Meet Our Students

I am very honored and moved to be writing to you! I consider myself someone who enjoys meeting new people and challenging myself. I come from a large family of 6, and I have 3 brothers! We are very close and enjoy telling stories with each other and laughing a lot. On Sundays, we normally spend the day together as a family and cook a nice lunch. We can spend hours at the table talking, laughing, and debating. I am very sporty and enjoy all kinds of sports, but I especially like athletics. I’m part of the athletics club in my town, where I train for middle-distance running. But I live near the sea, so I have always loved water sports such as sailing, surfing, and swimming. In my free time, I enjoy going to the cinema, walking outside, cooking (especially baking cakes), and trying new recipes. At school, I am a motivated and serious student. I am currently in high school and my favorite subjects are history, maths, science, and English. In the future, I would like to work in the medical field and do medical research. I have always been interested in science and helping others. I think that spending a year abroad will help me become more independent and open-minded, which are important qualities for this kind of career. I really look forward to meeting you and sharing my culture with you! I think it would be an incredible opportunity to live the true American experience, meet new people, and create unforgettable memories.

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!

For more info, check out my Host Family Letter!

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.

Dorota is a 17-year-old student from the Czech Republic with a strong passion for sports, personal growth, and exploring new cultures. She attends a sports high school and lives independently during the week in a dormitory, which has helped her become adaptable, responsible, and mature. Friendly, kind, and easygoing, Dorota may be shy at first, but she quickly opens up and enjoys building meaningful relationships with others. Athletics plays a major role in her life, especially javelin throw, shot put, and sprinting. She enjoys staying active outdoors and has participated in many competitions with great success. Beyond sports, Dorota loves music, drawing, traveling, trying new foods, and experiencing lively places and different cultures. Family is very important to her, and growing up with two younger brothers has taught her patience, responsibility, and teamwork. As an exchange student, Dorota hopes to improve her English, gain confidence, and experience everyday life in a new country. She is excited to become part of a host family, meet new people, and challenge herself through new experiences both in and outside of school.

Maj is a friendly, open-minded, and adventurous 16-year-old from Denmark who is excited to experience life as an exchange student in the United States. Curious about American culture and traditions, Maj looks forward to experiencing everyday high school life, including homecoming, prom, and holiday celebrations like Halloween and Thanksgiving. An active and dedicated student, Maj has practiced Taekwondo since the age of seven and currently holds a 2nd Dan black belt. Outside of sports, Maj enjoys spending time with friends, going to concerts and movies, and hopes to explore a growing interest in acting by joining a drama club during the exchange year. Maj describes themselves as cheerful, easygoing, and adaptable, qualities developed from being the youngest in a busy family with strong family connections. Excited to improve English skills, gain independence, and build lasting friendships, Maj is eager to embrace new experiences and become part of a welcoming host family and community.

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.

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!

I have two parents and a little sister. We are very close and are always there for each other. We live in an apartment building, and we do lots of activities together. For instance, me and my dad go swimming every week at our local pool as a recreational activity, even in wintertime. During summer, we go on a lot of bike rides, particularly in the mountains where we have the best time. We also play a lot of ping pong. With my mother and sister, we often walk around town and discuss various topics or play badminton at our local park. Through the years, I have developed many passions and interests. First off, I really love geography. This subject is deeply rooted in me and I always strive to excel at it by going to national competitions and participating in various online courses. At the same time, I enjoy reading books. I particularly enjoy reading about scientific discoveries, expeditions, and historical events. My main plans for the future are to graduate high school and continue my studies in the field of Earth Science, whether in my home country, or abroad. I want to help and cooperate with people to find solutions to problems affecting our planet like climate change and biodiversity loss. I would also want to volunteer more and support campaigns and events that help protect our community.