Meet Our Students

Cooper is a thoughtful, respectful, and open-minded student from Thailand who is excited about the opportunity to live with a host family in the United States. Growing up in a Thai-international school environment has helped him become adaptable, communicative, and comfortable with people from many different backgrounds, and his previous experience living abroad with a host family in Brisbane, Australia, gave him even more confidence, independence, and ease in adjusting to new environments. His main goal as an exchange student is to improve his English, experience American school and family life, and continue growing through cultural exchange. Sports are a major part of his life, especially basketball, which is one of his greatest passions. He is a member of his school basketball team, was selected as a GBAC All Star, and has also trained in New York, where he was inspired by American basketball culture and coaching. In addition to basketball, he has experience in ice hockey, skiing, badminton, and golf, showing that he enjoys staying active and trying new things. Outside of sports, he enjoys music, is learning to play the guitar, likes watching movies, and occasionally plays video games. Easygoing and not a picky eater, Cooper would bring a positive attitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and genuine excitement to a host family while creating meaningful memories through the exchange experience.

Anna lives in Italy with her older brother and younger sister. She did gymnastics for years, but due to the stress on her body, she now helps coach young girls in gym and began snowboarding with her dad and siblings. She also loves to run. She is interested in trying out new sports in America, perhaps cheerleading, but also likes music and the arts. Anna likes the outdoors, but likes to spend time inside also, usually in the kitchen. Baking and making traditional Italian dishes are her passion. She loves to cook and bake and would love to help her new family learn new recipes also. She has responsibilities in her home in Italy and expects to have similar ones in her new home. Anna is excited to be part of a family and learn more about the American culture. She is excited about riding a school bus, decorating her locker and experiencing high school in America.

I'm incredibly excited (and a bit nervous) about the opportunity to spend a year with you and to discover American life from the inside. I've always had this dream, and I can't wait for it to come true! At school, I am very motivated, and I have even already begun prepping my university applications. I enjoy challenging myself and learning new things, but I also love to have fun and meet new people! I would say I'm someone who adapts easily to new situations and environments. I love to cook with my family, even when we try new recipes that don't always turn out "Instagram worthy"! One of my favorite hobbies is skiing--it makes me feel free and full of energy! One of the things I'm most excited about is experiencing American traditions with you, like Halloween, Christmas, and Thanksgiving. We celebrate them very differently in France, so I am very curious. I hope to build unforgettable memories with you, to learn a lot about your way of life, and to bring joy, curiosity, and positive energy to your home.

Alberto is a student from a small town in northwest Italy who attends a scientific high school with a sports focus. His program combines academics with sports-related studies, including economics and law of sports, and five hours of physical activity each week. He enjoys his classes, has a good relationship with his classmates, and likes spending time with friends after school. Alberto hopes to study in the United States because he is curious about new cultures, experiences, and sports. He sees this opportunity as a way to grow personally, improve his English, and become more independent. Having already completed a one-month exchange in France, he feels prepared to live away from home and embrace new challenges. Family is very important to Alberto. He lives with his parents, two brothers, and his dog, Frisky, an 8-year-old golden retriever. He loves animals and enjoys walking his dog, visiting his grandparents, traveling, hiking, and cooking with his family. Sports play a major role in Alberto’s life. He learned to ski at age three and enjoys skiing with his family and friends. He has played soccer and basketball and continues to go to the gym regularly. While in the U.S., he hopes to play basketball or soccer again or try new sports. Alberto is excited to learn about American culture, share his daily life with a host family, and build meaningful relationships during his exchange year.

More info. to follow.

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.”

Emie is from a small French beach town and loves to meet new people and explore new cultures. She loves running, swimming, drawing, and enjoying time with family. Emie is the oldest sibling and has one younger brother. She also likes dogs and especially cats. Emie speaks English and French and wants to become more bilingual by living with an American family. She is a sunny, happy person that loves to help others and is excited about experiencing the American dream.

Marcos is a cheerful happy person that loves to make others laugh. He is from a small town in Spain and is the youngest with three siblings. All of Marco’s siblings were also exchange students to the United States. He is a mature and well-mannered young man that loves to be outside and has a black belt in martial arts. Marcos loves to cook and play the piano. He is now learning to play the trombone. Marcos likes helping others and sports such as golf and flag football. He balances his love of activity with his love of music and relaxes to recharge his batteries. He is excited about improving his English in America and living with a family that is engaged and has a close relationship. Marcos loves time with others and is looking for a loving family in the United States.

Friedrich lives with his parents and three siblings as he describes his family as close, supportive and spending a lot of time together.  At school, Friedrich describes himself as a serious student, his favorite subjects include Art, English and German.  He has also participated in several school plays.  For hobbies he enjoys playing handball, photography and gardening. His friends describe him as calm, trustworthy and easy to get along with. Additionally, he describes himself as tidy and organized.  He is excited about attending High School in America, his mother was an exchange student in the 11th grade and had a lot of fun.  He looks forward to experiencing different teaching methods, school spirit and pep rallies, and he would love to try baseball.

American culture, which is very open and diverse, seems especially enriching for an exchange experience. It is an ideal place for me to grow personally and gain self-confidence, particularly thanks to a school system that encourages participation and interaction. I truly want to improve my English by practicing it every day in a natural environment. I would also love to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and discover other American traditions with you! In my free time, I enjoy creative and sporty activities. I love journaling to keep memories, express my thoughts, and take time for myself. I am a very organized person and I like living in a structured environment. Sports are a very important part of my life. I practice gymnastics in a club, I love running, and I also do Pilates at home with my mother. I am very athletic, adaptable, and I enjoy discovering new activities. I view myself as kind, calm, curious, and caring person. I enjoy making others laugh and helping whenever I can. I want to live this experience with an open mind, curiosity, and respect, and I truly hope to build strong, sincere, and lasting connections with you.