Meet Our Students

Sam is eagerly anticipating an exciting year ahead in the United States, filled with opportunities to immerse himself in American culture. He is passionate about basketball, having played for several years and even participated in a thrilling tournament in Barcelona. Sam is also a talented pianist with 8 years of study, and a movie enthusiast, particularly fond of Christopher Nolan's films. Alongside his love for sports and the arts, he has started a small shoe business in Europe, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit. As an independent and sociable student, Sam values friendships and family time, looking forward to new connections and shared experiences with his host family. He aims to improve his English as he wants to delve into international business one day. Sam is also a lover of both cats & dogs and has two cats at home he currently helps care for. Sam is fully prepared to engage in this experience with an open mind, to be involved, and to positively contribute to your family. Get ready for making unforgettable memories and embracing every moment of this incredible journey with Sam.

Meet Erik from Estonia. This active student has been studying Thai boxing for six years. He’s focused on fitness and enjoys going to the gym four days per week. On Saturdays, you’ll find him at art school, practicing his manga and anime skills. In his free time, he plays board games with his family or goes to the cinema. Count him in for a relaxing night of movies and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! His parents have been teaching him how to cook, and he’s happy to make you something delicious beforehand. Winter is a special time of year for him. He enjoys skiing, building snowmen, and especially Christmas! In the summer, he helps his father on his construction sites. Erik is excited to start his exchange year and try something new. “I truly hope to be an Exchange student so I can spend an amazing year with you as my new family!” Apply to host him today!

Mariami, who often goes by Masho, is a winner of the prestigious FLEX Scholarship and a junior in high school from a small town in western Georgia. She comes from a large and close-knit family of seven. Mariami has a wide range of interests. She has been playing the piano since the age of six and is deeply passionate about it. She also enjoys reading, watching movies of all genres, and taking evening walks to unwind and connect with nature. Swimming is a new hobby that she has developed a love for. While she has favorite hobbies, she’s open to trying new ones and is always eager to explore new experiences. Mariami says she is known for being communicative, friendly, and outgoing. Looking ahead, Mariami is interested in global issues such as climate change, human rights, and pollution. Though unsure of her exact career path, she envisions studying and living in Europe one day. She believes the FLEX program will be instrumental in helping her adapt to living abroad, understanding new cultures, and preparing for a global future. She is enthusiastic about beginning her American journey, meeting new people, and making lasting memories. For more information, check out her host family letter!

Julie-Anne, a 16-year-old from Quebec, Canada, is an adventurous and passionate individual. She lives with her mom and stepfather during the week and spends weekends with her dad, sharing her home with five cats and a German Shepherd. In winter, she enjoys skiing, while summers are spent working at a pharmacy or relaxing at her family’s cottage. A dedicated student, Julie-Anne excels academically and participates in sports like Ultimate Frisbee and volleyball. She is artistic, enjoys photography, painting, and playing piano, and loves watching hockey with her dad. Family is central to her life, and she dreams of pursuing a career in medicine. Excited about her exchange year, Julie-Anne looks forward to sharing experiences, celebrating holidays, and building lifelong memories with her host family.

*** FLEX Scholarship Winner *** Meet Ayazhan! Her favorite things to do are dancing and singing! Ayazhan is very close to her family and loves spending evenings with them, usually over dinner, talking and sharing the events of the day. With her family, she also enjoys being out in nature, traveling together, celebrating holidays, shopping, and going on walks. Ayazhan can't wait to share her culture's clothing, food, and traditions with her future host family. She looks forward to learning about American culture and trying new things like a Thanksgiving turkey!

Meet Judith from Spain, your future exchange daughter! Judith is a friendly, funny girl who enjoys helping others. She describes herself as empathetic and family-oriented. She hopes you will take her to the cinema and your favorite places. In exchange, she’ll teach you how to cook some of her delicious Spanish foods. Judith’s passion is artistic gymnastics. She’s competed for many years and trains four days per week. Judith hopes you have a dog, but she loves all animals. She also loves food! She lists pasta Bolognese, hamburgers, pizza, and broccoli as favorites. She’s not just a fan of eating it but also a good cook. Let her whip up some three-chocolate cake for you. She’s sure you’ll love it! In the future, she’d like to do something related to sports or teaching. She hopes this exchange year will teach her many things, and she’s excited to learn about your hobbies and values. She promises you’ll have a great time with her. “I really appreciate the opportunity to live with you, I look forward to meeting you and sharing special moments together. I am very excited about the experience we are going to have and I look forward to the day.” Apply to host Judith today! For more information check out her host family letter!

Héctor is an active and curious individual with a passion for sports and learning. He plays padel—his greatest passion—along with tennis, table tennis, and regularly swims and trains at the gym. He also attends chess, padel, painting, and tennis classes. Beyond sports, he enjoys cultural activities like visiting museums, exhibitions, going to the theater, and watching movies. Academically, Héctor is organized, independent, and responsible, with a strong aptitude for science, physics, chemistry, and math. He spent four months studying in Ireland with a host family and took part in a meaningful trip to Valencia with his scouting group to help those affected by the Dana disaster. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, cycling, listening to music, and reading.

***FLEX Scholarship Recipient*** Meet Takhir! He is passionate about programming and is working towards becoming a software engineer in the future. He enjoys working with technology and solving complex problems through coding and innovation. He says that he hopes to "work on exciting projects that can make a difference and contribute to advancements in the tech industry." Takhir also values a healthy lifestyle and goes to the gym several times a week to do strength training and other exercises. When he's not working or exercising, you'll often find him spending time with family, friends, volunteering, reading, or listening to music.

Hello! My name is Arusyak, and I’m a 16-year-old student from a small town in Georgia. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself and be part of the FLEX program. I live with my supportive parents and siblings, who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. I’m an energetic, curious person who loves learning about different cultures and meeting new people. My favorite subjects are English, history, and civics. English helps me connect with people globally, and history and civics help me better understand the world and my role in it. In my free time, I enjoy reading, especially stories about human relationships and social issues. I also love writing, journaling, and taking walks in nature. These quiet moments help me reflect and grow. My family has taught me the values of kindness, empathy, and hard work—qualities I hope to share with my host family. I’d love to cook traditional dishes like khachapuri and khinkali and celebrate cultural holidays together. Thank you so much for considering me. I’m truly excited to meet you, share our cultures, and create wonderful memories together!

Right at the start of Lea's host family letter she explains how becoming an exchange student in the U.S. is an absolute dream of hers. Not only is she passionate about improving her English, but also recognizes that this is a unique and unforgettable experience. Lea describes herself as sporty, respectful, open-minded, active and ready to discover new places and adventures. Lea is a cheerleader and dancer! She also enjoys running and training. Despite Canada having long winters, summer is Lea's favorite season with the chance to swim and spend time outdoors in the warmth. Hockey is a very important sport in Canada and in true Quebec fashion, Lea and her family love watching it and cheering on their favorite teams. She also enjoys watching baseball and football and hopes that one day she will be able to watch a football game in a stadium. This exchange year will mean that she is away from her twin sister. They support each other to the fullest and she is confident that this is a great opportunity for her individual growth. Lea says "I’m ready to embrace all the changes this experience might bring. I’m eager to learn about your lifestyle and immerse myself in this exchange"