Meet Our Students

Tess describes herself as a family-oriented person who enjoys spending time with her family, including cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. She loves animals; however, she is allergic to cats. She and her family recently got a pet dog, Nala. She enjoys taking walks and playing with her dog. She has a close relationship with her two best friends, with whom she enjoys various activities like going to the beach and playing sports. Tess loves to cook and fondly recalls cooking with her grandma when she was younger.  Tess shares a love for sports and regularly goes to the gym with her friends or sister. Tess is passionate about helping others and participates in volunteer activities, such as breast cancer races and animal protection events. She also helped organize a magic festival, where she met magicians and made new friends. Fashion is a significant interest of hers, and she dreams of working in luxury marketing, particularly in New York. Tess is excited to experience the American culture and traditions while sharing hers with you! For more information check out her host family letter!

Bonjour! My name is Virgile and I am a cheerful, curious, and responsible person who loves making people laugh. I enjoy nature, sports—especially soccer, tennis, and rugby—and following sports news. Cooking and exploring different cuisines excite me. Spending a year abroad feels like an incredible opportunity to meet new people, experience different cultures, and improve my English. I look forward to stepping out of my routine, embracing new experiences, and building meaningful connections with my host family. For more information check out my dear host family letter! I can't wait to meet you!

Margaux loves animals and has three cats, two guinea pigs, and one rabbit! She describes herself as having a very joyful and funny nature. She enjoys all kinds of sports, including diving, climbing, swimming, basketball, and dancing. She even tried skydiving at summer camp. She also loves all winter activities like skiing since she lives near the mountains. In her free time, she likes to read and create jewelry. Margaux wants to bring you my joy by sharing all the aspects of her French culture—music, culinary art, and French fashion. She is ready to step out of her comfort zone, embrace the unknown, and come back with a wealth of experiences

***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.

I live in a village north of Lyon, which gives us the chance to ski in winter and enjoy the seaside in summer. I ski and snowboard every year with my family—I love the speed and freedom it brings. I'm athletic and passionate, with a lifelong love for sports like soccer, handball, and swimming. Soccer remains a significant part of my life; I train and play four times a week, where I learn discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. I’ve recently picked up basketball with my brother just for fun—Ja Morant is my favorite player. I value teamwork, open-mindedness, and strategy, both in sports and in school. My favorite basketball team is the Memphis Grizzlies!! Outside of that, I enjoy going to the movies with friends and trying new recipes with my family. Music is also a big part of my life—I listen to pop, rap, and French music daily, especially Travis Scott. In June, I’m joining a school trip to help people. I'm proud of this as it reflects my Christian values and desire to help others. I’ve long dreamed of studying in the U.S., and I’m excited to take on the challenge, grow, improve my English, and share my culture in this life-changing experience. Thank you future host family! For more information check out his host family letter!

Gaspard is a 16-year-old from southern France who loves living by the sea but spent his early years in Paris. During the week, he attends boarding school, where he enjoys sharing a room with friends. A true sports enthusiast, he has a deep passion for rugby, skiing, and sailing—he even worked as an assistant instructor at a sailing club! Though football (or soccer) isn’t his strong suit, he knows the game well. Beyond sports, Gaspard is naturally curious and passionate about history, science, and exploring new ideas—he’s always full of questions! Fascinated by different cultures, he’s eager to experience life in the U.S., a country he sees as full of opportunities and adventure. For more information check out Gaspard's host family letter!

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" 

**Winner of the prestigious FLEX Scholarship** Meet Bakzhol from Kazakhstan! This family-oriented boy enjoys spending summers with his family where they go swimming and prepare barbeques together. His favorite activity is playing soccer with his friends, though he would love to try skiing as he’s only been once! The winters where he lives are harsh, but there are no mountains to ski on. Bakzhol is passionate about math and is involved in Math Olympiads. In the future, he hopes to attend university in the US and become a mathematician. Bakzhol reports that he has many friends that motivate him and help him through difficult situations. “I really want to experience American life, I want to experience American football, also I want to go hiking with my host family and have deep conversations next to a campfire where you can be engaged with an American vibe…” Bakzhol practices Islam and cannot eat pork, but his favorite food is chicken and rice! Apply to host Bakzhol today!

Meet Rakhat, a U.S. Dept. of State FLEX scholarship winner. Her friends call her Roha. She dreams of experiencing life in America. She describes herself as outgoing and cheerful. Roha has a passion for dancing, singing, and sports, especially volleyball and football. She also enjoys volunteering for UNICEF. Roha is a dedicated student, and her favorite classes are history, literature, and physical education. Roha enjoys spending time with friends, nature, and the sea, which she hopes to explore more. In her free time, she watches movies, draws, and helps around the house. Aspiring to work in the film industry, although she is not ruling out other career paths. Roha hopes to build a meaningful connection with her future host family while learning more about the American culture.

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.