Meet Our Students

Matea is a FLEX scholarship recipient from Serbia. She shares, “My future, I'd like for it to consist of some kind of design. Ideally, I'd go to college to learn about art and incorporate it in my career. Some form of animation or character design, in movies or games. It's my passion and I just want others to be inspired by my work.” Matea has a wide range of interests connected to the arts: she loves both digital and traditional art. Her passion for video game design was sparked by playing video games with her father when she was younger. She enjoys visiting museums and galleries alongside her mother. In addition to her artistic passions, she has played volleyball for eight years and has formed lasting friendships through tournaments. Matea also delights in attending festivals and concerts, as well as exchanging books with friends. Matea describes herself as open-minded. She contributes to her household with various jobs, while also helping her grandparents on their farm. Matea is very excited about her upcoming exchange program and being a part of your family.

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.

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”.

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 Fanny from France!  Fanny is extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to spend an exchange year in the U.S. It is one of her “biggest dreams” and she has been focused on making it happen since she was young. Spending an exchange year in the U.S. is what has motivated her to study English. Fanny explains that she is extremely grateful for her friends and family and values those relationships highly. Her friends describe her as someone who is very kind, thoughtful, funny, emotional and reliable.  One of her other dreams- going to an American football game and rooting for her team!    She also loves all animals especially her cats Bambou and Ficelle with whom she shares a deep connection.  Fanny loves to do crafts and dance (she is currently on a dance team). She also enjoys the self-discipline she gets from pushing herself at the gym and often clears her head by going for a run. She also enjoys all genres of music.  Baking is also one of Fanny’s hobbies, her specialty is cinnamon rolls because she loves the smell. Fanny is overflowing with energy and excitement; she is more than ready to make the most of her exchange year here in the US. 

More to follow...

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.

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.

Tim describes himself as inquisitive, respectful, and vibrant young individual, always eager to explore new horizons and wholeheartedly engages in every endeavor he undertakes. Tim loves sports, particularly gym workouts/ weight training, running, and swimming. Additionally, he was a member of a JunoMichi sports club, a variant of judo, for 8 years. His artistic side: he loves drawing/art, creative projects and enjoys cooking. Family is very important to Tim. He also has a love for nature and relishes spending time outdoors. During a school internship last year, he had the incredible opportunity to spend a month in Mozambique. “Living away from my usual environment taught me to take initiative, manage my daily life, and adapt to new situations.” He is genuinely excited about discovering the American school system. “My goal is to cultivate genuine bonds with you, sharing laughter, stories, and unforgettable moments while fully integrating into your family.”

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.