Meet Our Students

Ethan is a kind-hearted and thoughtful boy from Thailand. Known by his friends as the “gentle giant,” he’s admired for his caring nature and quiet strength. He comes from a close-knit, supportive family and cherishes time spent with them, especially enjoying spicy Thai dishes made by his grandma. Ethan is passionate about basketball and plays as a main team member at school, where he also shines in academics, particularly in English and Business Studies. He’s musically talented, playing guitar in his school band, and enjoys anime, gaming, and exploring different cultures. Ethan is excited to join a host family, share his Thai heritage, and build meaningful connections through this exchange experience.

Chiara is an energetic, creative, and curious girl who comes from a close-knit family in the Italian countryside. She plays piano and guitar, loves sports like aerial dance and hiking, and is passionate about music, fashion, and writing. At school, Chiara is known for being kind, mature, and helpful, and she’s active in her church youth group and summer camps. Chiara enjoys baking, thrillers, concerts, and crafting with friends. Whether skiing, swimming, or exploring new places, she embraces adventure and connection. Chiara is excited to join a host family and take the first step toward her dream of discovering the world.

Elli is a warm, talkative, and humorous girl from Germany who loves spending time with her family, friends, and her Dalmatian, Dante. She is open-minded, honest, and always eager to try new things—even if they seem challenging at first. Elli enjoys traveling and has already visited 13 countries, which sparked her curiosity about American culture. She is passionate about school subjects like chemistry, biology, and geography, and plays tennis to relax and have fun. In her free time, Elli loves reading romance and fantasy novels, taking photos of sunsets, and sharing laughs with friends. She looks forward to improving her English, experiencing American traditions like Thanksgiving and Halloween, and building lifelong friendships during her exchange year.

Manuel is a remarkably open-minded, curious, respectful, kind, and optimistic individual who is deeply fascinated by the American way of life. He is extremely active in calisthenics and would love to join an American sport like football. Family is of utmost importance to him, and spending quality time together is vital; he enjoys cooking and assists with household chores. Music is another passion, and singing is something Manuel truly enjoys. His aspiration is not just to be a guest in your home but to become a genuine part of your family and live his childhood dream which is the American dream.

Liza from France is always up for an adventure! She loves to stay active because sports make her feel happy and full of energy. She is a member of a track and field team after school and also swims and plays basketball and volleyball. She loves track so much she started coaching younger athletes! This opportunity also gives her a chance to inspire and encourage kids, which is a field that she hopes to work in one day. Her family inspires her through their dedication, hard work and sense of responsibility. Liza is looking forward to challenging herself to adapt to the American lifestyle, living with an American family and sharing is special moments and memories! Whether it's enjoying music, sports, animals or anything else, Liza will bring her positive spirit to the day's adventures.

Melina is a cheerful and adventurous girl from a small village in the south of France, where she enjoys a close-knit community and a lively family life. She loves outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, and canyoning—interests she shares with her dad—and also enjoys dancing, cooking delicious treats like crepes and cookies, and spending cozy afternoons with her beloved cat. Melina is excited to come to America because she has always dreamed of discovering new cultures, improving her English, and becoming more independent. She hopes to build meaningful connections, share her French traditions, and experience life in a whole new way during her exchange year.

Faustine is a friendly, curious, and enthusiastic young lady from France who has always loved the American spirit. Her dream has always been to spend a year in an American high school, to experience the culture, practice her English, and share everyday life with a host family. Fuastine has enjoyed swimming since she was very little and also did synchronized swimming. She loves trying new sports and activities and would like to try golf. She also has a love for music; she played the piano for a few years and would like to learn guitar. Faustine is very curious about everything from news to sports, traveling, and family. Her hopes are to share a little bit of her French culture with your family and learn about your family's traditions.

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."

Lucia lives with her parents, sister and cat. With her mom, she enjoys walking outside and going to the gym three times a week and to do weights, stretching, and other exercises together. Her time with her dad is spent watching soccer, either on TV or at a stadium, and they also enjoy learning about new cultures, meeting new people and visiting lots of places together. Lucia loves shopping, doing make up, singing and dancing with her sister. She loves animals and has always wanted a pet of her own. Her cat is a recent addition to the family that she is over the moon about. Lucia's favorite animal is horses, she has been riding for eight years, including show jumping. She has also played volleyball in the past. She really enjoys sports and being active. In the future, Lucia hopes to be a psychologist.