Meet Our Students

Demna is excited about an exchange program in America. He describes himself as calm, tolerant, kind, motivated and a hard-working person. He enjoys meeting new people and making new connections. Demna loves basketball, which has helped him make friends and focus on self-improvement. He also enjoys playing the guitar at family gatherings and exploring books and podcasts. Drawn to the U.S. for its culture and educational opportunities, he hopes to create lasting memories and pursue his dream of becoming a professional athlete, with an interest in finance. "I would like to experience life with you, to share our interests, traditions, spend time together and create wonderful memories."

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.

Wan is a very outgoing, friendly, and strong-minded person who enjoys making new friends and connecting with people. He believes that kindness and a good attitude can make a big difference in life. One of his biggest passions is scientific research, particularly in engineering and environmental science. Wan comes from a very close knit family that values love, support, and spending time together. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports like soccer, badminton and table tennis. One of his personal goals is to step out of his comfort zone and learn to be more independent. Wan is very adaptable and easygoing and genuinely enjoys meeting new people and learning from them. His hope is to build a great relationship with you and embrace every opportunity possible.

Dejana is a warm, thoughtful individual who cherishes quality time with her family and enjoys hosting gatherings that bring people together. Whether it's watching movies, walking their dog by the river, cooking, or traveling with her mother, she values shared experiences deeply. An animal lover with a creative spirit, Dejana is passionate about art, often drawing flora and fauna, and has a keen interest in Victorian history. Her love for literature is evident in her admiration for authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky and Edgar Allan Poe. Music is her source of peace, she enjoys exploring different genres and singing along. With three close friends, she finds joy in simple pleasures like mall outings or wandering town to photograph the sky, animals, and charming buildings. Dejana aspires to become a lawyer, driven by a strong sense of justice and a dream of one day studying at Harvard Law. She views herself standing in a courtroom and fighting for what is right as one of her greatest future accomplishments. Through her exchange experience, she hopes to form lifelong friendships and embrace new opportunities, perhaps even trying cheerleading, knowing this journey will be unforgettable for both her and her host family.

Teodor (pronounced Theodore) lives in a small town with his parents and younger brother. When they are able to leave, they like to travel out of their small town and explore and experience new things. Teodor likes to bike ride, cook, and travel to see new places. He is fascinated by medicine and would like to learn more about it. Teodor enjoys nature and being outdoors but has never owned a pet. As a future exchange student, Teodor looks forward to the opportunity to experience another culture, learn how other countries deal with different roles in life, and gain new life experiences. Teodor thanks you in advance for your consideration in opening your hearts and home to him.

Meet Aylin from Turkmenistan! She lives with her aunt and sometimes gets to see her mom, who lives in a different city, and her dad lives in another country, but she talks to both her parents often. Aylin wants to be a doctor because she loves helping people. She even volunteers at a humanitarian organization. Aylin is super friendly and can make friends with everyone. She loves spending time with her two best friends. Plus, she loves baking sweets with others. Aylin is also an animal lover and likes both cats and dogs. She is very excited to learn about the culture here and share her own culture, country, and yummy food. Hosting Aylin will be a great experience full of fun and learning for everyone!

Aleksander "Olek" is an active and well-rounded individual who values meaningful time with his family, often spent playing card games or enjoying the outdoors together. Whether it’s a casual afternoon in the backyard or an adventurous family outing, he finds joy in those shared moments. With a strong love for travel, Olek enjoys discovering new places and experiencing different cultures. He's passionate about staying active—riding his bike, playing tennis, skiing down snowy slopes, or sailing across the water. He also enjoys hiking and swimming, always seeking ways to connect with nature and challenge himself physically. Beyond his adventurous side, Olek is dedicated to giving back through volunteering and finds fulfillment in supporting his community. He also has a creative streak and plays guitar, using music as a way to relax and express himself. With a balanced mix of curiosity, energy, and compassion, Olek embraces life with enthusiasm and an open heart, always ready for his next adventure.

In our family, we are 9 people. My father, mother, four sisters, two brothers, and me. On the weekends, we sometimes go to picnics or to my grandparent's home. I am interested in reading in English books and traveling. I have many friends, and love to have lunch with them because it will be a happy moment, and we smile, sing and joke. My city is not big, but it has many interesting and historical places. In our city, we have a museum, concert hall, cinema, and also a park. I like to go to the park with my family and my friends. In this exchange program, I want to understand the culture, values, and diversity of American people, and exchange it with Tajik people. I want to demonstrate to Tajik parents that the girls also can study and can develop their knowledge.

Thomas is an adventurous and curious boy who is eager to embrace new experiences during his exchange year. With a passion for sports, he excels in badminton and is diligently improving his basketball skills. Recently, he embarked on a musical journey by learning the handpan, inspired by the serene music in the video game Minecraft. Initially, he thought playing the handpan would be simple, but he soon discovered the complexity and beauty in mastering its unique sound. Beyond his musical and athletic pursuits, Thomas has a keen interest in space exploration and is excited about an opportunity to witness the Formosa program through a live stream at the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA). His compassionate nature is evident in his volunteer work with the homeless at Taipei's main station, where he has gained valuable insights and empathy. Grateful for the warmth and hospitality shown to him, Thomas is excited to be welcomed into new homes and treated like family.

Lena is from a small city where she lives with her parents and little sister. Her family is her biggest support and she spends a lot of time with them. Lena has an interested in history and geography. She also has an interested in writing and one day would like to write a book. Lena is a very calm person who never gives up on anything. She has a very positive energy and can put people at ease. Her dream is to come to America and learn the culture and people and teach her culture to us. Lena's favorite quote is "The world is wide, get to know it."