Meet Our Students

Meet Julia (16) she brings a unique perspective to the program as a German student from a Polish background.  In school she speaks German, at home she speaks Polish.  She is proud of her Polish heritage, and her family celebrates many Polish traditions.  She would love to cook traditional Polish foods with her future host family including pierogies and chicken soup. Julia describes a very close-knit family life in which she enjoys shopping with her mom and helping with the housework. She is also very close with her dad and her older brother as well, even though he is now an adult living on his own. She is also a proud dog sister who loves and cares for her furry family member, Daisy.   Her goals for herself in this program revolve around becoming part of her host family, joining their life and being part of their everyday activities. She also talks about wanting to use this experience to grow as a person, “I believe this experience will help me grow as a person, understand myself better and become more independent and braver.” She loves experiencing other cultures and would one day like to work in tourism or for an international company.  Julia’s hobbies include swimming, she loves the water, going to the gym, cooking, watching movies and spending time with friends in nature.

Munkhzul, known as Zula, is a bright, warm‑spirited 15‑year‑old from Mongolia who brings kindness and curiosity everywhere she goes. She lives with her grandparents, helping with cooking and grocery shopping, and loves trying new healthy recipes with them. A dedicated volunteer and member of the MFWA club, she enjoys giving back to her community. Zula is creative and artistic—she journals, cooks, dances, and plays guitar, piano, and the traditional Yatga. A true book lover and strong student, she dreams of studying law or international relations. She hopes to experience American culture, school spirit, and maybe even join tennis, yearbook, or cheer. A family who welcomes her will gain a thoughtful, joyful daughter they’ll never forget—don’t miss your chance to host her.

Meet Naila from France!! Naila wants the life adventure of learning American culture and being independent in a new place to discover new people and traditions. Naila is a lover of family time, cooking with family, playing board games and spending quality time is important to her. She loves watching football with her brother and although she isn’t a passionate hiker like her mom, she will go and do it just to spend time with her mom. This shows that Naila is open to trying things for that good old-fashioned family time. Naila is an animal lover as she has 3 cats, she is not a fan of spiders and insects, but she respects them. Naila loves break dancing and ice skating. She has a desire to dance and learn more about dancing. Friends are important to her, and she is excited to make new friends in a new place. French music is a daily listen for Naila, and she is wanting to learn more about American music genres too. Besides her love for winter sports, she is very into fashion. Naila has a strong goal to be a surgeon in her adult life or a radiologist. Combined with her love of biology she wants to help people in need. Let’s open our home to Naila!!!

More to follow...

Meet Ludovica, everyone calls her Ludo! She is 16 and lives in a popular tourist town in Italy. Ludo has one older sister who was also an exchange student. So, she had the great stories and memories from her sister and wants to create her own adventure and memories with an amazing host family here in the USA. Ludo is an athlete and has been playing volleyball since she was six years old. Her passion for the sport allows her to challenge herself and strive to do better. Ludo ski's each winter in Italy, has played tennis and done gymnastic in the past. It is clear that Ludo has such a creative imagination, especially with her drawings and her paintings. She has found that drawing clears her mind and opens up imaginary thinking. Ludo is a family orientated person, whether it be playing board games with everyone, completing puzzles, or winding down to watch with family a good old fashion horror movie. Ludo loves participating in volunteer opportunities. She understands kids and loves being able to create fun activities for them. Ludo has a soft heart for animals, she loves cats, dogs and even helps take care of horses. Becoming a doctor to save lives is her lifelong goal. She has a plan and wants to excel at it to be successful in the future. Ludo loves just being a funny and excited teenage girl. It is important to Ludo that she gets to be a part of her host family daily life. Whether it be hanging out at home playing Uno, helping cook or participating in any family outings. Ludo is very open minded with wanting to learn new cultures all while making new friends. Be a part of Ludo's future memories!

Meet Maria (16) a cheerful, curious, and outgoing student who loves connecting with people and embracing new adventures. She has been part of scouts since childhood, where she discovered her love for camping, hiking, and learning practical skills like building a fire safely. Her passion for animals shines through her dedication to horse riding—she finds peace in grooming and caring for horses and dreams of one day owning her own. Creative at heart, Maria enjoys drawing, a hobby inspired by her brother, and she often fills her free time with music from artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter. She also has a Siberian cat named Jimmy and has cared for many pets over the years, reflecting her nurturing spirit. In the summer, she volunteers as a child entertainer, bringing joy and laughter to kids, which shows her patience and kindness. Maria studies languages at school, adding Spanish and German to her English, and hopes her exchange year will help her discover her future path—perhaps as a veterinarian, combining her love for animals with helping others. She is the youngest of three children, all living at home, and treasures the lively, supportive atmosphere of her family. She admires her mom’s dedication as a teacher and runner, her dad’s love for music and reading, and her siblings’ unique passions. Maria is ready to embrace new routines, share her talents, and bring warmth and energy into her host family’s home. Don’t miss the chance to welcome her—you’ll gain not just a student, but a lifelong friend and unforgettable memories!

Rafa (16) is from Spain, where he lives with his parents, and younger sister. He describes himself as a cheerful, fun-loving, and sociable individual who is also respectful. With a naturally curious and slightly dreamy disposition, Rafa thrives on connecting with others, exploring new experiences, and infusing each day with positive energy. He loves animals but the only pet he has is his pet turtle, Poli. Rafa is filled with excitement at the thought of living with his American family and attending an American school. Swimming is one of his greatest passions; it brings him a sense of freedom, focus, and vitality. He hopes to join the school swimming team, as he enjoys the thrill of competition. Dance also plays a significant role in Rafa's life. He has been dancing and competing for many years. Additionally, Rafa enjoys traveling and has visited five countries in Europe. He delights in discovering different cultures, traditions, and lifestyles. “I understand that hosting an exchange student is a significant decision, and I genuinely appreciate your generosity and the opportunity you are providing.”

Álvaro (16) resides in a quaint city in northern Spain, rich with over 2,000 years of history. He considers himself an open-minded and curious individual, always eager to learn. Álvaro and his family have adopted a beautiful mixed-breed puppy they rescued from a shelter. For the past two years, he has volunteered at the same shelter, walking abandoned dogs. In his free time, Álvaro enjoys working out at the gym and is a devoted soccer fan. He is excited to learn about American sports, particularly the NBA. Another significant passion of his is skiing; he has been skiing for several years and has recently begun exploring off-piste trails (not permitted on program). “I love the feeling of freedom and personal challenge as I go down the mountain. Overall, I truly enjoy outdoor sports, especially in winter.” Additionally, Álvaro participates in tennis and karate competitions, both of which he has been involved in for several years. “I love the speed and strategy of tennis, and karate has taught me discipline, respect, and how to remain calm.” History is his favorite subject. Álvaro is determined to make the most of his experiences, enhance his English skills, discover new perspectives, and create unforgettable memories!

Sofia is a 16-year-old student from Italy currently in her third year at a Humanities high school. She enjoys Italian literature and history and hopes to become an elementary school teacher in the future. She loves working with children and has spent the past three summers as a church summer camp leader for kids ages 6–10. Sofia is a curious, friendly, and open-minded student who loves discovering new places and experiences. Her greatest passion is dance—she has been dancing since age five, with experience in classical, modern, and hip-hop dance. Dance helps her feel confident and expressive, and she is interested in participating in dance or even cheerleading at her American school. In her free time, Sofia enjoys listening to music (especially rap, trap, and pop), attending concerts and theater performances, and spending time with friends. She also enjoys fashion, shopping, going to the movies, and spending time at the beach during the summer. Sofia is excited to learn about American culture and daily life while sharing Italian traditions with her host family. Her main goal for the exchange is to improve her English. She is clean, organized, responsible, and happy to help with household chores. Sofia also loves food—especially pasta and pizza—and enjoys cooking with her family and trying new foods. She is very excited to come to the United States and become part of her American host family.

She’s a dynamic 16-year-old (17 when she arrives) from Italy with a passion for athletics, art, and cultural discovery. A competitive hammer and discus thrower for over a decade, she’s also a dedicated art student who loves painting, drawing, and exploring new techniques. Her hobbies include cooking, caring for animals, watching films and TV series, and learning about music and languages from around the world. She dreams of studying in an American high school to challenge herself, grow independently, and connect deeply with a new culture. Host her—and help her turn curiosity into connection, and talent into transformation.