Meet Our Students

Anda is a well-rounded boy from Estonia who truly wants to be a member of your family! He loves Basketball, has been playing it for 6 years, and now plays for one of the top Basketball teams in Estonia. He said he didn’t start out as a great player, but he worked on improving his skills. He said that he has learned the value of discipline and teamwork as a result, and that he has also learned resilience. He also enjoys fitness, working out, and walking outdoors. He is a good student. He said that while he is not an accomplished chef, he does enjoy cooking, and he would love to cook some traditional Estonian dishes for his host family. Could that family be your family?

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!

Riccardo is a big fan of animals, especially dogs and his cat. In his free time, he loves working out at the gym or playing sports. He has played tennis, and soccer, and is looking forward to participating in American sports. Riccardo is passionate about discovering new cultures and exploring their cuisine. He is looking forward to eating a lot of different American foods and also cooking his favorite traditional Italian dishes for his host family. Riccardo has been a scout since he was 9 years old. One of the joys of being a scout is volunteering with the elderly and children. He says it gives him the opportunity to give back to his community and allows him to see them smile and be happy. He finds it very rewarding. Riccardo is so excited to have the opportunity to spend a semester in American and looks forward to learning more about his host family's culture and cuisine.

Flex Scholarship recipient Ulugbek describes himself as an ambitious, open minded, and sociable person. Ulugbek spends his time volunteering at the American Corner where he gives presentations on various topics like chess and professional development. In his free time Ulugbek enjoys reading a variety of books, his favorite author is James Clear. Because of his fondness of reading Ulugbek helps organize the books in the library at American Corner. Ulugbek is very helpful at home by helping in the garden, keeping his room clean, and taking out the trash daily. Ulugbek is eager to spend a year in the U.S. to learn more about the American culture and share with your family about his country and traditions. He looks forward to seeing you soon!

Nurazim comes from a large family, he has three brothers and one sister. He enjoys spending time with his family, as they are very close. As a family, they enjoy playing board games and being in the outdoors, hiking. One of his greatest passions is playing the Dombyra, this is the national instrument of Kazakhstan. He has been playing since he was 13 years old. “When I play, I feel our culture come alive.” This is something he desires to share with his host family. He describes himself as very active. He enjoys the sports of soccer and table tennis. He hopes to have a future studying engineering, where he can create something new to help society. He looks forward to the opportunity that exchange will bring him in making a connection with a close-knit family on the other side of the world. He knows that this exchange experience will help unify Kazakhstan’s and the United States in understanding more of one another's cultures and traditions.

Mina is a vibrant and outgoing 15-year-old from Taiwan where she lives with her parents and younger brother. She is known for her love of animals, nature, and adventure. An experienced horseback rider, she enjoys hiking, playing badminton, and singing. As a member of her school's pop music and basketball interest clubs, Mina thrives on creativity and teamwork. Her compassion shines through her volunteer work as a foster family for guide dogs, where she learned responsibility and empathy. Mina is eager to share her Taiwanese heritage while embracing American culture, making new friends, and trying new activities. With her positive energy, curiosity, and global perspective, Mina looks forward to growing through this exchange program and creating unforgettable memories with her host family. Don't miss the chance to welcome Mina into your home—regret is guaranteed if you let this extraordinary opportunity pass!

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!

LinLin is a cheerful and friendly Thai girl who looks forward to the way her Catholic school celebrates Christmas each year. She writes in her letter that she looks forward to celebrating an “American style Christmas” with her host family! She lives with her father, mother, and her younger brother. She anticipates that being an exchange student will teach her a lot and will help her grow in confidence and life skills. LinLin’s motto is: “If you try and put your heart into it, you can do it”. She loves to play Badminton, and she loves to cook! She writes that she gets along well with others. Wouldn’t you like to welcome LinLin into your family so she can help you learn about Thailand?

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.

Presenting an impressive YES scholarship girl from Bangladesh! She writes that her supportive parents are totally behind her desire to study in the United States. She also writes that she is eager to learn, and that she wants to be a positive presence while she is here. She said that she enjoys acting and drama, and that she is a member of some Debate Groups and Olympiads, but that she hopes to become an astrophysics researcher. She said she has enjoyed working on her Leadership and communication skills, which she wants to expand upon during her time here.