Meet Our Students

Alberto is a student from a small town in northwest Italy who attends a scientific high school with a sports focus. His program combines academics with sports-related studies, including economics and law of sports, and five hours of physical activity each week. He enjoys his classes, has a good relationship with his classmates, and likes spending time with friends after school. Alberto hopes to study in the United States because he is curious about new cultures, experiences, and sports. He sees this opportunity as a way to grow personally, improve his English, and become more independent. Having already completed a one-month exchange in France, he feels prepared to live away from home and embrace new challenges. Family is very important to Alberto. He lives with his parents, two brothers, and his dog, Frisky, an 8-year-old golden retriever. He loves animals and enjoys walking his dog, visiting his grandparents, traveling, hiking, and cooking with his family. Sports play a major role in Alberto’s life. He learned to ski at age three and enjoys skiing with his family and friends. He has played soccer and basketball and continues to go to the gym regularly. While in the U.S., he hopes to play basketball or soccer again or try new sports. Alberto is excited to learn about American culture, share his daily life with a host family, and build meaningful relationships during his exchange year.

Darwin describes himself as kind and positive. He lives with his mother and grandmother who support him in everything that he does; especially his education and sports. Darwin says that his home is filled with laughter and good food. One of the biggest parts of his life is basketball which makes him feel strong, focused and happy and he hopes to play in the US. He also enjoys relaxing moments, listening to music, spending time with friends and trying new foods. He chose to be an exchange student so he can grow as a person, learn about American culture, and understand life in another part of the world. By living with a host family, he believes that it is the best and most authentic way to experience this. Darwin hopes that his exchange year will be unforgettable for himself and his host family.

Julien is an active student from France who is currently studying management and law at his high school. Alongside his studies, Julien enjoys working out, swimming, bowling, and more. Recently, he has started to make his own music! He enjoys making beats that people can dance to. Julien and his family have one cat, Neko, which means cat in Japanese. Julien decided to spend a year in the USA because he wants to become more independent and improve his English, while also wanting to discover something completely different. While he knows it won't always be easy, he is ready for the challenge. He is excited to live something unique, meet new people, and create memories that will stay with him for life.

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.

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.

Nicola is a friendly, energetic, and adventurous student from Italy who is excited to experience life in the United States. He enjoys staying active and has participated in several sports, including soccer, tennis, and swimming, but his greatest passion is volleyball. Through sports, Nicola has developed strong teamwork skills, discipline, and resilience. Outside of athletics, Nicola enjoys listening to music, cooking, and spending time with friends exploring new places and experiences. He also previously played guitar and remains interested in music. As a longtime member of the Scouts, Nicola has learned responsibility, leadership, resourcefulness, and how to work effectively with others. Nicola is no stranger to helping at home and is happy to assist with cooking, cleaning, and household tasks. He also spends time volunteering at children's summer camps, where he helps organize activities and mentor younger children. These experiences have helped him develop patience, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills. While Nicola is still exploring what he would like to pursue in the future, he views his exchange year as an opportunity for personal growth, cultural exchange, and self-discovery. He is eager to learn about American culture, make new friends, and become part of a host family while sharing Italian traditions, food, and experiences. Nicola brings enthusiasm, kindness, maturity, and a positive attitude, making him an excellent addition to any host family.

Yanis is excited to spend a year in the United States as an exchange student. Curious, sociable, and full of energy, he enjoys meeting new people, building connections, and trying new experiences. He is both creative and adaptable, comfortable in group settings as well as quieter moments. At home, Yanis is close with his older brother and sister and helps his family with daily responsibilities, showing his sense of responsibility and teamwork. In school, he especially enjoys history and English, with a strong interest in improving his language skills and becoming bilingual. He has been studying English for five years and is motivated to keep growing. Yanis plays tennis, his favorite sport, and spends his free time watching movies and series, listening to music, and working on creative projects. He appreciates music that tells a story and connects emotionally. Looking ahead, Yanis hopes to pursue a career in international marketing, where strong communication skills and cultural understanding will be important. Although he feels a bit nervous about being far from his family, he is ready to fully embrace this experience. He is especially looking forward to becoming part of a host family, sharing everyday life, and creating meaningful memories during what he hopes will be an unforgettable year.

Luis is responsible, outgoing, and enthusiastic with a deep passion for learning, sports, and connecting with others. His interests range from boxing, skiing, and surfing, to music, cooking, and exploring personal growth. Inspired by his love for working with young children, he hopes to become a primary school teacher one day. Luis wants to come to America not only to improve his English, but also to experience a new culture, challenge himself in a different academic environment, and become part of a family with whom he can share traditions, build meaningful relationships, and grow personally. He sees this exchange as a chance to step outside of his comfort zone and discover more about the world and himself.

Soleane is a thoughtful, kind, and curious student from France who is excited to experience life in the United States. While she may seem a little quiet when you first meet her, she enjoys building meaningful relationships, spending time with friends, and sharing plenty of laughter. She has a fun sense of humor and loves deep conversations just as much as silly ones! An active and adventurous student, Soleane has participated in a wide variety of sports, including tennis, boxing, dance, swimming, basketball, athletics, and synchronized swimming, which is her current passion. She is especially excited to try American sports like cheerleading or lacrosse during her exchange year. Academically, Soleane enjoys math, physics, and economics because she loves solving problems and understanding how things work. She also enjoys reading fantasy novels, recently participated in a reading competition, and even served on a student jury to select a winning book. In her free time, she likes listening to music, drawing, shopping with family and friends, relaxing with a good TV series, and spending time with the people she loves. At home, Soleane helps with everyday household chores and enjoys caring for her family's pets, which include two cats and several chickens. She values responsibility, teamwork, and contributing to family life. With her positive attitude, curiosity, and willingness to embrace new experiences, Soléane is sure to be a wonderful addition to her host family and school community.