Meet Our Students

Javier "JJ" loves aviation and dreams of becoming an air traffic controller. His grandfather, who is an aerospace engineer, has taught him so much about aviation even taking him to air shows! A good student, JJ appreciates his math teacher especially, as he says the teacher is willing to take the time to make sure the students really understand the lessons. In his free time, he loves participating in sports, especially basketball, which is his favorite. In the summer, he goes to camp with classmates from school and during the holidays, he travels to the country with his extended family. JJ is so excited to practice his English in his new community and get to know his host family!

Aishabibi is a kind‑hearted, thoughtful student from Kazakhstan who instantly makes people feel comfortable. She grew up in a close, loving family and brings that same warmth into everything she does. She helps with cooking, cleaning, and keeping the home running smoothly, and she especially loves baking with her mom. Active and energetic, she enjoys football, volleyball, and boxing—sports she’s been around since childhood thanks to her grandfather, a former coach. She’s deeply curious about the world, passionate about languages and international relations, and eager to learn from a new culture. She uses Salbutamol only rarely for mild asthma. A family who welcomes her will gain a grateful, hardworking daughter who will leave a lasting mark on their hearts.

Katie is easygoing, warm, and known for her bright smile—especially in awkward moments. Katie loves animals (especially dogs and cats), warm weather, and spending time at the beach, where she’s happiest relaxing in the sun with ice cream in hand. While she’s adventurous and open-minded, she’ll admit she has one big fear: spiders! In her free time, Katie enjoys watching movies, shopping at the mall, exploring new places, and hanging out with friends. She is always eager to try new activities and looks forward to participating in family traditions, school events, and anything new her host family enjoys doing together. Family and friendships are very important to Katie. She values the strong support system she has at home, especially her parents, who have taught her independence, patience, and resilience. Through her exchange experience, Katie hopes to grow more independent, adapt to a new culture, and gain meaningful life experiences. She is deeply grateful to host families who open their homes and hearts and is excited to learn about American culture, daily life, and family traditions while becoming a part of her host family.

Wahel is a curious, energetic, and open minded boy from France who dreams of discovering life in the United States. He loves sports like swimming, running, and badminton, enjoys learning languages such as English and Korean, and has a strong passion for history. At home, he spends his time cooking with his family, watching movies, going out with friends, and taking care of his lively dog, Sania. Motivated, ambitious, and eager to explore new cultures, Wahel hopes to improve his English, experience American traditions like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving, and share his own French culture in return. His biggest wish is to live with an American family, learn their way of life, and build unforgettable memories while studying in an American high school.

I'm currently attending my third year at the High School of Science and I really love it! Science, physics, and math are really interesting for me. I've always wanted to have a pet but my mother says that it requires a lot of work, so I hope to have one in America! One of my hobbies is cooking, I usually bake cookies, cakes, and typical Italian sweets. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes. I love watching horror/thriller movies and series, I really enjoy the type of adrenaline--I also read thriller books! I love practicing all sports, but my favorite is basketball! I adore moving and achieving small goals, and tend to be considered competitive. Once a week I have a meeting in church with my peers, we discuss current topics and prepare activities and games for children, and I volunteer every year in a parish summer camp! I am really excited to learn and absorb the American culture. I always dreamed to celebrate the famous Thanksgiving, to baking Christmas cookies, and to watching a movie while eating popcorn from those huge bags! I'm so happy to represent my country, and I'll cook every Italian dish you are willing to try! I am so grateful for this opportunity and I'm sure we will make many unforgettable memories together!

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.

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.

I’m really excited about the opportunity to come to the United States as an exchange student and become part of your family. Family means a lot to me—I’m very close with my parents and my older sister, whose own exchange experience inspired me to take on this adventure myself. Sports are a big part of who I am. I’ve played tennis since I was young and compete regularly, and I’m also passionate about skiing, where I race competitively in the Alps. Through these experiences, I’ve learned perseverance and teamwork, to stay focused, to keep going when things get tough, and to never give up. Outside of sports, I enjoy music, spending time with close friends, traveling, and being around animals—especially my dog, who is a big part of my life. I value strong relationships and meaningful experiences, whether it’s with friends back home or new people I meet. More than anything, I’m looking forward to fully immersing myself in your culture, sharing daily life with your family, and building real connections. I’m eager to help out, be involved, and grow through this experience.

Saba is a friendly and responsible student who values respect, family, and meaningful connections. He comes from a close-knit family and enjoys helping at home, staying organized, and supporting others. Saba is passionate about sports, especially volleyball and soccer, and was part of his school team that won a local championship. Saba is also academically motivated and interested in pursuing engineering or computer science in the future. Sociable and supportive, he enjoys spending time with friends and meeting new people. During his exchange, Saba is excited to improve his English, experience daily life with his host family, and share his culture while building lasting memories.