Meet Our Students

Meet Candela “Cande” from Spain! She describes herself as a as a caring, responsible, organized, funny and well-educated teenager. She comes from a close knit immediate and extended family. Her hobbies include padel (a sport similar to pickle ball) volleyball, skiing, dancing, reading, playing boardgames and watching movies. Cande recently started attending an international school where she is surrounded by classmates from all different cultures. She stated that she “fell in love with” the US when she visited with her family in order to pick her sister up from camp. She looks forward to learning about our culture, our educational system and participating in new activities through her school and host family. Cande writes, “I think I can bring a positive and caring attitude to your family….I would be very grateful to share my culture and traditions as well as learn from yours.”

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

One of the main reasons why I want to go on an exchange year, is because I hope to grow as a person by becoming more independent, open-minded, and confident! I also hope to meet new people and to make lifelong friends and endless memories. People describe me as a very active person. In my free time, I love playing sports, especially track and field. I participate the most in running events. Recently, my mother and I participated in a competition in Paris, where we ran 20km! Moving my body makes me feel focused and happy and I enjoy challenging myself to improve every time I train. I've always been fascinated by the American culture, traditions, and school life. I'm so excited to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be in a new environment. I'm excited to be part of an American high school and to see what everyday life is like in a host family.

Meet Lori, from central Japan. She is so excited to visit the United States as this will be her very first time abroad! She loves playing soft tennis, making sweets, cooking Japanese food like shogayaki (ginger pork), talking about music with friends, and going for relaxing walks. During her stay, she can’t wait to experience everyday American life and share Japanese culture (and treats!) with her host family. One day, she hopes to become a Japanese teacher. She is truly looking forward to meeting you!

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. 

Meet Julia who 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.

I want to express my deep gratitude for welcoming me into your home for this exchange year in the United States. This exchange represents much more than just a stay: it is a chance to discover a new culture, open myself to new perspectives, create strong bonds, and grow personally. I live close to the ocean, which has allowed me to develop a passion for outdoor activities like surfing. I also love tennis and skiing, two sports I pursue with great enthusiasm! My sister is currently in Montreal (Canada) for her studies. We are very close and I love spending my time with her, and she hears all of my gossip! I really love animals and I have two cats: Gribiche and Axoa who take care of me every day! I am very curious and eager to learn about your culture, traditions, and way of life. I hope to share with you many moments of laughter, discovery, and friendship. I am also excited to improve my English skills and to share with you aspects of French culture, such as our cuisine, customs, and village festivals. I feel so lucky to be able to go to the United States! Thank you for giving me such an incredible opportunity, and I truly understand the value of this unique experience. It will help me grow, mature, and become more responsible. I look forward to meeting you soon and beginning this wonderful adventure!

Camilla is a bright and adventurous French‑Italian student who can’t wait to spend a year in the U.S. She’s excited to discover new cultures, experience everyday American life, and build lasting connections with her host family. Camilla is outgoing and curious—she loves spending time with friends, going to concerts and festivals, cooking, and exploring fashion. Family is very important to her, and she’s especially close to her two sisters. At home, she enjoys caring for her Golden Retriever and turtle, though she does need a cat‑free home due to allergies. Camilla is determined, sociable, and full of energy. Hosting her means welcoming a student who is eager to learn, share her own traditions, and become part of your family’s daily life.

Meet Arthur who has a big desire to continue learning English and the American culture is very important to him. Arthur is a true thinker of the world. He seeks the experience of culture and being a part of the American Schools is exciting to him. He wants to immerse himself in American traditions and all our Holidays. If you celebrate holidays, he is a perfect fit for your family traditions. Arthur, being very open-minded, will embrace all of his time in America. Arthur is athletic and enjoys sport competitions. He has been swimming for a long time. He loves bike riding and hiking or just walking around to see different environments from fields to forest. He feels very connected with the mountains and the beauty of the mountains. His adventurous side takes him to the wild rides of roller coasters, he loves them! He has a great bond with his family and can talk to his mom about anything and enjoys watching and learning sports with his dad. Let’s make Arthur’s wish come true to come to America!

First, I would like to thank you for taking into consideration to let me be a part of your family! I live in a small town where we have many different things to do. My favorite subjects in school are German and religious education. I love to write and reflect on my life in an emotional way. In the USA, I would love to take a creative writing class, film production, or psychology! When I grow up I would love to become a therapist and support people's mental wellness. In my free time, I enjoy gymnastics and playing the piano. My favorite piece to play on the piano is "My Heart Will Go On" from the Titanic! I also love to bake, and my specialty is chocolate chip cookies! I would love to show you how to cook German specialties. While I don't eat meat, I don't mind being around people or family that do! I can't wait to experience popular high schools things like prom, and football games during my exchange year! I also cannot wait to experience my first Thanksgiving. I hope I could give you a little insight into my life and you got to know me a bit better, I am already looking forward to finally get to know you!