Meet Our Students

Introducing Tan, an enthusiastic girl from Thailand who loves all animals except for reptiles! She loves music of all genres, being in nature, and children. She says that being in nature brings her peace. She wants to study business, economics, or accounting so she can help support her family’s business. She wrote: “I chose the field of business because I value creativity and freedom in my work. I enjoy thinking of new ideas and finding solutions, which is why I believe business studies will suit me well. Additionally, I’m excited to develop language skills that will help me communicate in professional and social settings alike, making it easier to work with people from various cultures and backgrounds.” Tan also wrote that changing schools taught her resiliency and adaptability.

Say Bonjour to Eva! Eva describes herself as a hardworking, sociable, motivated girl who is always smiling. Eva is a very active girl who spends three to four days a week at the gym working on her gymnastics. She spends a lot of her weekends participating in competitions and has competed at a national level for several years. Eva enjoys running and swimming as well and feels that being a part of sports allows her to move, escape, and decompress. In her free time Eva is an avid Formula 1 race watcher and has a passion for cars. Eva has had a dream of becoming an exchange student for many years and has selected to come to the United States because of all the diversity. Eva believes living with a host family for ten months will be an unforgettable experience.

Meet Gaspard, a 17-year-old French student who dreams of a career in logistics and trading. Growing up as the middle child, Gaspard has always had to navigate his place between his two brothers, but it’s helped him develop resilience and a strong sense of self. Gaspard’s personality is one of constant energy and positivity, with a natural ability to bring smiles to those around him. Whether it’s through his sense of humor, his love for soccer, or his enthusiasm for rap music, he’s always the first to spark laughter and lighten the mood. He says, "I like making people laugh if they are not energetic then I try to liven them up thanks to my sense of humor." Through his work-study program, Gaspard has matured, learning to balance hard work with moments of fun and laughter. He looks forward to the possibility of spending a year with a host family, where he can build meaningful relationships, improve his language skills, and share his passions for sports, music, and humor with others.

Meet Belle, a lovely 16-year-old, from Thailand. She lives at home with her grandmother, parents and her dog. Belle describes herself as friendly and humble. She likes to spend time with friends and family, help with chores and cook with family. She enjoys all types of activities. Sports and listening to music are two of her top favorites. She has played in the school band as well as participated in volleyball and basketball. She likes to stay active and engaged in the community. Belle writes, "I want to study subjects that are not available in Thailand, and I want to try activities that I have never done before..." She is excited to become a member of your family.

As the fun and spontaneous youngest member of his family, Nathan brings joy and humor to all he encounters near his home in France. Passionate about hobbies such as Krav Maga, working out at the gym, travelling, music and video editing, Nathan enjoys a wide variety of activities. Nicknamed the "Globetrotter," he recently completed a challenging backpacking adventure with his family, showing how he enjoys getting out of his comfort zone to develop his adaptability and resilience. Up for anything, Nathan enjoys everything from amusement parks to reading a good book. His favorite subjects are Philosophy, which allows him to think deeply about ideas, and English which will come in very handy! He cannot wait to "live an unforgettable adventure" with your family!

Aruzhan is a bright and enthusiastic 16-year-old from Kazakhstan, excited to immerse herself in American culture and share her own traditions during her exchange year. She comes from a close-knit family, including her parents, two brothers, and a younger sister, with whom she spends weekends attending events, visiting malls, or cooking traditional Kazakh dishes. She would love to introduce her host family to these delicious recipes as part of a cultural exchange. At home, Aruzhan enjoys cooking, reading, and learning new skills, especially ones that expand her knowledge and perspective. She has a passion for volleyball, often playing with her friends while enjoying the beauty of her city’s breathtaking sunsets. She is particularly passionate about languages and is currently studying both English and French, with dreams of becoming a translator. She hopes for a future career that allows her to travel and connect with people from diverse cultures. Through this exchange program, she aims to improve her language skills, build lasting friendships, and the rich culture of Kazakhstan with her host family, from its delicious food to its unique traditions and stories.

Starr is an enthusiastic and creative exchange student from Taiwan with a deep passion for the arts. Born in California, she spent several years in the U.S. before moving to Taiwan, giving her a unique perspective on both cultures. She is excited to return to America, not only to experience the culture but also to share her own, especially through Taiwanese cuisine. Starr has been learning to cook traditional dishes and is eager to introduce others to the flavors of Taiwan. A true art enthusiast, Starr loves music, dance, and drawing. Her dream is to become a stage technician, a career that allows her to combine her creativity with problem-solving skills. She enjoys the challenges that come with stage production and is eager to learn more about the technical aspects of theater. In addition, she is currently learning to play the guitar, further expanding her artistic talents. She is a huge fan of K-pop, with Seventeen being her favorite group. She also loves spending time with friends and her cousin, making cherished memories with those closest to her. Despite her parents’ busy schedules, she values the moments they can share a home-cooked meal together. One of her favorite pastimes is cuddling with her friend’s big golden retriever—she absolutely adores large dogs and even enjoys watching dog videos for fun. She is also an avid table tennis player and has even competed in tournaments. Starr has an easy-going personality and finds that if there are differences with people the best solution is to always be respectful and just talk about it. Starr hopes to have this experience in America where she can learn more about your holidays and traditions and also share about some of hers like Lunar Year.

Meet Laith, a recipient of the prestigious YES scholarship, who wants to share insights about his home in Jordan. “I want to explain how people perceive our lives and how we actually live,” he says. Laith is passionate about robotics and coding, and he aspires to participate in various contests while in America. He stays active and enjoys fishing and learning about cars by attending car shows. During his time in America, Laith hopes to make many friends, which will provide him with opportunities to share his experiences from Jordan and improve his English fluency. At home, he has various responsibilities, but he also seeks ways to help keep the house running smoothly. Maintaining a tidy room is very important to him. Laith looks forward to creating wonderful memories with his host family and hopes to cook some traditional dishes for them.

Tameem (15) resides in the West Bank with his parents, brother, and sister. They share a close-knit bond and enjoy many activities together. Tameem contributes at home by assisting with laundry, cleaning, and occasionally cooking. His interests include playing and watching football, video games, and enjoying movies and TV shows. He also loves taking walks and hiking with friends. Tameem lives in a small community where almost everyone knows one another. After high school, he hopes to pursue further studies at university, with a keen interest in medicine or renewable energy. Tameem describes himself as a "strong, independent, and responsible person." He is excited to learn about the American culture and becoming a part of your family.

Dilan (16), cheerful, curious and animal lover from France, shares her home with her mother and cat. She chose to pursue her program in the USA because she loves speaking English and considers it her dream country. Passionate about horses, Dilan says, “If I could, I would be at the stable all the time, surrounded by horses.” After school, she enjoys hitting the gym. Having taken singing lessons as a child, she loves to sing during her free time. Dilan has a keen interest in traveling and exploring new cultures. Although she has an older brother and sister, it’s usually just her and her mother (along with their cat at times) who embark on trips together. Dilan is eager to learn about American schools this French girl loves Japanese food for example Maki.