Meet Our Students

Zhibek, from Kyrgyzstan, is deeply passionate about cycling, whether riding solo or with friends. She loves the sense of freedom it gives her to explore new routes, breathe in the fresh air, and discover hidden gems in her city. When cycling with friends, she enjoys finding picturesque spots for picnics, where she can also practice her photography skills. As someone who truly appreciates the outdoors, she also finds joy in gardening. Tending to a garden has taught her responsibility and the value of caring for something over time. As a middle child, Zhibek plays an active role in helping her mother and sisters keep their home clean and organized. She also finds cooking to be a joyful family activity, especially when preparing traditional Kyrgyz dishes like plov, the national dish. She looks forward to sharing her culture with her host family by teaching them how to make plov and introducing them to Kyrgyz traditions. In addition to cooking, she hopes to play table tennis with her host family, a game she enjoys. Zhibek is highly motivated to learn and grow, particularly in improving her English. She recently earned first place in her school's English Language Olympiad, a testament to her dedication. She aspires to pursue a career in psychology, where her strong desire to help others will be a valuable asset. Volunteering brings her great joy, as she finds fulfillment in making a difference in people’s lives. Having already experienced life away from home while attending a Turkish high school, Zhibek feels well prepared to study abroad. This experience has made her independent and adaptable to new environments. She is excited about the opportunity to become part of an American family, immerse herself in a new culture, and continue her journey of learning and personal growth.

Isis is a passionate cinema buff from a small town in France who loves to talk and equally loves to listen. Super motivated, she loves reading, writing, and dance (though now it is more in her own bedroom than on a stage). As one who is thoughtful and empathetic, Isis loves planning parties and celebrations for her family and friends. She cannot wait to experience all the celebrations in America, especially her first ever Thanksgiving! With three older brothers, nieces and nephews, super close friends, and parents that she absolutely adores, she is grateful for the life she has. Her family and friends have given her the support she needs to leave her comfort zone and live out her dream of coming to America - and she can't wait to meet you!

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.

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.

Andero is an enthusiastic and adventurous individual from the southeastern part of Estonia. Excited about exploring new cultures and traditions, he is embarking on a journey as an exchange student in the United States. He is fascinated by American holidays like Halloween and the extravagant Christmas decorations, as well as the dynamic spirit of school sports and community involvement. A lifelong football enthusiast, who has played the sport for over a decade and cherishes the memories of being part of a historic tournament win with his team. Although currently on a break due to an injury, he channels his passion for fitness into kickboxing and gym training, which have transformed his strength and confidence. Beyond sports, he is a skilled cook who enjoys experimenting with new recipes, a talent passed down from his mother, a former baker. He is also a great listener and communicator, valuing deep connections and meaningful conversations. With his curious nature and open heart, Andero looks forward to making new friends, experiencing American culture, and creating unforgettable memories during his exchange program. This journey is a stepping stone toward his dream of learning and growing while sharing his own culture and traditions with the world.

Ally is a vibrant and creative individual whose life is fueled by a wide range of passions. Her love for animals—especially horses—shaped nine years of cherished memories in horse riding, where she found freedom and excitement. Though she now enjoys running and other activities like skiing and go-karting, her connection to horses remains strong. As a naturally creative soul, Ally expresses herself through cooking, drawing, nail art, and personalized crafts like birthday cards and lettering. Cooking with her grandmother since childhood has inspired her adventurous culinary spirit, which she now shares with her best friend, making each meal a fun-filled experiment. A romance book lover, Ally pairs her reading with a diverse taste in music, enjoying artists like Anna Pepe, Olivia Rodrigo, and Post Malone. Her friendly and outgoing nature makes her an expert in building meaningful connections, and she relishes the chance to meet new people and explore new cultures. Dreaming of becoming an event planner, Ally’s eye for beauty and design complements her love for organizing creative experiences. Her fascination with languages and travel has taken her to exciting places like New York, deepening her love for "America". She can't wait to meet you and learn more about your family.

Diego is excited to come to America and share some of his Italian culture with you. He is the middle child of two brothers, and he is very close to his immediate family and extended family. Within his large family, he is considered to be very patient with his younger cousins. Living near the Sea, they spend a lot of time there together playing volleyball, handball, and tennis. He likes to play video games but is also very active as well. He plays competitive handball, where he trains several days a week and participates in competitions on the weekends. In his free time, you may find him skiing or swimming in the sea. He finds delight in cooking all kinds of Italian dishes, but he really hopes to show his American family the art of making classic Italian Pasta and introduce you to some of his favorite Italian pop music. He loves animals and in his own home he has a funny cat. He is excited to come to America and partake in all the culture, but also to bring his Italian culture to your family.

Meet Ines is from France, whose greatest passion is cinema. She dreams of making it her career, as she is fascinated by storytelling, cinematography, and the emotions that movies create. In 2024, she had the incredible opportunity to intern in the film industry, where she gained insight into behind-the-scenes jobs and even met a famous French actor from Jurassic World (2015). This experience deepened her love for filmmaking and strengthened her desire to explore the American film industry, known for its global influence. Beyond cinema, Ines has a deep appreciation for all creative arts. She enjoys expressing herself through music, dance, storytelling, drawing, and painting. For the past five years, she has been a member of her school’s choir, performing in concerts at renowned churches in Paris and touring different regions of France. She was even part of a film released in 2023, Second Tour. Recently, she began learning to play the piano and hopes her host family will share her love of music. She is passionate about traveling and discovering new cultures and is eager to experience life in the United States. She understands that adapting to a different culture and education system will be a challenge, but she embraces it with enthusiasm. Her friends describe her as cheerful, curious. At home, Ines enjoys helping her family with cooking, caring for their two cats and dwarf hamster, and keeping their house tidy. She looks forward to sharing her French traditions with her host family. She is especially excited about experiencing American traditions. She also loves outdoor activities, whether it’s hiking, exploring new places, or spending time at the beach, in the mountains, or at a park. More than anything, she sees this exchange as an opportunity to create meaningful bonds with her host family. Whether through game nights, shared meals, or conversations about different cultures, she hopes to build lasting memories and gain a deeper understanding of American life. Ines is excited for this new adventure and

Louna is a bright, curious, friendly, and energetic student from France. In her words, Louna says “I really want to get out of my comfort zone, change my routine, and go on an adventure.” She loves sports, playing handball since she was 7, enjoys volleyball for the teamwork aspect, and surfing for the feeling of freedom out on the water. Louna also enjoys music, walks, cooking, laughing, and board games. She likes helping others so much that she became a Lifeguard and is first aid certified! Excited for lots of things in America, Louna mentioned getting to experience soccer games and the holidays here. Since she is so close to her mother, father, and sisters, she cannot wait to get to know you as well, making memories she believes will last a lifetime!

Oybek is a FLEX Scholarship student from Uzbekistan! He describes himself as an extrovert who enjoys football and debate. He established a Debate Club, where he practices public speaking and improvisation, and he co-founded the SpeakEasy Club to improve English and public speaking skills. He also serves as an IELTS Mock Speaking Examiner, helping others practice their speaking abilities. Oybek writes: “My friends would describe me as extroverted, energetic, goal-oriented, and a good conversationalist.” He said he wants to study economics or business management. He is allergic to orchard grass.