Meet Our Students

Marco is from Spain and was born in Italy, where his multicultural background has shaped who he is today. He is known as a thoughtful and empathetic person who genuinely cares about understanding what others are going through. Marco feels emotions deeply and is mindful of how his words and actions may affect those around him. Sports and music are his greatest passions. He plays the guitar and also enjoys learning piano. Family means everything to Marco—he is an only child and, while he sometimes wished for siblings, he is especially excited about joining a host family with kids and becoming part of a lively household.

Ginny, short for Ginevra, is a creative and passionate student from Italy who is both thoughtful and energetic. While she may seem shy at first, she quickly becomes social and enthusiastic once she feels comfortable. She studies architecture at an artistic high school and loves expressing herself through art, sketching, and design. Dance is her greatest passion, especially hip hop and contemporary styles, and she also enjoys staying active through sports like gymnastics and CrossFit. Ginny loves music, from modern genres to playing the piano, is a dedicated volunteer in emergency medical services, and is a huge animal lover. Curious, kind, and eager to grow, she is excited to share experiences, creativity, and meaningful connections during her exchange year.

My name is Giulia, and I hope to be your future Italian exchange student! I live in northeast Italy with my parents and older brother. I love discovering new cultures and recently spent two weeks in the UK with a host family, which made me even more excited to spend a full year abroad. I chose the U.S. because I admire the culture, traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving, and the school system with its many activities. In my free time, I enjoy volleyball, skiing in the Dolomites, and summer water sports like windsurfing. My biggest passion is music—I’ve played piano since I was seven and especially love Chopin, even though I usually listen to Italian rap. I also enjoy movies, shopping with friends, and sharing traditions with my family, like cheering for Ferrari races or watching basketball with my dad. I’d love to share a piece of my culture with you, especially by cooking Italian dishes like carbonara. I would describe myself as curious, enthusiastic, and ready for new experiences, and I can’t wait to create memories together!

Anaelle is full of energy, curiosity, and warmth, with a deep love for cultural exchange and adventure. She is passionate about music, outdoor activities, and trying new things—from skiing and hiking to paddleboarding and zip-lining. Anaelle and her family are big fans of amusement parks. They live close to Disneyland Paris and go there quite often, but she also loves thrill rides in other parks nearby. Though she may be shy at first, she quickly becomes friendly, talkative, and eager to connect. Anaelle is academically driven, socially engaged, and excited to share her French culture while embracing everyday American life with enthusiasm and heart. "I'm really excited to meet you, explore new experiences, and enjoy every moment of this adventure. I’m thrilled to create lots of happy memories together."

Fiona is excited to experience everyday life in the United States. She describes herself as friendly, open-minded, and curious, and she loves meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Fiona enjoys playing golf, horseback riding, baking cakes, and spending time with animals—especially her three ginger cats. Family is very important to her, and she values traditions, sports, and quality time together. At school, her favorite subjects are history, math, and English, and she dreams of becoming a doctor or a teacher one day. Fiona is eager to become part of her host family, share her German culture, and make lasting memories during her exchange year.

Melina is a cheerful and adventurous girl from a small village in the south of France, where she enjoys a close-knit community and a lively family life. She loves outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, and canyoning—interests she shares with her dad—and also enjoys dancing, cooking delicious treats like crepes and cookies, and spending cozy afternoons with her beloved cat. Melina is excited to come to America because she has always dreamed of discovering new cultures, improving her English, and becoming more independent. She hopes to build meaningful connections, share her French traditions, and experience life in a whole new way during her exchange year.

Meet Leanne from France who loves to sing and dance, and she is part of a kpop dance association back home. She loves cooking or baking and cannot wait to make something for her new host family. She loves animals and enjoys going to the zoo and seeing the lions. Leanne did a year of horseback riding as well. She enjoys long walks and being outdoors. Her friends would describe her as empathetic, mature, organized, sensitive and an honest person that loves to dream. She cannot wait to meet you!

Elsa is a creative and thoughtful student who is both calm and warm once she feels comfortable. She has a strong passion for drawing, especially cartoons, and enjoys expressing herself through art. An active and motivated person, she has played volleyball for four years and values teamwork and personal improvement. Elsa prefers cozy moments such as movie nights, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends over loud social events. Curious about the world, she is eager to discover new cultures and is particularly fascinated by American traditions and holidays. Kind, open-minded, and enthusiastic about learning, Elsa looks forward to meaningful cultural exchange and new experiences.

Mila comes from France with Switzerland with Macedonian roots. She loves discovering new countries and cultures and is very excited to spend an exchange year in the United States. Mila enjoys music, playing the piano, photography, and going to concerts. She is the official photographer of a rugby team and dreams of becoming a concert photographer or a criminologist in the future. Mila loves animals and would be happy to live with a family that has pets! In her free time, she likes spending time with friends, swimming, baking (especially brownies and cinnamon rolls), and discovering new places. Mila is a joyful, open-minded person and looks forward to experiencing American culture, high school life, and traditions like Thanksgiving and Halloween with her host family.