Meet Our Students

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

Meet Pietro from Italy! He is a soccer player; he plays right wing because he is pretty fast. He enjoys running; he did his first half marathon a few months ago. Pietro has taken up boxing and has enjoyed practicing at that. His dream is to become an important person in the world. His friends and family would describe him as active, curious and very sociable and loves meeting new people. Pietro also has many other hobbies like playing chess, reading books (especially in English so he can improve his skills) and programming. Sometimes he likes to cook and learn new recipes, so he cannot wait to share his favorite Pizza Time with his new Host Family! Pietro looks forward to meeting you and making lifelong memories.

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!

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.

Ines lives with her parents and older brother, who she enjoys playing board games with. She enjoys going to the gym and for walks, and hopes to try sports in America. Ines is looking forward to seeing her first high school football game. In her free time, she likes reading, learning English, and listening to music. She loves animals and has a dog of her own. Ines loves meeting new people and learning about different cultures. "I can’t wait to share this experience with you, I always wanted to do this because I feel like it's a lifetime experience and I don't want to have regret later by not doing my biggest dream."

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.

I have been practicing judo in competition for several years; I really appreciate the discipline and the respect that this sport requires. I also go regularly to the gym. I have tried other sports, such as sailing on different boats on my city’s lake and sometimes at the ocean, as well as parkour (a sport similar to gymnastics indoors) and track and field. I am confident that thanks to my open and sociable personality, I will be able to make new friends quickly in the United States, with whom I will share great moments and create new memories. I also like spending time discovering new things by myself, and I enjoy cooking. My favorite dishes are raclette and gratin dauphinois, and I hope to share them with you. I also love playing games, especially strategy games, for example, I really enjoy playing chess! I am very eager to discover American traditions and specialties, whether through food, celebrations, or everyday life. I am curious to understand your habits and customs and to take part in them fully. In return, I would be happy to share some French traditions with you and introduce you to my culture. Whether through cooking, language, or simple conversations, I would like this year to also be an opportunity for you to travel a little through what I will share.

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."

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.

Clementine lives with her parents, big sister, and cat. According to her family, she is spontaneous, empathetic and has a good heart. Clementine is smiling most of the time and is a very sociable, kind and sensitive person. During her free time, she enjoys reading, music, board games, and shopping with her friends. She is fond of animals, horses, dogs, cats, and rabbits. Clementine has taken horseback riding and dance classes. She has also studied at a hospitality and catering school, where she learned how to cook many things and really enjoyed the experience. If you have children, she would be very happy to have a host sister or brother, either younger than her or around her age, to spend time with. "This is a unique opportunity that only happens once in a lifetime, and I can’t miss it, as it will give me the chance to create unforgettable memories with my host family and at school."