is an active participant in student life and enjoys contributing to events organized by the student council. He finds it rewarding to help create experiences that bring people together and make others happy. Social and outgoing, Markuss has a close-knit group of friends with whom he spends much of his time, whether hanging out outdoors, playing video games, or going to the local lake during warmer days. Growing up in a smaller city has taught him to appreciate simple moments and strong friendships. Looking ahead, Markuss is interested in pursuing a career in engineering, particularly in the automotive field, though he remains open to exploring different paths. He is excited about the opportunity to join an exchange program, experience a new culture firsthand, and become part of a host family while creating meaningful memories and connections.

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.

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!

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.

Katie is easygoing, warm, and known for her bright smile—especially in awkward moments. Katie loves animals (especially dogs and cats), warm weather, and spending time at the beach, where she’s happiest relaxing in the sun with ice cream in hand. While she’s adventurous and open-minded, she’ll admit she has one big fear: spiders! In her free time, Katie enjoys watching movies, shopping at the mall, exploring new places, and hanging out with friends. She is always eager to try new activities and looks forward to participating in family traditions, school events, and anything new her host family enjoys doing together. Family and friendships are very important to Katie. She values the strong support system she has at home, especially her parents, who have taught her independence, patience, and resilience. Through her exchange experience, Katie hopes to grow more independent, adapt to a new culture, and gain meaningful life experiences. She is deeply grateful to host families who open their homes and hearts and is excited to learn about American culture, daily life, and family traditions while becoming a part of her host family.

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!

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.