Meet Our Students

Anna is excited about the opportunity to spend a school year in the United States and become part of an American family. She is eager to experience everyday life, traditions, and holidays while attending an American high school. She looks forward to school spirit, football games, dances, and joining clubs or activities where she can meet new friends and improve her English. In her free time, she enjoys cheerleading, which allows her to stay active and spend time with friends. She also loves baking and often makes treats for her family and friends. Music is an important part of her life and she enjoys listening to it while baking, crafting, or relaxing at home. She values spending time with loved ones, especially her sister, and enjoys simple activities like going to the movies, shopping, or taking walks together. She also loves animals and will miss her sweet dog, Crumble.

Maelis is a student from Italy who brings warmth, positivity, and a strong sense of family into everything she does. She grew up in a loving, supportive family and truly values connection, kindness, and creating meaningful relationships. Maelis is active and enjoys beach volleyball, hiking, and being outdoors, but she also appreciates simple moments like cooking, walking, and spending time together at home. She attends a language-focused high school where she studies English, French, and Spanish, and she is fluent in French thanks to her multicultural background; she also won an Italian government scholarship. Maelis loves cooking traditional Italian meals and would be excited to share her culture with her host family. She is affectionate, responsible, and a great listener, with experience caring for younger children. Independent and adaptable, Maelis is excited to experience American life, become part of a host family, and create lasting memories together.

Meet Chi Yu, known as Daniel, a Taiwanese scholarship recipient! He is one of 5 kids including a twin brother! He also has a pond with Koi fish and goldfish at his home. He is an initially shy boy, but opens up and is very polite and empathetic. He loves Japanese and American foods and can’t wait for all the food places in the states. He loves building things and loves working with Legos. Daniel is also a huge fan of the NBA. His favorite team is the Warriors and favorite player, Steph Curry. Apply to host Daniel and have a blast watching NBA games and eating together!

Soheyl (Adam) lives with his mother and brother in the southwestern part of France. Adam loves animals, especially dogs. He enjoys activities like karting, board games, video games and basketball. He is interested in learning American football and baseball. His future goal is to work in aviation, inspired by his childhood dream of being an airline pilot. He has already taken theoretical courses related to aviation. He also has a passion for architecture and design, using software like Photoshop and Illustrator for technical art projects. Adam describes himself as calm, reserved and respectful. He is excited to explore the diverse culture of the United States, particularly its holidays and traditions. Adam views this exchange as a chance for cultural sharing and personal growth, aiming to return to France with broader perspectives and lasting memories. “I am fully ready to commit myself to this exchange program in order to gain the most from it and return to France with a broader view of the world and unforgettable memories”

Meet Lori, from central Japan. She is so excited to visit the United States as this will be her very first time abroad! She loves playing soft tennis, making sweets, cooking Japanese food like shogayaki (ginger pork), talking about music with friends, and going for relaxing walks. During her stay, she can’t wait to experience everyday American life and share Japanese culture (and treats!) with her host family. One day, she hopes to become a Japanese teacher. She is truly looking forward to meeting you!

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.

Martina is from Italy and brings a thoughtful, creative, and caring personality to everything she does. She has a wide range of interests that reflect both her artistic side and her love for staying active. Martina enjoys playing the piano, drawing, swimming, and going for long walks outdoors—especially when she can be surrounded by nature. One of Martina’s greatest passions is animals. She would be especially excited to join a host family with a dog, as she would love taking it on long walks and spending time outdoors together. At home, Martina is already used to caring for animals—she has five cats, and at her dad’s house, she also helps care for a rabbit and three chickens. In her free time, Martina enjoys playing pool and reading, especially romance novels like The Truth Untold by Rokia. She is also deeply interested in biotechnology and dreams of one day working as a technician in a laboratory. Martina can clearly picture herself in a lab coat, analyzing substances and exploring the scientific world. As a second career path, she is also passionate about fitness and would consider becoming a personal trainer, as she enjoys spending time at the gym and staying healthy. Martina is excited about the opportunity to experience life in the United States. She looks forward to becoming part of a host family, sharing her Italian culture, improving her English, and creating meaningful memories during this unique cultural exchange.

Zilola is a creative fun-loving student that lives in a large city in Uzbekistan. She has a large extended family of cousins, and her grandmother is next door, so they spend a lot of time together over meals. Zilola loves to cook and wants to share this love with her American family. Zilola is part of an American English support class and helps others with the language. She is excited to practice her English in the U.S. and wants to learn the culture, while sharing hers. Zilola has tried many sports (water polo, karate, taekwondo, swimming, and dancing) and wants to stay healthy and fit during her exchange program, by trying new things. She considers herself an orderly and neat student, so she will always keep her room clean and loves to help around the house, when possible.

Félicien is a motivated and sociable student who grew up in Belgium and now lives in France near the Swiss and German borders, giving him a strong appreciation for different cultures. A passionate basketball player for 14 years, he also referees games and coaches younger players, which has helped him develop leadership, patience, and responsibility. Félicien enjoys staying active, spending time with friends and family, and trying new experiences, including water skiing in the summer. Excited to experience American culture, he looks forward to becoming part of a host family while sharing his European background and love of sports.

Ester is a kind, active student from northern Italy who loves family life, outdoor adventures, and sharing meaningful traditions. She’s been a dedicated scout since age seven and enjoys camping, cooking together, singing, and spending time in nature. She’s also sporty—she goes to the gym, loves hiking, snorkeling, and previously practiced figure skating. Ester is very close to her family and hopes to build the same warm connection with her host family. She enjoys music with her dad, shopping or walking with her mom, and watching shows with her younger brother. She’s excited to share Italian culture, stories, and everyday life while learning American traditions from the inside. Friendly, responsible, and eager to experience something new, Ester is ready to become a true part of a family.