Meet Our Students

Konstantin lives with his mother, whom he is very close to. When she is not traveling for work, they are spending all their time together. Music is his biggest interest and he would like to become a drummer. Basketball is his favorite sport. Reading is also extremely important to him. Konstantin works out regularly and follows a strict 3 day split in the gym. In the future, he wants to learn HTML and become a web designer. He has owned several fish and dogs, and he enjoys going to the pet rescue to help feed the animals. "I would like to see how life is in a different state, I want to know the difference between cultures, and as a biproduct gain more knowledge about the outside world."

I am a FLEX Scholarship recipient, and the oldest child in my family. My family consists of my parents and two younger sisters. As a family, we enjoy traveling together, particularly to natural landscapes. It allows us to bond and appreciate nature. I live in a small town with a rich history and beautiful landscapes, which inspired my interest in street photography. I love capturing the essence of my hometown through the lens of my dad’s old camera, rather than a phone. I am looking forward to improving my skills and capturing unique American landscapes. At school, I have a passion for music and play a traditional instrument called the rubob. In the future, I hope to learn guitar. I love playing volleyball and chess with my friends. I am excited about this experience and hope it will give me a new outlook on career paths and help me to discover my true passion.

Abykai is looking forward to his program year in the US with his new Host Family. In his country, he attends a boarding school and goes home on the weekends to visit his family, so he is very excited to see what it is like in an American school and then go home every day to be with his American family.  He loves to cook various foods in his free time and is looking forward to sharing some traditional dishes with his new family. Abykai enjoys going to the movies, taking hikes in nature and exploring.  One of his hobbies is clay modeling.  He enjoys math, history and photography. Abykai also likes to volunteer by working as a guide. He plays basketball and soccer with his friends at school and hopes to be able to do that in his American school. He cannot wait to share his culture and his homeland with you.

Albin is an easy-going individual whose friends often describe him as independent and determined. Embracing the unexpected for its potential to bring pleasant surprises, Albin enjoys a spontaneous approach to life. Residing with his parents, brother, and a beloved cat, Albin has a passion for sports, having played football for 11 years, badminton for 2 years, and tennis for 5 years. His enthusiasm for physical activity extends to cycling and running. Aspiring to become a sports reporter, he is eager to blend his love for athletics and personal knowledge. Albin's zest for life also includes a passion for travel and cultural exploration. His family once hosted a student from the Faroe Islands, an experience that sparked his interest in becoming an exchange student himself. He is particularly excited about the opportunity to study in the USA, as he anticipates the cultural differences between America and Europe. Additionally, he sees this as a prime opportunity to improve his English skills. Albin looks forward to experiencing life beyond Europe and hopes these words encourage you to welcome him into your home, promising a shared journey filled with discovery and joy!

Amirlan lives with his parents and younger brother. He enjoys traveling, talking, laughing, playing games, and singing with his family. His chores at home are dusting, running the robot vacuum, and putting everything back in order. He is creative and always full of energy. Amirlan loves dancing, singing, acting and decorating the house for holidays. His hobbies include baking different treats, taking photos, filming mini-videos, skiing and paintball. In the future, he wants to be an engineer in the oil and gas industry. "From this program, I expect to gain new experiences in American culture. I'm also eager to share my culture with you, cook various delicious dishes, and teach you how to play the dombra."

I am looking forward to meeting my host family. My parents are divorced, but I am fortunate and have two sets of parents that love me. I have multiple pets at my mom’s house, where I primarily live. There is one dog at my dad’s home, where I visit twice a month on the weekend. I enjoy talking to my parents each evening, over a cup of tea. I am the oldest child and have four siblings, two from my dad and two from my mom. I enjoy participating in different kinds of sports, such as boxing, tennis, and football. I like philosophy and watching movies, especially cult films by Hitchcock, Kubrick, Capra, Tarkovsky, Lynch, and more. I am a fan of reading books from European philosophers. I am a music lover, listening to a variety of music and playing video games with my friends. Recently, I have found myself in a difficult position deciding what my future job will be related to. I am hopeful that experiencing this program, a new environment, meeting new people, and learning about different cultures will help me to figure this out. I am looking forward to enjoying a cup of tea with you while we are learning about each other.

Meet Erik from Estonia. This active student has been studying Thai boxing for six years. He’s focused on fitness and enjoys going to the gym four days per week. On Saturdays, you’ll find him at art school, practicing his manga and anime skills. In his free time, he plays board games with his family or goes to the cinema. Count him in for a relaxing night of movies and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! His parents have been teaching him how to cook, and he’s happy to make you something delicious beforehand. Winter is a special time of year for him. He enjoys skiing, building snowmen, and especially Christmas! In the summer, he helps his father on his construction sites. Erik is excited to start his exchange year and try something new. “I truly hope to be an exchange student so I can spend an amazing year with you as my new family!”

*Scholarship Recipient* Sociable Fadil, lives with his parents, older sister, and younger sister. Together, they enjoy going to the park to exercise, going to the mall, or swimming. Fadil's main hobby is cycling. "I usually cycle twice a week. I often do it with my friends on weekends. We usually go around the city from edge to edge." Fadil also likes karate, and was quite involved, competing in karate championships, prior to Covid. Since then, he only trains during extracurricular activities. With his friends, Fadil likes to go to the movies, play sports and games, or just discuss their favorite soccer matches. "I aspire to become a lecturer or have a career in education. I have a dream to make education in my country better." Fadil appreciates your willingness to welcome him to into your home!

Oybek is a FLEX Scholarship student from Uzbekistan! He describes himself as an extrovert who enjoys football and debate. He established a Debate Club, where he practices public speaking and improvisation, and he co-founded the SpeakEasy Club to improve English and public speaking skills. He also serves as an IELTS Mock Speaking Examiner, helping others practice their speaking abilities. His friends describe him as extroverted, energetic, goal-oriented, and a good conversationalist. When he gathers with friends, they play football or board games, or if the weather is nice, they stroll in the park and talk about their lives. Oybek enjoys building close relationships and strives to be approachable and open-minded. "In the future, I want to study economics and business management, aiming to become a CEO or open my own business. I believe this exchange program will help me develop leadership skills and give me new perspectives I can apply to my career. I'm also excited to share my culture by cooking traditional Uzbek dishes and discussing my country's history and customs."

Benni is a friendly, open-minded, and active teen excited to experience American life! He loves basketball, acting, and spending time with his family—including his twin brother, dog Zora, and cat. He also enjoys breakdancing, snowboarding, and earned his lifeguard certification last year. At home in East Germany, Benni attends a rigorous school and lives with his doctor dad and psychotherapist mom. He’s eager to improve his English, make new friends, and join a host family for a life-changing adventure in the U.S. He's helpful, social, and always up for a good laugh!