Meet Our Students

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Tihalina from France, writes “I want to discover the world not through books or screens, but through smiles, meetings, and everyday gestures.”  She and her family have adopted goats who they refer to as the “Queens of the garden”.  Besides loving her four-legged family members, she enjoys a close-knit home life with her two brothers and dad. She describes herself as independent and enthusiastic.  She has a wide range of interests including music, reading, photography and scouting which she enjoys due the respect for nature and teamwork that it fosters.  She is also very involved in sports and physical activity such as tennis, basketball, ping pong, track, dance, and roller skating.  She is also very dedicated to the philosophy of cultural exchange. She is extremely focused on bringing unique cultural experiences to the table-literally- she loves to cook crepes, kouign-amman and her family’s special recipe from the Southwest of France,  canelés Bordelais.  Tihalina also wants to learn about and take part in such American traditions as Thanksgiving.  Please consider opening your home to a student who is full of appreciation of other cultures and wishes to learn all she can as well as share the uniqueness of her own with you. 

Alexandre is a lively, motivated, and curious teenager from a major city in the south of France. He lives with his parents and younger sister in a bicultural French-Swedish family, which has helped shape his interest in languages, travel, and new cultures. He is a strong student who takes school seriously, with a special love for English and History, especially topics involving wars, major events, and the way the past influences the present. One of his biggest goals is to strengthen his English so he can use it confidently in school, travel, and everyday life. Sports and hobbies play a huge role in Alexandre’s life. He has played tennis since early childhood, holds a blue belt in judo, and recently joined a soccer team, which has quickly become one of his passions. He also enjoys skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and following motorsports, especially Formula 1. Beyond athletics, he loves American pop music, LEGO, Harry Potter, and spending time with friends. Open-minded, humorous, and easygoing, Alexandre would be excited to share his culture, experience life with a host family, and build lasting memories through this opportunity.

Daphne is an exchange student from Taiwan who brings curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm to every opportunity. Raised in a family that deeply values education, she has developed a strong appreciation for learning, cultural exchange, and personal growth. Inspired by her father’s artistic perspective, Daphne finds joy in noticing life’s small details and sharing meaningful moments with others. Music plays an important role in her life. She has participated in choir and a cappella groups, studied piano, and is currently learning guitar. Daphne enjoys connecting with others through conversation, books, and shared interests. She is eager to experience the American education system, explore subjects such as business, writing, and drama, and immerse herself in new traditions while proudly sharing Taiwanese culture — especially the joy and celebration of Lunar New Year. Energetic and ambitious, Daphne looks forward to growing academically and personally while building lasting connections during her exchange year.

Félicien is a motivated and sociable student who grew up in Belgium and now lives in France near the Swiss and German borders, giving him a strong appreciation for different cultures. A passionate basketball player for 14 years, he also referees games and coaches younger players, which has helped him develop leadership, patience, and responsibility. Félicien enjoys staying active, spending time with friends and family, and trying new experiences, including water skiing in the summer. Excited to experience American culture, he looks forward to becoming part of a host family while sharing his European background and love of sports.

Zilola is a creative fun-loving student that lives in a large city in Uzbekistan. She has a large extended family of cousins, and her grandmother is next door, so they spend a lot of time together over meals. Zilola loves to cook and wants to share this love with her American family. Zilola is part of an American English support class and helps others with the language. She is excited to practice her English in the U.S. and wants to learn the culture, while sharing hers. Zilola has tried many sports (water polo, karate, taekwondo, swimming, and dancing) and wants to stay healthy and fit during her exchange program, by trying new things. She considers herself an orderly and neat student, so she will always keep her room clean and loves to help around the house, when possible.

Marcell is a thoughtful and motivated student who enjoys learning and trying new things. He has a strong interest in computer science, politics, and business, and stays involved at school through clubs like business, chemistry, and advanced math. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano and spending time with friends. Marcell is organized, helpful, and naturally curious, often stepping in to assist teachers with technical tasks. He enjoys being social but also appreciates a calm, comfortable home environment. As Marcell shares, “Going to the U.S. has always been a dream of mine—I want to experience what American high school life is really like.” He is looking forward to becoming part of a host family, building meaningful connections, and growing through this experience. Marcell would feel most comfortable in a pet-free home.

Martina is from Italy and brings a thoughtful, creative, and caring personality to everything she does. She has a wide range of interests that reflect both her artistic side and her love for staying active. Martina enjoys playing the piano, drawing, swimming, and going for long walks outdoors—especially when she can be surrounded by nature. One of Martina’s greatest passions is animals. She would be especially excited to join a host family with a dog, as she would love taking it on long walks and spending time outdoors together. At home, Martina is already used to caring for animals—she has five cats, and at her dad’s house, she also helps care for a rabbit and three chickens. In her free time, Martina enjoys playing pool and reading, especially romance novels like The Truth Untold by Rokia. She is also deeply interested in biotechnology and dreams of one day working as a technician in a laboratory. Martina can clearly picture herself in a lab coat, analyzing substances and exploring the scientific world. As a second career path, she is also passionate about fitness and would consider becoming a personal trainer, as she enjoys spending time at the gym and staying healthy. Martina is excited about the opportunity to experience life in the United States. She looks forward to becoming part of a host family, sharing her Italian culture, improving her English, and creating meaningful memories during this unique cultural exchange.

Laureen is a kind and curious 15-year-old from Réunion Island who is excited to join an American host family. Having lived in London, she is comfortable with English and eager to experience U.S. high school life. She enjoys dance, running, and creative hobbies, and is helpful at home with daily chores. Though a bit shy at first, Laureen is adaptable, respectful, and excited to share her culture while becoming part of your family.

To learn more about me, please see my Dear Host Family Letter!