Meet Our Students

Meet Luana who is from an Italian city bursting with history and postcard-perfect scenes. Italian born and Peruvian at heart, she shares her lively home with her mom, stepdad, two sisters, her rabbit, and a hamster named Taco. Luana describes herself as active, cheerful, curious and positive, a bit shy at first, then she becomes very sociable. She is a very responsible and reliable person. Luana loves hanging out with friends but also treasures her quiet moments. She enjoys going to the gym and having a healthy lifestyle. She has played volleyball for 2 years, she enjoys being part of a team. Her downtime she enjoys being with friends, music with happy vibes, and quality family time. She enjoys cooking especially desserts and lasagna is her favorite, and she also looks forward to making Peruvian dishes. At school, Law is her favorite subject. She keeps her room tidy “because I like living in an organized space and I work hard to do this every day”. She's got it all figured out—or at least seems like she does!

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!

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 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.

Lotte—is a kind, upbeat, and adventurous student from the Netherlands. She loves connecting with others, helping out, and bringing positive energy into any home. A passionate singer and actress, she has years of musical experience and hopes to join a school musical or try a new sport in the U.S. Lotte enjoys spending time with family, cooking, baking, traveling, and staying active at the gym. She’s responsible, helps with chores, and is excited to share Dutch traditions while embracing American culture—from football games to holidays. With her warm personality, love of laughter, and eagerness to grow, Lotte is ready to become a true member of a host family. Choose her now—you won’t want to miss the chance to welcome her into your home.

I'm incredibly excited (and a bit nervous) about the opportunity to spend a year with you and to discover American life from the inside. I've always had this dream, and I can't wait for it to come true! At school, I am very motivated, and I have even already begun prepping my university applications. I enjoy challenging myself and learning new things, but I also love to have fun and meet new people! I would say I'm someone who adapts easily to new situations and environments. I love to cook with my family, even when we try new recipes that don't always turn out "Instagram worthy"! One of my favorite hobbies is skiing--it makes me feel free and full of energy! One of the things I'm most excited about is experiencing American traditions with you, like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. We celebrate them very differently in France, so I am very curious. I hope to build unforgettable memories with you, to learn a lot about your way of life, and to bring joy, curiosity, and positive energy to your home.

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.

For more information about me, check out my Host Family Letter!

Introducing Emma 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.

I'd be so happy if I could have the opportunity to be with you for a school year! I would consider myself to be curious, friendly, and reliable. My dad and I share a great passion for music, even if we have different tastes. He likes rock music and I like alternative pop music. Since I was a kid, my mum cooked organic and healthy meals, which has helped me to care about the future of our planet. In fact, I'm trying to do some little things like not eating meat. I learned to cook some vegetarian dishes with my sister! I really love animals, and I have two little dogs and a bunny that live free in my bedroom. I'm a quite active person, I go horse riding which has been a part of my life since I was eight. Sometimes I participate in horse riding competitions, where my speciality is jumping. I'd love to live like an American girl and try a new school reality, but also a different lifestyle! I will be happy to share my culture, experiences, and traditions with you.