Meet Our Students

Meet from Arstenbek (16) 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.

Meet Julia (16) she brings a unique perspective to the program as a German student from a Polish background.  In school she speaks German, at home she speaks Polish.  She is proud of her Polish heritage, and her family celebrates many Polish traditions.  She would love to cook traditional Polish foods with her future host family including pierogies and chicken soup. Julia describes a very close-knit family life in which she enjoys shopping with her mom and helping with the housework. She is also very close with her dad and her older brother as well, even though he is now an adult living on his own. She is also a proud dog sister who loves and cares for her furry family member, Daisy.   Her goals for herself in this program revolve around becoming part of her host family, joining their life and being part of their everyday activities. She also talks about wanting to use this experience to grow as a person, “I believe this experience will help me grow as a person, understand myself better and become more independent and braver.” She loves experiencing other cultures and would one day like to work in tourism or for an international company.  Julia’s hobbies include swimming, she loves the water, going to the gym, cooking, watching movies and spending time with friends in nature.

Adelaide (16) – France Adelaide lives with her father, mother, and younger brother, and their family bond is very strong, playing a “huge part” in her life. She describes herself as joyful, funny, and smart, though she can be a bit reserved when tired, responsible and somewhat competitive, Adelaide has a wide range of interests including: Tennis, Running, Dancing, Music, Singing, Pilates and going to the gym. Currently, she attends a boarding school with approximately 700 students. During her stay in the United States, she hopes to join a choir and the dance team. In her free time, she enjoys reading detective novels and watching detective and medical series. She has explored India and aspires to find a future career that allows her to uncover new places and have unique experiences. “So, to start these dreams, I want to start with the United States, because it’s iconic and full of diversity”.

Emie is from a small French beach town and loves to meet new people and explore new cultures. She loves running, swimming, drawing, and enjoying time with family. Emie is the oldest sibling and has one younger brother. She also likes dogs and especially cats. Emie speaks English and French and wants to become more bilingual by living with an American family. She is a sunny, happy person that loves to help others and is excited about experiencing the American dream.

Álvaro (16) resides in a quaint city in northern Spain, rich with over 2,000 years of history. He considers himself an open-minded and curious individual, always eager to learn. Álvaro and his family have adopted a beautiful mixed-breed puppy they rescued from a shelter. For the past two years, he has volunteered at the same shelter, walking abandoned dogs. In his free time, Álvaro enjoys working out at the gym and is a devoted soccer fan. He is excited to learn about American sports, particularly the NBA. Another significant passion of his is skiing; he has been skiing for several years and has recently begun exploring off-piste trails (not permitted on program). “I love the feeling of freedom and personal challenge as I go down the mountain. Overall, I truly enjoy outdoor sports, especially in winter.” Additionally, Álvaro participates in tennis and karate competitions, both of which he has been involved in for several years. “I love the speed and strategy of tennis, and karate has taught me discipline, respect, and how to remain calm.” History is his favorite subject. Álvaro is determined to make the most of his experiences, enhance his English skills, discover new perspectives, and create unforgettable memories!

Aishabibi is a kind‑hearted, thoughtful 16‑year‑old 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.

Gaia is from a small town in Italy. She is a happy confident 16-year-old with an older brother and parents that are very close. She loves to dance and trains twice a week and practices in her room to stay fit and healthy. She loves being close to the sea and spends meals with her family daily. This is a huge part of her culture and she would love to share it with a new host family. Gaia loves to cook and would love to make Italian dishes for her new American family. She is excited to learn about a new culture and wants to improve her English. Gaia hopes to be a part of a close-knit family in the U.S.

Meet Lina (15) a semester student from Germany. Lina is close with her mother, father, adult sister and younger sister.  Family is very important to Lina. She has monthly dates with her mom when they make time to do things together such as laser tag or hiking. Lina also loves her dog Buddy, whom she is responsible for taking care of.  She describes herself as an independent, open-minded person who likes challenging herself and stepping outside of her comfort zone.  She considers herself a perfectionist when it comes to her grades and personal goals. She spends her free time with a large friend group; however, she has a best friend who is very important to her. She loves cooking. She enjoys watching movies and her favorite genres are romance and horror.   Lina plays tennis and does yoga. She plays the piano and going to concerts. Lina writes, “Thank you very much for considering hosting me and for opening your home to an exchange student. I would be very grateful to become part of your family and share this special experience together.” 

Introducing Emma, (17) from France, who is bursting with excitement for her upcoming year in America—an opportunity she has eagerly waited for many years. Emma lives in France with her parents, younger brother, and their beloved cat, Nala. She describes herself as a “cheerful and open-minded person who delights in both the small everyday joys and the thrill of new adventures”. She sees herself as “funny, kind, honest, and sensitive.” Emma loves to travel. She is a huge fan of Star Wars, and a memorable moment was when her parents reenacted the iconic scene between Anakin and Padmé in Italy, creating unforgettable memories. In addition to her adventurous spirit, Emma enjoys baking treats like cookies, cakes, and desserts. She has a creative side, engaging in various handcraft activities, and she is passionate about music and playing the piano. In terms of sports, she enjoys snow skiing and basketball. She is eagerly anticipating her time in American schools, looking forward to joining clubs, sports teams, and other activities.

Martina (Marti) is a sunny, animal-loving student from Italy who’s passionate about understanding people and their behavior. She studies human sciences, rides horses competitively, and enjoys skiing, gymnastics, and cooking homemade pizza with her Dad. When she was 10, she spoke with a girl who had just returned from an exchange year in the U.S.—and from that moment, it became her dream to do the same. Now, she’s excited to finally make it happen! Marti looks forward to learning about American culture, making new friends, and growing through this experience. She hopes to be part of a warm, welcoming family and can’t wait to share laughter, traditions, and everyday life together. If you're looking for a joyful, curious, and caring student to share your home and heart with—Marti is ready to become part of your family.