Meet Our Students

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.

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.

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.

Luca is an open-minded, active, and positive student who is excited to experience life in a new culture and become part of a host family. He enjoys meeting new people, building meaningful connections, and bringing humor and good energy into every environment. Adaptable and respectful, Luca approaches new challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. A passionate soccer player and fan, Luca loves the teamwork, discipline, and excitement the sport brings. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, walking his dog, listening to music, traveling, and being active during vacations through activities like skiing and snorkeling. Family and friendships are very important to him, and he values spending quality time with the people closest to him. Luca hopes his exchange year will help him grow more independent, improve his language skills, and broaden his perspective by experiencing a different school system and culture. He looks forward to creating unforgettable memories, sharing experiences with his host family, and contributing positive energy to their home.

Arstanbek comes from a close-knit family of four, including his parents and younger brother. Growing up in a bilingual household has helped them develop adaptability, strong communication skills, and an appreciation for different cultures. His mother works in tourism, inspiring a love of travel and exploration, while his father is an entrepreneur. Family is very important to him, and he enjoys helping at home and spending time together. An excellent student, Arstanbek has attended a specialized boarding school since 2022. He is highly involved in school life, participating in multiple academic and project-based activities, including environmental, robotics, and technology-related programs. His dedication, curiosity, and strong work ethic have helped them thrive both academically and socially. In his free time, Arstanbek enjoys reading, spending time with friends, exploring their city, and learning new things. He is especially interested in engineering and hopes to pursue a career that allows him to create solutions that improve people's lives. As an exchange student, Arstanbek is excited to immerse himself in American culture, learn about community involvement and volunteerism, and participate in new activities such as football, baseball, and school clubs. He looks forward to sharing his own culture and traditions while building meaningful relationships with his host family, school, and community.

Jean lives with his parents, two brothers, sister and dog. He was born in the Caribbean and lived there for the first seven years of his life. He is a practicing Catholic and goes to church every Sunday. In his free time, Jean likes to play tennis, running, swimming, and cycling. He has been involved in scouting for several years. His friends and family often say that he brings energy and joy to the people around him. 

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.

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.

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.