Meet Our Students

I am the youngest of five siblings in a large, close-knit Catholic family. My parents are both supportive and have high expectations, which creates a warm and encouraging environment at home—always full of energy with the comings and goings of my siblings and their friends. I attend a large Catholic school known for its strong science programs, and I’m hopeful to be accepted into the exchange program soon. This year, I’m especially excited to be a member of the Scouts Unitaires de France (SUF), a respected Catholic scouting organization. I currently serve as the third leader of my team, a role that has helped me develop leadership skills and take initiative. Scouting has taught me the value of teamwork and resilience, especially during our three-week summer camps in nature. Outside of school and scouting, I enjoy playing tennis, woodworking, gardening, and playing airsoft with my friends. I also love baking—especially because it brings joy to others, and my mum is always happy when I bake something sweet!

I am an active and outgoing boy, and I really enjoy participating in various sports activities, particularly soccer. When I'm not on the field, I often listen to music. My favorite tunes are generally hip-hop. I also like to discover new artists. I want to do this program because it offers a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture. I want to live the daily life of an American student and make friends in high school and in sports clubs. I also really want to learn about your family's customs and traditions like thanksgiving. I hope I could also bring you a good experience in your home.

Meet Gaspard, a French student who dreams of a career in logistics and trading. Growing up as the middle child, Gaspard has always had to navigate his place between his two brothers, but it’s helped him develop resilience and a strong sense of self. Gaspard’s personality is one of constant energy and positivity, with a natural ability to bring smiles to those around him. Whether it’s through his sense of humor, his love for soccer, or his enthusiasm for rap music, he’s always the first to spark laughter and lighten the mood. He says, "I like making people laugh if they are not energetic then I try to liven them up thanks to my sense of humor." Through his work-study program, Gaspard has matured, learning to balance hard work with moments of fun and laughter. He looks forward to the possibility of spending a year with a host family, where he can build meaningful relationships, improve his language skills, and share his passions for sports, music, and humor with others.

Alina is an only child and enjoys spending time with her family, engaging in activities like shopping and movie nights. Alina is extroverted, loves debates, and participates in school debates to voice her opinions. She speaks advanced Chinese and is learning beginner Korean, aiming to explore more languages and cultures. At home, she helps with household tasks and enjoys maintaining a positive atmosphere. Alina is excited to experience American culture, especially the unique holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. She looks forward to trying outdoor activities and learning about American history and diversity. Having lived with host families in the UK and China, she knows how to make cultural exchanges enjoyable and productive. She values the responsibility of representing her culture and is eager to share Kazakhstan’s history, including her experience winning a history competition. Alina expresses gratitude to the host family for their willingness to host an exchange student, and promises to be an engaged participant, and is excited for the upcoming adventure and the opportunity to create memories together.

Oybek is a FLEX Scholarship student from Uzbekistan! He describes himself as an extrovert who enjoys football and debate. He established a Debate Club, where he practices public speaking and improvisation, and he co-founded the SpeakEasy Club to improve English and public speaking skills. He also serves as an IELTS Mock Speaking Examiner, helping others practice their speaking abilities. Oybek writes: “My friends would describe me as extroverted, energetic, goal-oriented, and a good conversationalist.” He said he wants to study economics or business management. He is allergic to orchard grass.

Mohinur is excited to introduce herself to her future American host family. She comes from a small family consisting of her parents and sister. Her father works abroad as a driver, while her mother is a deputy director at the school where both she and her sister study. They enjoy spending time together cooking, shopping, and having deep discussions. Mohinur has a wide range of interests, including psychology, meeting people from different backgrounds, and writing for her blog. She loves nature and enjoys spending time in forests. At school, she has many friends and enjoys playing volleyball and participating in cultural events like cooking pilaf together in spring. Mohinur aspires to become a psychologist to help people with mental challenges. She also enjoys singing national songs and once attended music school. During her stay in the U.S., she is eager to try local food while sharing her own cooking. She is passionate about nature photography and dreams of buying a camera in the future. Mohinur is excited to meet her host family and looks forward to new experiences and cultural exchange.

Zafarbek, also known as Zack, is a bright and ambitious student from a close-knit community in Uzbekistan. He cherishes the warmth and support of his hometown and enjoys activities such as volunteering, playing volleyball, and music, particularly pop. Zack is eager to step out of his comfort zone and embrace new experiences, which is why he wants to participate in an exchange program in the U.S. He is enthusiastic about learning American culture firsthand, trying activities like horseback riding and learning piano, and creating lasting memories. Ultimately, Zack aims to pursue business management at a top U.S. university to develop skills for making a positive global impact.

Meet 18-year-old Mony from Thailand who describes herself as friendly, outgoing, and likes to see people smile and be happy. She is an only child adopted by her grandparents whom she calls “mama and papa”. They have provided her with love, advice, and a good quality of life. Mony loves Marvel movies, ice skating, and cooking, and started performing in school musical events as a young child. She also plays an instrument called a “khim” which she performed at the National Theatre in the 5th grade. Currently, she is in the 11th grade at a small business school focusing on business skills, English communications, and self-confidence. Mony’s philosophy is “Life is short; make it happy, or you’ll regret it later”.

Amirlan lives with his parents and younger brother. He enjoys traveling, talking, laughing, playing games, and singing with his family. His chores at home are dusting, running the robot vacuum, and putting everything back in order. He is creative and always full of energy. Amirlan loves dancing, singing, acting and decorating the house for holidays. His hobbies include baking different treats, taking photos, filming mini-videos, skiing and paintball. In the future, he wants to be an engineer in the oil and gas industry. "From this program, I expect to gain new experiences in American culture. I'm also eager to share my culture with you, cook various delicious dishes, and teach you how to play the dombra."