Meet Our Students

Javier is a 16-year-old exchange student from Spain who is eager to experience life in the United States. He describes himself as polite, responsible, sociable, and empathetic, with a strong motivation to achieve his goals and try new things. Javier enjoys meeting people from different cultures and adapting to new environments. He is very active and sporty, with a passion for soccer, padel, and fitness. In his free time, he also enjoys playing video games and spending time with friends. Javier has previous experience as an exchange student, having studied in Ireland and England multiple times, which has helped him become independent and adaptable. Academically, he is particularly interested in economics, history, and English, and he hopes to pursue a future in business and marketing. Javier speaks Spanish and Valencian fluently, has a strong level of English (B2 certified), and some knowledge of French. He values family highly and enjoys spending time with his parents, whether relaxing at home or going out together. Although he does not have pets, he loves dogs and hopes to have one in the future. He doesn't have any brothers or sisters; however he likes young kids and sharing time with them. Javier is excited about the opportunity to live with a host family, immerse himself in American culture, and build meaningful connections while sharing his own culture in return.

Arstanbek comes from a close-knit family of four, including his parents and younger brother. Growing up in a bilingual household has helped them develop adaptability, strong communication skills, and an appreciation for different cultures. His mother works in tourism, inspiring a love of travel and exploration, while his father is an entrepreneur. Family is very important to him, and he enjoys helping at home and spending time together. An excellent student, Arstanbek has attended a specialized boarding school since 2022. He is highly involved in school life, participating in multiple academic and project-based activities, including environmental, robotics, and technology-related programs. His dedication, curiosity, and strong work ethic have helped them thrive both academically and socially. In his free time, Arstanbek enjoys reading, spending time with friends, exploring their city, and learning new things. He is especially interested in engineering and hopes to pursue a career that allows him to create solutions that improve people's lives. As an exchange student, Arstanbek is excited to immerse himself in American culture, learn about community involvement and volunteerism, and participate in new activities such as football, baseball, and school clubs. He looks forward to sharing his own culture and traditions while building meaningful relationships with his host family, school, and community.

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.

Hi! You can call me Jimmy. I am very excited to share my Taiwanese culture with you, especially one of my favorite street foods, Large Intestine Noodle! It may sound a little unusual, but it is loved by many people in Taiwan. My favorite festival is the Lunar New Year, because it is the longest holiday of the year. My family and I spend lots of time together and visit relatives, which are always very meaningful moments to me. In terms of sports, my favorite activities are hiking and biking. I like them because they are easy to start and enjoyable. I usually do these activities with my friends, and we have a lot of fun together. I also enjoy playing table tennis and badminton. Recently, I have started watching soccer games and my favorite player is Lionel Messi. My hobbies include programming, watching Japanese anime, playing video games, and riding bikes. I am currently a member of the Computer Software Development Club, where I can learn from others who share similar interests. Joining the exchange student program is a great opportunity to share and exchange cultures with people from different countries. Going to the United States and living in an English-speaking environment will help me improve greatly. I hope to experience life as a local student, enjoy traditional dishes, make new friends, and join a school club. I want to sincerely thank you for considering me and for opening your home to a student from another country.

Elona is excited to spend a year in the United States and experience American culture firsthand. She lives with her parents and older brother, with whom she shares a close relationship. Open-minded, curious, and sociable, Elona loves meeting new people and trying new experiences. Music is one of the biggest parts of Elona’s life. She has been playing music for six years and enjoys playing the alto and tenor saxophone. Recently, she began learning soprano saxophone and studying orchestral conducting at her local conservatory. Along with music, Elona is very athletic. She has played regional-level soccer for six years and previously competed in tennis at a high level. She enjoys staying active and participating in many different sports. Family is very important to Elona, and she enjoys spending quality time together playing board games, listening to music, and sharing everyday activities. She is responsible and helpful at home, often assisting with chores, cooking, and babysitting for neighborhood children. These experiences have taught her patience, adaptability, and how much she enjoys caring for kids. Elona loves traveling, learning languages, and discovering new cultures. She has studied English for many years and has participated in language immersion trips that increased her passion for living abroad. She is eager to become part of an American family, share traditions, and create unforgettable memories during her exchange year.

Raphael is a friendly and motivated high school student from southwest France, who is excited to experience life in the United States. He comes from a close-knit family and enjoys spending time with relatives, friends, and his dog. Active and adventurous, Raphael is passionate about sports, especially competitive karting, snowboarding, and water sports—which have taught him discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. At school, he studies a wide range of subjects and is especially motivated to improve his English through full immersion. Organized, responsible, and independent, he helps at home and values being an active part of family life. Raphael describes himself as open-minded, respectful, and adaptable, with a positive attitude toward new challenges. He looks forward to sharing French culture, participating in American traditions, and building meaningful connections with his host family while growing personally and academically during his exchange year.

Darwin describes himself as kind and positive. He lives with his mother and grandmother who support him in everything that he does; especially his education and sports. Darwin says that his home is filled with laughter and good food. One of the biggest parts of his life is basketball which makes him feel strong, focused and happy and he hopes to play in the US. He also enjoys relaxing moments, listening to music, spending time with friends and trying new foods. He chose to be an exchange student so he can grow as a person, learn about American culture, and understand life in another part of the world. By living with a host family, he believes that it is the best and most authentic way to experience this. Darwin hopes that his exchange year will be unforgettable for himself and his 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.

Nicola is a friendly, energetic, and adventurous student from Italy who is excited to experience life in the United States. He enjoys staying active and has participated in several sports, including soccer, tennis, and swimming, but his greatest passion is volleyball. Through sports, Nicola has developed strong teamwork skills, discipline, and resilience. Outside of athletics, Nicola enjoys listening to music, cooking, and spending time with friends exploring new places and experiences. He also previously played guitar and remains interested in music. As a longtime member of the Scouts, Nicola has learned responsibility, leadership, resourcefulness, and how to work effectively with others. Nicola is no stranger to helping at home and is happy to assist with cooking, cleaning, and household tasks. He also spends time volunteering at children's summer camps, where he helps organize activities and mentor younger children. These experiences have helped him develop patience, creativity, and strong interpersonal skills. While Nicola is still exploring what he would like to pursue in the future, he views his exchange year as an opportunity for personal growth, cultural exchange, and self-discovery. He is eager to learn about American culture, make new friends, and become part of a host family while sharing Italian traditions, food, and experiences. Nicola brings enthusiasm, kindness, maturity, and a positive attitude, making him an excellent addition to any host family.