Meet Our Students

Cooper is a thoughtful, respectful, and open-minded student from Thailand who is excited about the opportunity to live with a host family in the United States. Growing up in a Thai-international school environment has helped him become adaptable, communicative, and comfortable with people from many different backgrounds, and his previous experience living abroad with a host family in Brisbane, Australia, gave him even more confidence, independence, and ease in adjusting to new environments. His main goal as an exchange student is to improve his English, experience American school and family life, and continue growing through cultural exchange. Sports are a major part of his life, especially basketball, which is one of his greatest passions. He is a member of his school basketball team, was selected as a GBAC All Star, and has also trained in New York, where he was inspired by American basketball culture and coaching. In addition to basketball, he has experience in ice hockey, skiing, badminton, and golf, showing that he enjoys staying active and trying new things. Outside of sports, he enjoys music, is learning to play the guitar, likes watching movies, and occasionally plays video games. Easygoing and not a picky eater, Cooper would bring a positive attitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and genuine excitement to a host family while creating meaningful memories through the exchange experience.

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.

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.

Sacha is a friendly and energetic student from France who is excited about the opportunity to become part of an American family. He describes himself as sociable and open-minded, someone who loves meeting new people and having great conversations. Sacha enjoys spending time with friends, whether it’s going on car rides while singing their favorite songs or staying active together. Sports are a big part of his life, especially Muay Thai boxing, which helps him stay balanced and focused. He is also creative and enjoys drawing, fashion, music, and movies—especially imaginative films like Coraline. At home, Sacha shares a close bond with his older sister and loves caring for his energetic dog Oscar and two cats. “I’m excited to discover your culture, share mine, and create memories together as part of your family.”

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.

I come from the south of France, where the ocean and the mountains are really close to where I live. I have always loved this environment because it allows me to enjoy different activities depending on the season! I have always been interested in different cultures, languages, and ways of life, and I believe that living abroad is one of the best ways to grow personally and academically. I would describe myself as a curious, social, and open-minded person. I enjoy learning, especially when it helps me understand how things work. Outside of school, I have many interests that represent an important part of who I am. I love cooking, as it is a way of sharing, enjoying the moment, and bringing people together. I practice taekwondo once a week on Wednesday. This sport has taught me discipline, respect, and a different way to see life. What excites me most about this year in America is life with you, discovering a new environment and the American culture: sharing meals, talking about our days, and discovering traditions such as Thanksgiving. I want you to feel comfortable with me in your home, and I will always do my best to be positive, respectful, and involved.

Bella is a kind and energetic student who is excited about the opportunity to become part of an American family. She comes from a close-knit home where sharing meals, conversations, and everyday moments together are an important part of life. Bella has spent many years training in rhythmic gymnastics, a sport that has taught her discipline, perseverance, and strong time-management skills. She also enjoys dance and staying active, and loves the teamwork and excitement that comes with sports. Bella values kindness, respect, and communication, and she looks forward to experiencing American school life, joining activities, and learning about new family traditions. She is also excited to share her culture and create meaningful memories with her host family. Bella says, “I hope to become a real part of your family and share many happy everyday moments together.”

Meet Le Yuan from Taiwan.  His name “Lee” means “joyful” in his mother tongue of Mandarin- a name he says fits him well.  He describes himself as a positive, curious person who loves to smile.  He drew inspiration to embark on this adventure after living in the UK for a year with his family, he encountered and overcame cultural differences, learning a lot in the process. That experience taught him to step out of his comfort zone, now that he is a teen he is ready to experience these things on his own, as an exchange student in the US living with a host family.  He described himself as calm and easy-going.  He is also responsible and caring in that he describes routinely helping out around the house, cooking, cleaning and taking out the trash.  He also states that he is extremely grateful for this opportunity and very appreciative. His goals for himself for this exchange year include, making friends, joining clubs, and improving his English. He loves sports- he has been playing soccer since he was six, plays table tennis and enjoys long distance running.  He plays board games too including the game of “Go” an ancient Chinese strategy game. He is excited to meet his new American family!

Hannah is a thoughtful, motivated student from Taiwan who brings a wonderful balance of responsibility, creativity, and warmth. As president of her Applied English Student Association, she’s already shown strong leadership and the ability to manage events and handle pressure with maturity. Outside of school, she stays active through boxing and handstand training and loves cooking everything from traditional Taiwanese dishes to pasta, steak, and curry. She’s also a big fan of musicals—both live and on screen—which she enjoys sharing and discussing with others. Hannah describes herself as 40% outgoing and 60% introverted: she loves exploring with her host family but also respects quiet time to recharge. She adores animals, enjoys trying new things, and is working hard to strengthen her English before arrival. Ready to step out of her comfort zone, she hopes to become a true part of a family’s daily life. Families looking for a capable, kind, and culturally curious student won’t want to miss the chance to host Hannah.

Meet Lilou, from France who lives with her parents, two brothers, and her beloved dog and cat. She has a deep affection for all kinds of animals. Describing herself as energetic, enthusiastic, social, sensitive, and curious, Lilou is thrilled about her upcoming exchange program in the United States. While she enjoys various sports, volleyball is her favorite, and she is an active member of her volleyball club. She appreciates the teamwork and trust that volleyball fosters, saying, “Volleyball has taught me to encourage others, handle pressure, and persevere even when things don’t go perfectly.” In addition to sports, Lilou interests include cinema, creating day vlogs, fashion, playing board games, visiting zoos, ice skating, and camping. She loves embracing new experiences, and bonfires with s'mores would be a great experience for her. Having already participated in a French film, her aspiration is to become an actress and engage in film productions. Lilou is excited to share her culture with you and is eager to assist in the kitchen. “I believe that I can bring a lot of energy, positivity, and joy to your family.”