Meet Our Students

Luis is responsible, outgoing, and enthusiastic with a deep passion for learning, sports, and connecting with others. His interests range from boxing, skiing, and surfing, to music, cooking, and exploring personal growth. Inspired by his love for working with young children, he hopes to become a primary school teacher one day. Luis wants to come to America not only to improve his English, but also to experience a new culture, challenge himself in a different academic environment, and become part of a family with whom he can share traditions, build meaningful relationships, and grow personally. He sees this exchange as a chance to step outside of his comfort zone and discover more about the world and himself.

Cindy is a warm, thoughtful, and family-oriented student from Taiwan who would bring genuine connection and positivity into any host home. Raised in a close-knit family that values communication and time together, she naturally seeks meaningful relationships and looks forward to becoming an active part of her host family’s daily life—whether that’s sharing meals, helping around the house, or participating in family traditions. Cindy is well-rounded and driven, with a strong passion for music as a longtime member of her school’s Chinese orchestra, where she plays the bamboo flute. Music is not only her talent but also her way of expressing herself and connecting with others. In addition, Cindy is an accomplished swimmer with years of training and competition experience, showing both discipline and commitment. She has grown into a confident, outgoing, and resilient young woman who embraces challenges as opportunities for growth. Her dream of becoming a diplomat reflects her curiosity about the world and her desire to build cross-cultural understanding. Cindy is eager to fully immerse herself in American culture, improve her English, and contribute positively to her school and community.

I really like the sea and surfing. Through my surf experiences, I became interested in environmental issues, especially marine pollution. Then, I began beach cleanups three times a week when I was in junior high school. I see myself as a proactive and responsible person. I like doing exercise and having fun playing sports, but I'm honestly not any good at ball games. I would like to learn about American culture and traditions, as well as the environmental consciousness of American people. With my family and friends, we enjoy going to the beach or hiking on weekends. At the moment, I am practicing cooking easy Japanese dishes for you! I will try my best to improve my English and communication skills. In the future, I hope to be a person who can thrive internationally.

Meet Arstenbek from Kyrgyzstan. He is a serious student with a fun side! He is excited to learn about American culture and wants to try baseball and American football. He enjoys hobbies like chess, Monopoly, and table tennis. He is a recipient of the prestigious FLEX scholarship for students that have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. He spends weekdays at a boarding school where he is engaged in several interesting projects called GreenLand, Bilimbot, Olimpfund and Olimplearn. He describes the boarding school as an opportunity that he is extremely grateful to be a part of where he is learning cleanliness and respect for elders along with academic subjects. On weekends he is home with his family which includes his mother, father and ten-year-old brother. Helping out at home when he is there is very important to Arstanbek, he cleans, cooks and grocery shops for his family. He is also very passionate about his culture; he plays a traditional instrument called the Chopo-Chor. He also acknowledges what an amazing act of kindness hosting a student is and will truly appreciate this opportunity to its fullest.

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.

First of all, I would like to thank you for your welcome this school year, which will allow me to live this incredible experience. I live in the South of France in a small mountain village with my family. We have a dog, Oslo, who is my best friend. If I were to tell you about myself, I would tell you that I love animals, drawing, and the mountains! I also love horses, I have been riding for over 10 years. What I enjoy most is spending time with the horses and concentrating on my technique without thinking about anything else. I have been drawing since I was a little girl and I even took classes in Fine Arts. I would like to go to an interior design school in the future, and help people feel good in their homes. My dream is to try out for the high school cheerleading team. This doesn't exist in French school and is something I have always wanted to do. I can't wait to meet you and to spend this year with you!

Augustin is a cheerful and sociable student from France who loves discovering new cultures and connecting with people. Deeply shaped by his lively family and his years in scouting, he values kindness, teamwork, and helping others. A passionate athlete, he has spent many years playing soccer, tennis, and rugby, and hopes to continue playing soccer during his exchange year. He also enjoys simple moments — from playing board games with his siblings to sharing laughs with friends at boarding school. Curious, reliable, and full of positive energy, Augustin is excited to join a host family, learn from their way of life, share a bit of French culture, and create meaningful memories together.

Jean lives with his parents, two brothers, sister and dog. He was born in the Caribbean and lived there for the first seven years of his life. He is a practicing Catholic and goes to church every Sunday. In his free time, Jean likes to play tennis, running, swimming, and cycling. He has been involved in scouting for several years. His friends and family often say that he brings energy and joy to the people around him. 

With a love for adventure and a naturally positive spirit, Janai is excited to experience life as part of an American family. She comes from the south of France and a close-knit, creative household, where she’s been surrounded by art, music, and diverse perspectives. Janai enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and traveling, and she brings a fun, easygoing personality with a great sense of humor. She values connection, loves spending time with others, and is both caring and responsible. Eager to grow and explore, Janai is looking forward to improving her English, experiencing American culture, and truly becoming part of your family.