Meet Our Students

Zafarbek, also known as Zack, is a bright and ambitious student from a close-knit community in Uzbekistan. He cherishes the warmth and support of his hometown and enjoys activities such as volunteering, playing volleyball, and music, particularly pop. Zack is eager to step out of his comfort zone and embrace new experiences, which is why he wants to participate in an exchange program in the U.S. He is enthusiastic about learning American culture firsthand, trying activities like horseback riding and learning piano, and creating lasting memories. Ultimately, Zack aims to pursue business management at a top U.S. university to develop skills for making a positive global impact.

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.

Raphael is truly thankful for the chance to be welcomed into your home. He’s excited to experience life in the United States and looks forward to getting to know you, your community, and your way of life. He comes from a big, loving family that includes twin sisters and two younger foster siblings, who joined them about a year and a half ago. At home, he’s also got a small, affectionate dog named Popcorn, who is energetic and ready to snuggle. Basketball is one of Raphael’s favorite activities. He’s been playing for a well-known club in his hometown for several seasons and hopes to join a high school team in the U.S. to continue improving his skills. He also enjoys drawing, especially fantasy and manga-style characters, which helps him unwind and express his creativity. Another passion of his is music; he plays the drums and loves the energy and freedom it brings. More recently, Raphael has gotten into flying drones, combining his interest in technology with his love of nature. He describes himself as curious, open-minded, and eager to learn about new cultures and meet new people. That curiosity is what inspired him to become an exchange student. Raphael is especially interested in experiencing American culture and school life. Raphael hopes this exchange will lead to lasting memories and a bond with your family that continues well beyond his stay.

Anna is an energetic and lively exchange student, always eager to meet new people and make lasting connections. With a younger sister back home, Anna understands the value of family and enjoys the sense of togetherness that comes from bonding with others. Sociable and approachable, Anna has a natural ability to strike up conversations. A true lover of movement and expression, Anna is passionate about dancing and gymnastics, often spending time practicing different routines or exploring new styles. Her love for creativity also extends to her involvement in the drawing club, where she brings her artistic vision to life with every sketch. Music plays a huge role in Anna’s life, and she is drawn to a wide variety of genres, such as pop, rap, and jazz. Positive, enthusiastic, and always sporting a bright smile, Anna is known for her generous and caring nature. When not dancing, drawing, or chatting with new friends, you’ll find her immersed in a good book or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Anna is joyous, making every day a little brighter for everyone she meets.

Giovanni is a curious and enthusiastic boy from Northern Italy, passionate about music, especially Rap and Hip-Hop, which is one of his main reasons for wanting to experience life in the USA, the birthplace of this culture. He is excited to immerse himself in a new environment and broaden his cultural horizons, as well as improve his English. Giovanni is an open-minded individual, eager to discover more about American sports and culture, and is looking forward to contributing positively to his host family by sharing his Italian culture, including cooking traditional dishes like "carbonara" or "amatriciana." Becoming an exchange student represents a personal and cultural growth opportunity that he believes will help him learn new things about himself and explore new academic subjects during his stay.

I am 16 years old and a 10th grade student. I have one brother and sister and my mother and father in my family. I love to learn cooking. My mother has taught me how to cook chicken karahi, it is a Pakistani dish, I also know how to make pasta and potato balls. I can also make sandwiches and pizza bread. I have an interest in swimming but there is no class for it in my city. I have a group of 5 friends including me, they are so sweet and supportive that's why I consider them my best friends. We eat together, play together, we also help each other in studying, we all are interested in creative writing so we do write stories together on the same topic and read it to each other. I have an interest in computer science and want to study computer engineering. I own a cat and have a large space for animals in my heart so I want to open an animal shelter for every street animal so that they can get food and a home. My brother is a special needs child and cannot walk so it has made me eager to open a special children's school later in life.

Mohinur is excited to introduce herself to her future American host family. She comes from a small family consisting of her parents and sister. Her father works abroad as a driver, while her mother is a deputy director at the school where both she and her sister study. They enjoy spending time together cooking, shopping, and having deep discussions. Mohinur has a wide range of interests, including psychology, meeting people from different backgrounds, and writing for her blog. She loves nature and enjoys spending time in forests. At school, she has many friends and enjoys playing volleyball and participating in cultural events like cooking pilaf together in spring. Mohinur aspires to become a psychologist to help people with mental challenges. She also enjoys singing national songs and once attended music school. During her stay in the U.S., she is eager to try local food while sharing her own cooking. She is passionate about nature photography and dreams of buying a camera in the future. Mohinur is excited to meet her host family and looks forward to new experiences and cultural exchange.

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.

I am a Ukrainian student living with my mother in a lively city. My father, who is at war, and my older brother, who lives elsewhere, often visit for family time. I love boxing, which teaches me discipline, and I'm passionate about reading philosophy, history, and law. I enjoy Ghibli films and discussing them at cinema club with friends. Chess and tutoring are also favorite activities. My city blends history and modernity, fueling my interest in social sciences. I'm eager to experience American culture and embrace values of freedom and democracy to contribute positively to my country. I look forward to connecting and sharing cultures with you.

Alvin will be a junior during his exchange year. He is a thoughtful and quiet student who values peaceful environments and meaningful conversations. His calm personality reflects the strong family bonds he shares back home—his family enjoys spending quality time together, especially when visiting his grandmother in the countryside to walk in nature and relax. Alvin has a deep curiosity for the world around him. He’s especially passionate about astronomy, historical films, and storytelling. Crime shows captivate him, and he enjoys unraveling mysteries and exploring different perspectives. He would love to join a drama or writing club during his exchange year, as he enjoys expressing himself through stories and performance. In his free time, Alvin enjoys visiting parks, museums, and local landmarks to learn more about his surroundings. He’s excited to explore American culture—its people, values, and landscapes—and looks forward to meeting others who are open to sharing ideas and experiences. At the same time, Alvin is proud of his Estonian roots and would love to share his traditions, stories, and favorite foods with those around him.