Meet Our Students

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 really like the sea and surfing. Through my surf experiences, I became interested in environmental issues, especially marine pollution. Then, I began beach cleanups three times a week when I was in junior high school. I see myself as a proactive and responsible person. I like doing exercise and having fun playing sports, but I'm honestly not any good at ball games. I would like to learn about American culture and traditions, as well as the environmental consciousness of American people. With my family and friends, we enjoy going to the beach or hiking on weekends. At the moment, I am practicing cooking easy Japanese dishes for you! I will try my best to improve my English and communication skills. In the future, I hope to be a person who can thrive internationally.

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. 

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.

Quinn is a warm hearted, adventurous boy who loves sports, and spending time with friends and family. He plays bandy—a unique Swedish ice sport that challenges him mentally and physically—and enjoys watching soccer with his dad and brother. Having traveled to many countries and fallen in love with exploring new cultures, Quinn is eager to come to America to experience daily life in a new environment, discover more about himself, and gain clarity about his future after school. His curiosity, love of learning, and desire for personal growth make this exchange year especially meaningful for him.

I am a really active and sporty person, I'd probably do any physical activity that looks fun to me. I am a very positive person, and I'd say that I am very communicative and sociable. I love being in the company of people, because I don't feel like myself when no one is around. Throughout the whole year I play basketball, and I enjoy playing soccer during the summer months! Sometimes I work as a Lego ambassador, where I stand next to a stand and promote new toys or smile at people that come around. I like working jobs because it makes me feel important and I like to help people with something I know about. I am so excited to be an exchange student and live for a year with an American family! I want to meet new people, make some new friends, and experience US holidays that we don't celebrate in the Czech Republic, like Halloween and Thanksgiving! I really want to see the school's sport events such as Basketball and American football Friday night games. I can't wait to experience that American Dream everybody has been telling me about!

Artjom is a motivated and curious exchange student from Estonia who comes from a close-knit and supportive family. Growing up in a small town surrounded by nature, he has developed an appreciation for both the outdoors and meaningful connections with others. He enjoys spending time with his family, staying active, and exploring his interests. A dedicated athlete, Artjom has been rowing for over five years, often training alongside his father. He also enjoys music, movies, and learning about different cultures. His travels across Europe have sparked a strong interest in global perspectives and languages—he already speaks three and is eager to learn more. Academically driven, Artjom hopes to pursue a future in the IT field by studying at a university and building a successful career. Through his exchange experience, he is excited to learn about American culture, gain independence, and grow into a responsible and open-minded individual.

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.

With a love for adventure and a naturally positive spirit, Janai is excited to experience life as part of an American family. She comes from the south of France and a close-knit, creative household, where she’s been surrounded by art, music, and diverse perspectives. Janai enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and traveling, and she brings a fun, easygoing personality with a great sense of humor. She values connection, loves spending time with others, and is both caring and responsible. Eager to grow and explore, Janai is looking forward to improving her English, experiencing American culture, and truly becoming part of your family.