Meet Our Students

Léa, a 17-year-old student from a charming village in France, radiates warmth and positivity. Growing up in a loving environment with her mother, grandparents, and three cherished cats, she has developed strong values and a cheerful personality. Currently in the STMG program, focused on economics, law, and communication, Léa is passionate about working with people and creating memorable experiences. She has lead groups of children during holidays—a role she thrives in with her natural leadership and enthusiasm. Léa loves skiing, the mountains, the beach, and traveling, finding joy in nature and adventure. Eager to immerse herself in American culture, she dreams of celebrating traditions like Thanksgiving while sharing her French heritage through cuisine and language. Léa’s social, spontaneous, and thoughtful nature promises a delightful cultural exchange filled with laughter, discovery, and unforgettable moments for her host family. You will not regret choosing her as your host student!

Sixtine has a heartfelt letter to her American host family, a 17-year-old from France, eager to spend a year with a host family in the United States. She shares her close-knit family background, her love for outdoor activities, and her commitment to building relationships through activities like sports and spending time with loved ones. Sixtine describes herself as curious, determined, and open-minded, with a deep passion for learning and self-improvement. Whether cooking with her grandmothers or taking care of a little boy, she values responsibility and takes pride in helping others. Sixtine is an excellent student with a love for literature and foreign languages, and she dreams of becoming a lawyer to fight for justice. Her passion for American culture and her desire to experience life in the U.S. make her eager to immerse herself in a new environment, learn, and share her own culture with a welcoming host family.

Meet Juste, a 10th grade student from Lithuania who is full of energy, curiosity, and a deep love for connecting with others. Her friends often describe her as empathetic, talkative, and full of life — someone who always brings positive energy into a room. Juste is the middle child in a close-knit family with two sisters, one older and one younger. She shares a strong bond with both her parents. With her mother, she loves spending time in the kitchen cooking and having heart-to-heart conversations. Her dad is the one who introduced her to billiards and the music of his youth, which played a huge role in shaping her current taste in music. She also loves her animals, she has a dog, cat and fish. Juste has always enjoyed exploring new hobbies. She’s tried everything from skateboarding to kickboxing to handicrafts, but the passions that have truly stuck are dance, music, and photography. She has been taking piano lessons for several years and many of her friends are very interested in music, she is even making a music video for her friends' band. Photography has become one of her greatest passions and she has even had some of her work published. She’s also a fan of movies and a frequent reader, especially of books in English. Ever since her first concert in 2019, she fell in love with the thrill of live music and hopes to have the opportunity to attend a concert in the US. She loves exploring her city and discovering new places. For Juste, spending a year in the United States would be more than just an exciting adventure — it would be a life-changing experience. She’s eager to see what American high school life is like, from new classes and school spirit to traditions like homecoming and prom. But more than anything, she’s looking forward to becoming part of a host family’s world — sharing her culture, creating new memories, and truly experiencing life in a new community. She hopes this year will help her discover more about herself, make lasting friendships, and return home with stories she’ll never forget.

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 16-year-old FLEX scholarship student Andjelina from Serbia who lives in a beautiful small town with her parents, younger sister, two cats, and a dog. In her home, she is responsible for keeping her room clean, but she also helps with other household chores. Andjelina has known most of her friends since childhood, and they enjoy spending time at a nearby playground and café. They also make their own board games with funny rules, have sleepovers, and water balloon fights in the summertime. Her favorite TV shows and movies are dramas and thrillers from the 90s or 2000’s and she enjoys starting her day with jogging and other aerobic exercise. She volunteers by tutoring children at an elementary school and babysitting her 2-year-old nephew. She attends an economic high school and plans to continue in that field at university. As an exchange student, she wants to take cooking classes, join a film club, and try cheerleading or sports, but most of all wants to learn more about American culture and traditions. “I adore children, and they make me the happiest, and they bring the best out of me.”

Zofia is a Polish girl who wrote in her letter to her host family that she is greatly attracted to the theme of Thanksgiving, of showing appreciation to those close to us. She said she is also curious about the Thanksgiving dishes that comprise the meal. Since she likes to cook, she will probably be more than happy to help cook with you and your family this coming Thanksgiving! She wrote that cooking relaxes her, helps her decompress, and that she enjoys learning about different dishes. Zofia also emphasized that she loves to see her extended family members during the holidays. She said she enjoys sports, particularly karate, and that she looks forward to playing basketball or softball during her year in the United States. She wrote that she is interested in learning more about finance and economics, in part because those subjects require analytical thinking and also offer a variety of career possibilities. Zofia is attracted to urban life with lots of cultural and academic diversity, “somewhere where I can combine my studies with building strong connections with like-minded people, who will elevate and push each other towards success.”

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!

Meet Yerassyl, a 10th-grade student from a culturally rich and diverse city in Kazakhstan. Growing up in a family that cherishes togetherness and values, Yerassyl is the youngest among four siblings and the cherished favorite at home. His close-knit family shares a love for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and enjoys bonding over creative pursuits, such as painting and crafting stunning wall pictures. Despite his siblings pursuing their own paths—some married, others studying in different cities—Yerassyl remains a key pillar of his household, taking on responsibilities with diligence and care. Yerassyl’s multifaceted interests span across Taekwondo, football, and painting. He channels his passion for football by leading a school-founded football club alongside his close friends, breaking barriers of nationality and fostering enduring connections. His creative flair shines through his love for painting, and he aspires to carve a future as an interior designer, driven by a determination to build a portfolio that opens doors to prestigious universities. Hailing from one of the hottest cities in Kazakhstan, Yerassyl thrives in a melting pot of over 20 nationalities, including Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, and Tatars. His city’s unique culture and stereotypes fuel his resilience and pride in its achievements. Yerassyl’s dreams extend beyond borders. Night after night, he envisions his life in the United States, where he hopes to participate in an exchange program that will help him realize his ambitions, forge lifelong friendships, and keep the flame of passion burning brightly. With a heart full of creativity and determination, Yerassyl is ready to bring colors, warmth, and innovation wherever he goes.

Hugo, a 15-year-old from France, lives with his mother, father, brother, and pet dog, which he considers to be his brother. Hugo is a STAR WARS and Harry Potter fan! The cultural exchange force is with him! He says there are many aspects of French life that he wants your family to discover. He wants to share French specialties, like the French crêpe and French Chocolate Cake, that he knows how to bake well. Aside from cooking, Hugo also finds time to be a youth municipal councilor in his town. He has practiced Judo since he was 4 years old, earning a blue and brown belt. Hugo likes learning new things. No wonder his favorite subjects are History, Geography, and Social Science. Hugo aspires to practice international law in the future. He says he is eager to experience American Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Halloween with your family.

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.