Meet Our Students

Please welcome Nizomi to your home! He is very family oriented. He loves to have conversations with his family, which consists of his parents, one sister, and two brothers. He also loves to play Chess with his father. He is a well-rounded boy who enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, basketball, and table tennis. He also enjoys swimming, reading, and listening to music. It sounds like he has a sense of humor, because he also says that doing house chores is fun for him. He also enjoys gardening with his father and walking the family dog in the small town in which his family lives.

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.

Aigerim (15), recipient of the prestigious FLEX Scholarship from Kazakhstan. Aigerim lives in a modern city with history, is situated by a large river, and boasts stunning natural beauty. She describes herself as friendly, open-minded, and responsible, enjoying the opportunity to meet new people and learn from life's experiences. Her interests include a wide range of activities, including volleyball, dance, swimming, volunteering, public speaking, gym workouts, sports, running, foreign languages, geography, and world history. At school, she actively participates in the Volleyball Club, Dance Club, Speaking Club, Student Council (where she holds the position of Prime Minister), and the Math Club. Her favorite subjects are algebra, geometry, and English. Aigerim aspires to become a data analyst, with plans to study abroad in Europe or the USA and travel the world. She is eager to learn about American culture, enhance her language skills, and create lasting memories. Additionally, she looks forward to introducing traditional Kazakh dishes like Beshbarmak and Bauyrsak and sharing her holiday celebrations with you. “I enjoy peaceful moments-I consider myself a laid-back person who loves to embrace life's simple pleasures.”

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.

Meet Mohamed of Kenya who is musically inclined! He plays the guitar, and he is thrilled to become a part of your family as a scholarship exchange student. He cannot wait to share his country's breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultural heritage with you. He loves doing things together with the family such as cooking together. He says, "I also love painting, as it helps me capture my thoughts and emotions in a visual form." He is looking forward to learning about American art, music, and history. He enjoys painting and hiking as he finds nature and the great outdoors to be a peaceful haven. He looks forward to a charming and caring home in America.

Queena is an enthusiastic and well-rounded 16-year-old from Tiawan who is excited about the opportunity to participate in an exchange program. She comes from a close-knit family of four and has a strong bond with her mother. At school, Queena is actively involved in various activities. She plays the flute in her school wind band, which recently won first place in a music competition. Queena is also a bilingual ambassador, part of the ceremony team, and involved in community service. Queena enjoys community service and always says yes to opportunities to help others, believing it is a great way to grow and learn. She enjoys watching thought-provoking movies, playing volleyball, and loves challenges. Queena dreams of becoming a diplomat to help Taiwan strengthen its global connections. Her experience living in a boarding school has made her independent and respectful of others. Although she sometimes feels nervous in new situations, she overcomes this by joining more activities and gaining experience. Having lived in a boarding school during middle school, Queena understands the challenges of adapting to group living in an unfamiliar environment. Her experience as a dorm leader taught her valuable skills in guiding younger students and solving dorm life issues. Queena is independent, easy to get along with, and respectful of others. During her stay, Queena looks forward to sharing Taiwanese culture, especially music, and combining Western instruments with traditional Taiwanese music. She appreciates the kindness of her host family and is committed to being a responsible exchange student. Queena's positive attitude, active involvement, and eagerness to learn make her an excellent candidate for the exchange program.

Alexia is a 16-year-old from a small town in the Italian Alps, living with her family, including her parents, sister, and her beloved cat Mia. Fluent in both Italian and Polish, she also studies English, German, and Spanish, showing a deep passion for languages and cultures. An active and cheerful individual, Alexia has competed in cheerleading, tried gymnastics, and enjoys sports like swimming and horse riding, with skiing on her list of things to learn. She works as a waitress while attending a local tourist school, balancing her academic life with hands-on work experience. With a deep curiosity and love for travel, Alexia is excited about her upcoming exchange program in the United States, eager to grow, learn, and experience a new culture.

Sobir, a 16-year-old from Uzbekistan, believes his city is one of the most beautiful in the country. It's renowned for its traditional cuisine and the warm, welcoming nature of its residents. He stays active by engaging in various sports, including wrestling, swimming, and tennis. “Participating in sports has not only enhanced my physical strength but also allowed me to forge friendships and acquire valuable life skills,”. In addition, he enjoys playing chess and board games. Sobir took part in the English Language Olympiad, achieving first place at the city level and second place regionally. He shares a close bond with his family of five. His favorite pastimes include volunteer work and solving math problems. He views himself as a sociable individual who easily makes friends.

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.

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.