Meet Our Students

Andy is a warm, respectful student from Taiwan whose curiosity and determination shine in everything he does. Raised by educator parents, he’s thoughtful, well‑mannered, and eager to pitch in—whether that’s helping with chores or cooking Taiwanese favorites like egg pancakes and fried rice. A passionate biology student, he’s dedicated to hands‑on learning, from science fairs to field dissections, and dreams of becoming an ophthalmologist. Andy is also a competitive speedcuber, a half‑marathon runner, and a surprisingly talented hand‑flute player who loves making people smile. With his kindness, grit, and genuine desire to be part of family life, he’s the kind of student who fits right into a Southern home. Don’t miss the chance to welcome him before someone else does.

Meet Indira an amazing student from Tajikistan!! She is so excited to meet her new host family for 2026/2027. Indira has worked incredibly hard to have this opportunity. She is ready to embrace this adventure of a new culture and becoming a part of your family. Her intelligence is a true gift; she loves gaining new learning opportunities' so much she is enrolled and taking higher level classes at the age of 16. Her wealth of knowledge gives her a great social aspect on life. She loves meeting people from all aspects of life and just getting to know who they are. She likes to cook and make desserts; she expresses that cooking is her LOVE language and wants to share her love for cooking with her new host family. Support family is important to Indira; she helps teach her younger brothers. She loves to volunteer her time in many different ways, through family or the community. Becoming a doctor is not just a dream but a way of living her life now for her future. She wants to help communities everywhere; you would be her first adventure in a new place. Help Indira grow with becoming a member of your family and host!!

Alberto is a student from a small town in northwest Italy who attends a scientific high school with a sports focus. His program combines academics with sports-related studies, including economics and law of sports, and five hours of physical activity each week. He enjoys his classes, has a good relationship with his classmates, and likes spending time with friends after school. Alberto hopes to study in the United States because he is curious about new cultures, experiences, and sports. He sees this opportunity as a way to grow personally, improve his English, and become more independent. Having already completed a one-month exchange in France, he feels prepared to live away from home and embrace new challenges. Family is very important to Alberto. He lives with his parents, two brothers, and his dog, Frisky, an 8-year-old golden retriever. He loves animals and enjoys walking his dog, visiting his grandparents, traveling, hiking, and cooking with his family. Sports play a major role in Alberto’s life. He learned to ski at age three and enjoys skiing with his family and friends. He has played soccer and basketball and continues to go to the gym regularly. While in the U.S., he hopes to play basketball or soccer again or try new sports. Alberto is excited to learn about American culture, share his daily life with a host family, and build meaningful relationships during his exchange year.

Alexis is from France, where he resides with his parents and younger sister; his older sister is currently studying at college in England. “Being the only guy surrounded by two girls isn't always easy! So, if you have boys around my age in your family, that would be awesome and a lot of fun for me”. Basketball is his passion, and he has been playing for six years, hoping to join the high school team in the U.S. Additionally, Alexis enjoys mountain biking, soccer (position goalie) and water and snow skiing. He often plays chess with his father and has a fondness for other board games too. He is eagerly looking forward to experiencing Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Meet Naila from France!! Naila wants the life adventure of learning American culture and being independent in a new place to discover new people and traditions. Naila is a lover of family time, cooking with family, playing board games and spending quality time is important to her. She loves watching football with her brother and although she isn’t a passionate hiker like her mom, she will go and do it just to spend time with her mom. This shows that Naila is open to trying things for that good old-fashioned family time. Naila is an animal lover as she has 3 cats, she is not a fan of spiders and insects, but she respects them. Naila loves break dancing and ice skating. She has a desire to dance and learn more about dancing. Friends are important to her, and she is excited to make new friends in a new place. French music is a daily listen for Naila, and she is wanting to learn more about American music genres too. Besides her love for winter sports, she is very into fashion. Naila has a strong goal to be a surgeon in her adult life or a radiologist. Combined with her love of biology she wants to help people in need. Let’s open our home to Naila!!!

She’s a dynamic 16-year-old (17 when she arrives) from Italy with a passion for athletics, art, and cultural discovery. A competitive hammer and discus thrower for over a decade, she’s also a dedicated art student who loves painting, drawing, and exploring new techniques. Her hobbies include cooking, caring for animals, watching films and TV series, and learning about music and languages from around the world. She dreams of studying in an American high school to challenge herself, grow independently, and connect deeply with a new culture. Host her—and help her turn curiosity into connection, and talent into transformation.

Doniyor is a high school student from Uzbekistan who comes from a close and supportive family. He enjoys helping at home, spending time with his sisters, and relaxing with family movie nights or evening walks. He has a wide range of interests, especially math, law, economics, and diplomacy, and hopes to study pre-law or international relations in the future. Doniyor loves staying active through sports like soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming, and chess — and he even played on a professional youth soccer team. When he’s not studying or playing sports, Doniyor enjoys filming and editing videos, exploring his city, traveling, and hanging out with friends. He also has a fun and creative hobby: inventing meals using only eggs and potatoes (six so far!), which has earned him jokes about opening a “potato-only restaurant.” He describes himself as positive, curious, and friendly, and he enjoys making people laugh and feel comfortable. Doniyor is excited to experience American culture, improve his English, and build meaningful connections during his exchange year.

Marcos is a cheerful happy person that loves to make others laugh. He is from a small town in Spain and is the youngest with three siblings. All of Marco’s siblings were also exchange students to the United States. He is a mature and well-mannered young man that loves to be outside and has a black belt in martial arts. Marcos loves to cook and play the piano. He is now learning to play the trombone. Marcos likes helping others and sports such as golf and flag football. He balances his love of activity with his love of music and relaxes to recharge his batteries. He is excited about improving his English in America and living with a family that is engaged and has a close relationship. Marcos loves time with others and is looking for a loving family in the United States.

Meet Adelaide from France where she 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”.

Meet Maria, a cheerful, curious, and outgoing student from Italy who loves connecting with people and embracing new adventures. She has been part of scouts since childhood, where she discovered her love for camping, hiking, and learning practical skills like building a fire safely. Her passion for animals' shines through her dedication to horse riding—she finds peace in grooming and caring for horses and dreams of one day owning her own. Creative at heart, Maria enjoys drawing, a hobby inspired by her brother, and she often fills her free time with music from artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter. She also has a Siberian cat named Jimmy and has cared for many pets over the years, reflecting her nurturing spirit. In the summer, she volunteers as a child entertainer, bringing joy and laughter to kids, which shows her patience and kindness. Maria studies languages at school, adding Spanish and German to her English, and hopes her exchange year will help her discover her future path—perhaps as a veterinarian, combining her love for animals with helping others. She is the youngest of three children, all living at home, and treasures the lively, supportive atmosphere of her family. She admires her mom’s dedication as a teacher and runner, her dad’s love for music and reading, and her siblings’ unique passions. Maria is ready to embrace new routines, share her talents, and bring warmth and energy into her host family’s home. Don’t miss the chance to welcome her—you’ll gain not just a student, but a lifelong friend and unforgettable memories!