Meet Our Students

Meet 16-year-old French student Mael who lives in a small village with his father, mother, older brother and cat. Mael is close to his family and they often play board games, pool, and darts and he enjoys activities with his friends. He is currently in the 10th grade and would like to become an architect in the future. His friends and family describe him as nice, respectful, open-minded, funny, generous, clever, friendly and easy to live with. Mael enjoys walking and cycling with his active family along with playing soccer, basketball, table tennis and practicing judo. Beside playing sports, he enjoys music, cooking and traveling. He did a two-week cultural exchange to Panama and his family hosted an exchange student in 2021. While in the US he wants to immerse himself in an American family to discover American life and culture.

Lyla brings a warm, adventurous spirit and a love for both the outdoors and new experiences. She has spent the past six years living on a property in the Snowy Mountains, where she helps care for a variety of animals, including cows, sheep, alpacas, and her beloved horse, Indi. Growing up in both coastal and rural environments has made her adaptable and appreciative of different lifestyles. Currently homeschooled, Lyla is independent, responsible, and motivated. She comes from a close-knit family with three younger brothers, which has helped shape her into a patient, caring, and easygoing person who enjoys being part of a busy household. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, horse riding, swimming, cooking, and spending time with friends. She also loves sports like netball and footy and is always eager to try new activities. Lyla is excited about the opportunity to fully immerse herself in American culture, build meaningful connections, and experience everyday life with a host family. She is open-minded, kind, and enthusiastic about making the most of her exchange and creating lasting memories.

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.

Marek is an active and driven student from a small village who is eager to experience life abroad and immerse himself in a new culture. He is passionate about sports, especially American football, where he has already achieved impressive success, including earning MVP in his first season. In addition to football, he enjoys going to the gym, snowboarding, and staying physically active year-round. Outside of sports, Marek has a strong interest in cybersecurity, which he studies at school. He is a responsible and motivated student who takes part in academic competitions, helps organize school events, and has even represented students at a regional level. He also participated in an international project with students from Taiwan, showing his openness to global experiences. Marek comes from a close-knit, supportive family with four siblings and values teamwork, responsibility, and helping others. He is involved in his community through scouting, where he has grown into a leadership role over the years. He also enjoys cooking, music (having played piano and organ), and contributing to both household and outdoor work. Determined and resilient, Marek manages his diabetes with maturity and always prioritizes his health while continuing to pursue his goals. He hopes to experience American culture, especially football at a high level, and is excited to become a positive, engaged member of a host family.

I’m an active, positive, and family oriented person who enjoys sports, baking, and creative hobbies. I love skiing in winter, scuba diving when traveling, and staying energized at the gym. Styling is another passion of mine—I enjoy doing my makeup, experimenting with hairstyles, and dressing fashionably. In my free time, I like meeting friends, reading, and sharing my creativity. Friends describe me as kind, reliable, and open to new people. I look forward to my exchange year as a chance to grow more independent, improve my English, join new activities, and share my culture through language and food with my host family.

I truly hope that, together, we can create unforgettable, fun memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. My hobbies are running, dancing, and learning languages! I also love history and geography because I like discovering new things about new places. As for my personality, my friends describe me as responsible, open-minded, and curious at the same time a good listener and someone they can rely on and someone they can ask for help and advice. One of my biggest dreams is to create a company and a foundation that will help women, young girls, and children in need who are facing difficult situations. I want to help them and make their lives easier and happier. I can't wait to learn about your traditions, your daily life, and your culture. I am especially excited to celebrate American holidays with you- Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, and many others I have only seen from afar. I believe that cultural exchange is one of the most beautiful things in the world, and I hope we will inspire each other.

I come from a large family that I adore and love very much! I have a rabbit that my family and I adore. He's very furry and small, beige in color, and he's already four years old! My father also has a tiny white dog; he's so cute. I consider these pets to be a big part of my life; I love them so much. I love playing volleyball, especially with my friends on our school's team! I also love to read, especially young adult romance novels. I love them because they let me disconnect and imagine new stories, but I like fantasy, horror, and mystery as well! When I grow up, I'd love to be a judge and study law. Sometimes I think about all the little new things I'm going to discover with you: from trying typical snacks from the local supermarket to learning how you organize your daily life, your schedules, and your customs. I hope we can build a close relationship and create memories together that we will cherish forever. It would be a true honor to become part of your family and embark on this adventure with you!

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.

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!