Meet Our Students

Franziska, or Franzi, is a friendly and open-minded student from eastern Germany who loves both the energy of the city and the calm of the countryside. She has a deep passion for music, having played the transverse flute for nine years, and she enjoys how it connects people. Swimming is another major part of her life—she has trained for years and now coaches young children, something she finds both fun and meaningful. Outside of her main hobbies, Franzi enjoys being active outdoors, skiing in winter, and doing creative activities like baking. She hopes to come to America to experience everyday life in a U.S. family, celebrate American traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving, explore new foods and activities, improve her English, and grow more independent while building lasting connections.

Anais is from a small town in France. She is very close with her family, and the best time of day is when they eat together around the table and talk about their day. Anais is very open-minded and curious. She loves meeting people and discovering new things. She has a love for languages, which is her favorite subject in school. She learns French, English, and Spanish. Anais hopes to improve her English during this exchange and become fluent in English. She likes musical comedies and movies of all kinds. Anais would love to discover American high school, the yellow school bus, the mascot, prom, and even go to a football or basketball game and see the cheerleaders. She is a young lady who has many ambitions and goals and even if she fails, she will never give up. Anais will do her very best to adapt and become a helpful member of your family.

I am open‑minded, respectful, curious, and calm. I laugh easily and enjoy being around people with a good sense of humor. As a dedicated student at a large high school, I make friends easily, though I prefer small groups and close connections. In my free time, I enjoy running, swimming, and exploring art through reading, drawing, and painting. I also love video games, music, and Studio Ghibli films. Passionate about fairness, I dream of becoming a lawyer one day. I’m excited to experience American traditions like Thanksgiving, Halloween, and hockey games, and I look forward to building lasting connections with my host family and community.

Rebecca is a warm, curious, and spirited student who’s eager to embrace new experiences and build meaningful connections during her exchange year. With a deep love for science—especially chemistry—she dreams of helping others through research and discovery. She’s a longtime volleyball player, a passionate cook, and a creative soul who enjoys music, hairstyling, and spending time outdoors. Rebecca thrives in social settings, easily makes friends, and brings a joyful, can-do attitude to everything she does. Her gratitude, humor, and openness make her a delightful addition to any host family.

For more info, check out my Dear Host Family Letter!

Aurora is from northern Italy and attends a linguistic high school. She is described as sweet, kind, calm, sensitive, and responsible. She has a close and supportive family, including her parents and her younger sister, who is also her best friend. Dance is a very important part of her life: she practices classical and modern dance and sees it as a way to express herself and relax. She is also deeply involved in scouts, volunteering, church activities, and amateur theater. Aurora enjoys cooking, walking in nature, drawing, and painting, and she dreams of working in the fashion world or becoming a tour guide. She wants to become an exchange student in the USA to improve her English, overcome her shyness, grow personally, and experience a new culture while sharing Italian traditions.

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.

My name is Giulia, and I hope to be your future Italian exchange student! I live in northeast Italy with my parents and older brother. I love discovering new cultures and recently spent two weeks in the UK with a host family, which made me even more excited to spend a full year abroad. I chose the U.S. because I admire the culture, traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving, and the school system with its many activities. In my free time, I enjoy volleyball, skiing in the Dolomites, and summer water sports like windsurfing. My biggest passion is music—I’ve played piano since I was seven and especially love Chopin, even though I usually listen to Italian rap. I also enjoy movies, shopping with friends, and sharing traditions with my family, like cheering for Ferrari races or watching basketball with my dad. I’d love to share a piece of my culture with you, especially by cooking Italian dishes like carbonara. I would describe myself as curious, enthusiastic, and ready for new experiences, and I can’t wait to create memories together!

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.