Meet Our Students

Maelis eagerly anticipates joining a host family in the U.S. Her friends describe her as kind, generous, funny, and sociable. She has a passion for dancing, having practiced since she was 4 years old, and dances every day at her high school. Maelis is excited about the possibility of continuing her dance practice in the U.S., hoping to explore new styles and share her love of dance with her new community. Additionally, she loves meeting new people, spending time with family and friends, and has an interest in languages and cultures. She dreams of speaking English fluently and says, "I am always in a good mood and I give it to people around me in order to make them smile too." She also loves spending time with young kids. Maelis looks forward to making new friends and experiencing American culture.

Zarema is very excited for this unique opportunity to experience the USA. She has had an interest in singing since 1st grade. She enjoys swimming, dancing, and horseback riding. She also has a love for volunteering programs where she has visited veterans in her own country. Zarema is from a very close family who spends a lot of time together. She has always admired the USA for its culture, history, people, and beautiful landscapes. Her hopes are to experience together grand celebrations of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Halloween, and many other festivals in our country with her host family. Zarema's hopes are to build lasting bonds that will last beyond the time here with her family.

Dario lives with his parents, sister, and 3 cats. He loves playing basketball, he enjoys many sports but basketball is the one he has played most of his life. He also likes listening to music. He prefers math or physics in school. He coaches little kids, from 6 years to 9 years old, in basketball and has started learning how to referee for games. Dario also has a strong passion for motorbikes. He would like to spend more time in nature because living in a big city makes it hard to do that. "I still haven’t decided what to study in the future, but I’d like to become a basketball coach, and of course, to spend some months in the USA as Exchange Student with you, my dear host family."

My interests include reading, watching cartoons, and watching football. Most of my friends are my schoolmates. We usually share jokes, learn together, and sometimes play cards together. I live in one of the urban towns in the Northern part of Ghana. The people there are friendly and easily accept visitors. The predominant language is Dagbani, but most people can speak other Ghanaian languages such as Twi, Mampurili, and Gonja. A sizeable percentage, about 40% speak English. I would like to be a medical surgeon or a computer engineer. My favorite foods include rice, fish meal, vegetables, and tea from cocoa with milk. I would like to know more about US culture and have experience with the second cycle of education in the United States.

I am a FLEX Scholarship recipient, and the oldest child in my family. My family consists of my parents and two younger sisters. As a family, we enjoy traveling together, particularly to natural landscapes. It allows us to bond and appreciate nature. I live in a small town with a rich history and beautiful landscapes, which inspired my interest in street photography. I love capturing the essence of my hometown through the lens of my dad’s old camera, rather than a phone. I am looking forward to improving my skills and capturing unique American landscapes. At school, I have a passion for music and play a traditional instrument called the rubob. In the future, I hope to learn guitar. I love playing volleyball and chess with my friends. I am excited about this experience and hope it will give me a new outlook on career paths and help me to discover my true passion.

Kuvvat is an enthusiastic and well-rounded student who brings a passion for learning and connecting with others to every aspect of his life. Actively involved in the Chess Club, Running Club, and Soccer Club, he demonstrates both a competitive spirit and a love for team activities. In addition to his school activities, Kuvvat has a deep passion for volunteering, always seeking ways to contribute to his community. Coming from a close-knit family with two brothers, he cherishes spending quality time with them. Whether it's taking leisurely walks, enjoying movie nights, shopping, playing board games, cooking meals together, or going on weekend trips, family bonding is central to his life. Reading books and listening to music are also some of his favorite pastimes, offering him a chance to unwind and explore new worlds. He is curious and open-minded, always eager to try new activities or hobbies. His adventurous spirit extends to spending time with friends, whether it’s visiting museums or embarking on new experiences. Through it all, he treasures making lasting memories and discovering new perspectives along the way.

This journey, being a part of a host family’s daily lives, and building meaningful connections with them is extremely exciting for me! Attending school in the U.S., meeting diverse people, experiencing traditions, and experiencing world-class educational opportunities makes the USA an ideal place for me to learn and grow academically. I live in a small town with my family, where the community is strong, and the people are always warm and welcoming. My family is busy, but we find time to go on trips, enjoy outdoor activities, and have dinner together on the weekends. Outside of school, I am enthusiastic about traditional Thai dancing and Thai checkers. I won 2nd and 3rd places in a Thai checkers tournament, and I am currently preparing for a national Thai dance competition. I have always had a deep passion for learning and helping others. I dreamed of becoming a doctor from a young age. In my community, seeing people that are unable to receive treatment, due to lack of resources has not only touched me but it has inspired me to pursue this career.

Zahro describes herself as a friendly and social person, though a bit shy. She lives in a small city in Uzbekistan with her supportive family, which includes her parents, two older brothers, and a younger sister. She cherishes her family, especially the way they help and support one another. At home, Zahro handles chores like washing dishes, cleaning, cooking, and caring for her sister and pets. She has several passions, including swimming, photography, dancing, reading, boxing, and journaling. She values her friendships, especially with classmates and teammates from a volunteer club, and enjoys being positive and humorous. Zahro also expresses a deep interest in becoming an ambassador and believes being an exchange student will help her grow and develop important social skills. She is excited about the opportunity to live with an American family, learn about U.S. culture, and share her own traditions. Zahro hopes to be welcomed as part of the family and is eager to celebrate religious holidays during her exchange.

Teodor (pronounced Theodore) lives in a small town with his parents and younger brother. When they are able to leave, they like to travel out of their small town and explore and experience new things. Teodor likes to bike ride, cook, and travel to see new places. He is fascinated by medicine and would like to learn more about it. Teodor enjoys nature and being outdoors but has never owned a pet. As a future exchange student, Teodor looks forward to the opportunity to experience another culture, learn how other countries deal with different roles in life, and gain new life experiences. Teodor thanks you in advance for your consideration in opening your hearts and home to him.