Meet Our Students

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.

Mariam is an energetic and passionate student from the small country of Georgia who comes from a big, close-knit family where life is filled with music, laughter, and shared moments—from singing along to her guitar to spending time together at the park. A dedicated and hardworking individual, she balances helping at home and caring for her younger brother with an impressive range of interests, including competitive swimming, volunteering, debating, and exploring her love for science and aviation. Social and open-minded, Mariam thrives in diverse friendships, whether with her swim team, school friends, or bandmates, and she enjoys everything from creative projects to meaningful community work. Deeply connected to her hometown yet eager to explore the world, she dreams of a future in aviation and is excited to experience life in the United States—embracing new traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving while sharing the rich culture, food, and spirit of Georgia with her host family.

Ester is a kind, active student from northern Italy who loves family life, outdoor adventures, and sharing meaningful traditions. She’s been a dedicated scout since age seven and enjoys camping, cooking together, singing, and spending time in nature. She’s also sporty—she goes to the gym, loves hiking, snorkeling, and previously practiced figure skating. Ester is very close to her family and hopes to build the same warm connection with her host family. She enjoys music with her dad, shopping or walking with her mom, and watching shows with her younger brother. She’s excited to share Italian culture, stories, and everyday life while learning American traditions from the inside. Friendly, responsible, and eager to experience something new, Ester is ready to become a true part of a 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.

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.

Zuzia is a warm, outgoing student from Poland who loves cooking, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys staying active, reading, and exploring the outdoors, and is especially excited to get involved in school activities like cheerleading or track. Zuzia is eager to experience American life, share her culture (and homemade pierogi!), and become a true part of her host family.

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.”

Curious, thoughtful, and quietly adventurous, Lilith is ready to embrace new experiences and grow along the way. While Lilith may be a little shy at first, she has been challenging herself to step outside her comfort zone—finding joy in conversations, connections, and trying new things. She loves staying active, whether it’s playing tennis, going to the gym, or simply spending time with friends. Music is also an important part of her life, as Lilith enjoys playing piano to relax and unwind. She appreciates both fun family time and moments to recharge, bringing a balanced and respectful presence into a home. Excited to learn, share, and create meaningful memories, Lilith would be a wonderful addition to any host family.

Meet Gabriel from France! He has an older brother and helps his family with the family business of producing champagne which has been the family business since the 1650’s! He says of the work, “Growing up in a family business has strongly influenced the person I am today. For me, it is completely natural to help my parents every weekend and during all school holidays. I work in the vineyards, drive tractors, and take part in various agricultural tasks. I enjoy working with my hands, being resourceful, and feeling useful.” Gabriel loves to play Rugby, and his Christian faith is an integral part of his life. Gabriel is quite the outdoorsman and loves hiking and fishing, particularly fly fishing, and snowboarding. He is also very interested in hunting and hopes to obtain his hunting license soon. He also loves going to museums and historical places with his family. He has a soft spot for his dog and loves all animals. Another passion is beekeeping. Producing his own honey is a huge source of pride for him. Apply to host Gabriel today and enjoy the great outdoors with him and maybe learn some new skills from him!

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”.