Meet Our Students

First of all, I would like to thank you for your welcome this school year, which will allow me to live this incredible experience. I live in the South of France in a small mountain village with my family. We have a dog, Oslo, who is my best friend. If I were to tell you about myself, I would tell you that I love animals, drawing, and the mountains! I also love horses, I have been riding for over 10 years. What I enjoy most is spending time with the horses and concentrating on my technique without thinking about anything else. I have been drawing since I was a little girl and I even took classes in Fine Arts. I would like to go to an interior design school in the future, and help people feel good in their homes. My dream is to try out for the high school cheerleading team. This doesn't exist in French school and is something I have always wanted to do. I can't wait to meet you and to spend this year with you!

Luis is responsible, outgoing, and enthusiastic with a deep passion for learning, sports, and connecting with others. His interests range from boxing, skiing, and surfing, to music, cooking, and exploring personal growth. Inspired by his love for working with young children, he hopes to become a primary school teacher one day. Luis wants to come to America not only to improve his English, but also to experience a new culture, challenge himself in a different academic environment, and become part of a family with whom he can share traditions, build meaningful relationships, and grow personally. He sees this exchange as a chance to step outside of his comfort zone and discover more about the world and himself.

Louis is a curious, energetic, and motivated student excited to experience everyday life with an American family. As a pastry chef and chocolatier apprentice, he is dedicated, hardworking, and takes pride in his craft. Outside of his training, Louis enjoys spending time with family and friends, whether that’s go-karting, playing pool, attending concerts, or relaxing with video games and music. He has a strong appreciation for cars, photography, and drawing, and values meaningful connections and shared experiences. Louis is eager to improve his English, grow in independence, and embrace new opportunities while sharing his own culture and traditions. Louis says, “I’m really ready to jump into this adventure and live like a real member of your family.”

From northwestern France, Emmy is pleasant and poised and looking forward to creating incredible memories with her host family. Not one to fall into routine, Emmy enjoys the special moments that are often experienced during new adventures. Her family is very important to her, and she enjoys celebrating festive events like birthdays and Christmas with laughter and a meal. A passionate person, Emmy enjoys sports like handball, cheering on her favorite teams, baking, exploring new places, and animals! When it's finally time to relax, Emmy sits down with a good book or a movie, and of course, listens to her favorite music every day! Emmy is looking forward to becoming a true member of her American host family with a strong bond lasting well beyond her exchange year.

My name is Elenor, and I live in a small village in western France near the sea. I share a warm home with my parents and my sister, whom I often help as she lives with a genetic condition. My days are filled with dance, a passion I’ve had since I was six, and which I now practice several hours a day, competing at regional and national levels. I also love reading—whether romance or fantasy—and spending time with my friends and family, whether hiking with my mother or watching classic films with my father. Thanks to my travels, including a memorable trip to the United States, I’ve discovered how much I appreciate the spontaneity and kindness of American culture. I would love to spend a year in the U.S. to experience everyday American life, join in school traditions like riding the yellow bus or discovering cheerleading, and share my own French culture in return. I hope to live with a family who will welcome this cultural exchange and allow us to learn from one another.

Elisa dreams of becoming a flight attendant because she loves to travel, especially by airplane. This northern Italian girl is an only child who connects with her mom through shopping, and with her dad by playing video games. She loves that they are so supportive of her dream of an exchange year! Elisa has 2 cats and a turtle that she cares for at home. She has many activities that she enjoys but reading and listening to music are two of her favorites! She enjoys going to book fairs and concerts when she can. Elisa is excited to share her knowledge of Italian cooking and baking with her host family. One of her favorite dishes to make is Tiramisu! She is looking forward to taking different classes, improving her English, and trying a new way of life with her host family!

Cynthia is a thoughtful and gentle student from Taiwan who enjoys quiet moments, meaningful connections, and expressing herself through the arts. She loves listening to jazz music and has played the cello since childhood, appreciating its bold and expressive personality. In her free time, she enjoys cheerful movies, exploring new places, cooking—especially desserts—and sharing food with others. Curious and open‑minded, Cynthia hopes to come to America to experience everyday life with a host family, challenge herself with new activities like cheerleading, and participate fully in cultural exchange. She is excited to share Taiwanese traditions such as making dumplings and writing Spring Festival couplets, while also learning and embracing American customs. Above all, Cynthia wants to build warm relationships, discover a new way of life, and bring those experiences back to share with her friends at home.

Miharu is a cheerful girl from Japan who is excited to improve her English! Traveling on a school trip to Singapore, hosting an exchange student from India, and getting to know a Taiwanese student who joined her school, has helped her realize that learning English well will help her improve relationships and better understand cultures worldwide. She loves taking photos and is even a member of a photo club. She is excited to capture special moments of her exchange year! With a passion for Japanese anime and manga, Miharu is excited to see the books on the shelves of an American bookstore or library. She has a few allergy sensitivities that she manages well on her own. Ultimately, she is excited to learn from her host family and share wonderful memories together!

Anna is an outgoing and brave high school student from Taiwan who enjoys meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. A native Mandarin speaker, she loves sharing her background and learning from others. At school, she participates in Model United Nations, where she has developed strong public speaking and leadership skills. In her free time, she enjoys crafts and hands-on projects. Anna hopes her exchange year will help her grow, make meaningful friendships, and share Taiwanese culture—especially her cooking—with her host family.

Quinn is a warm hearted, adventurous boy who loves sports, and spending time with friends and family. He plays bandy—a unique Swedish ice sport that challenges him mentally and physically—and enjoys watching soccer with his dad and brother. Having traveled to many countries and fallen in love with exploring new cultures, Quinn is eager to come to America to experience daily life in a new environment, discover more about himself, and gain clarity about his future after school. His curiosity, love of learning, and desire for personal growth make this exchange year especially meaningful for him.