Meet Our Students

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.

My name is Parichehra, and I'm a 17-year-old 11th grader from a loving family of six. I cherish time with my family, filled with picnics, swimming, and laughter. I have many hobbies and love exploring new activities. I enjoy trying new things and discovering different ways to express myself. Looking to the future, I hope to become a business owner. I have a strong interest in fashion and food, and my dream is to open a boutique or restaurant. I want to create a space that reflects my creativity and passion, where people can enjoy unique products and experiences. I am eager to experience American culture, learn about your traditions, and make lasting friendships. I just want to express how thankful I am for the opportunity to be part of your family. I am ready to embrace everything this exchange has to offer - from everyday experiences to new lessons. I look forward to the memories we will create together and the positive changes we will inspire in each other.

Antonia is a very open, friendly, and responsible girl who is ready to face new challenges. Her hope while on exchange is to develop personal and academic skills that can be used in her future. She likes volleyball, swimming, and horseback riding, and has been taking riding lessons for the past 6 years. Antonia sings in the school choir and also teaches herself to play keyboard. She is from a family with 2 younger brothers and her parents, and together they watch TV and play board games on weekends. Antonia is looking forward to the everyday life with her host family. She loves to cook healthy meals and bake cakes. She would like to bake you a raspberry cake to share together. Antonia is anxiously waiting for her new home in the USA.

Mahe lives in a small town, 1 hour from Paris, with his parents, who are both managers in the metro system. He doesn't have any siblings but does have a dog. Mahe is a nice and generous person who usually thinks more about others than himself. He enjoys participating in soccer and boxing, and would love to learn about the sports culture in the United States, especially American football. He also plays piano and loves music. Mahe often travels with his family, and has been to France, Spain, Japan, USA, and Ireland, just to name a few. He would love to learn about American history, try new foods, and improve his English fluency. In return, Mahe wants to share his culture and customs with his host family. He considers himself a respectful, responsible, and adaptable person who wants to experience new things and contribute positively to a new family dynamic.

Ayhan is a friendly and well-regarded teenager with a passion for sports and a love for learning. As a high school student, he juggles his studies with his enthusiasm for basketball and football. Alongside his athletic interests, Ayhan enjoys quieter hobbies like reading and playing the guitar, an instrument he is just beginning to master. Eager to explore new horizons, Ayhan dreams of visiting you to immerse himself in your cultures and traditions. He's particularly fascinated by the differences he's noticed, such as the absence of mandatory school uniforms in many American schools compared to those in Turkmenistan. Ayhan looks forward to sharing insights into Turkmen culture with you. With a warm hug and heartfelt gratitude, he thanks you for welcoming him into your home and life!

Ornella has dreamed of coming to America for 8 years now, and when this opportunity to study abroad arose, she knew that it was meant for her and to make her dream come true. Ornella loves to hang out with her friends, organize girls nights, and raclette nights, which is a dish made with cheese and cold cuts. She is excited to share her French culture with her new host family by making them a French dish or cake. She enjoys to travel and experience new places and cultures. When Ornella gets older, she wants to become a flight attendant in order to mix her passion for traveling with a career. Her favorite thing to enjoy is the natural beauty of a sunrise and sunset, she sometimes will even wake up at 5am to see the sunrise. After reading more about Ornella, she hopes this gives you an idea of what she likes and thanks you for your commitment to open your home and share your culture with exchange students.

This journey, being a part of a host family’s daily lives, and building meaningful connections with them is extremely exciting for me! Attending school in the U.S., meeting diverse people, experiencing traditions, and experiencing world-class educational opportunities makes the USA an ideal place for me to learn and grow academically. I live in a small town with my family, where the community is strong, and the people are always warm and welcoming. My family is busy, but we find time to go on trips, enjoy outdoor activities, and have dinner together on the weekends. Outside of school, I am enthusiastic about traditional Thai dancing and Thai checkers. I won 2nd and 3rd places in a Thai checkers tournament, and I am currently preparing for a national Thai dance competition. I have always had a deep passion for learning and helping others. I dreamed of becoming a doctor from a young age. In my community, seeing people that are unable to receive treatment, due to lack of resources has not only touched me but it has inspired me to pursue this career.

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.

Alim is from a very close-knit family. He has many interests like basketball, soccer, and playing board games with his family, but his biggest interest is coding and creating new projects. He has a love for technology and loves seeing his ideas come to life through programming. Alim is from a small town where they are known for their hospitality and kindness of its people and this has taught him the importance of community and supporting one another. Alim hopes are to gain a deeper understanding of American culture, build new friendships, and improve his English. He is also interested in learning about the traditions, school life, and daily experiences in the USA. Alim is very grateful for this opportunity and would love to be a part of your family.

Kuvvat is an enthusiastic and well-rounded student who brings a passion for learning and connecting with others to every aspect of his life. Actively involved in the Chess Club, Running Club, and Soccer Club, he demonstrates both a competitive spirit and a love for team activities. In addition to his school activities, Kuvvat has a deep passion for volunteering, always seeking ways to contribute to his community. Coming from a close-knit family with two brothers, he cherishes spending quality time with them. Whether it's taking leisurely walks, enjoying movie nights, shopping, playing board games, cooking meals together, or going on weekend trips, family bonding is central to his life. Reading books and listening to music are also some of his favorite pastimes, offering him a chance to unwind and explore new worlds. He is curious and open-minded, always eager to try new activities or hobbies. His adventurous spirit extends to spending time with friends, whether it’s visiting museums or embarking on new experiences. Through it all, he treasures making lasting memories and discovering new perspectives along the way.