Meet Our Students

Tihalina from France, writes “I want to discover the world not through books or screens, but through smiles, meetings, and everyday gestures.”  She and her family have adopted goats who they refer to as the “Queens of the garden”.  Besides loving her four-legged family members, she enjoys a close-knit home life with her two brothers and dad. She describes herself as independent and enthusiastic.  She has a wide range of interests including music, reading, photography and scouting which she enjoys due the respect for nature and teamwork that it fosters.  She is also very involved in sports and physical activity such as tennis, basketball, ping pong, track, dance, and roller skating.  She is also very dedicated to the philosophy of cultural exchange. She is extremely focused on bringing unique cultural experiences to the table-literally- she loves to cook crepes, kouign-amman and her family’s special recipe from the Southwest of France,  canelés Bordelais.  Tihalina also wants to learn about and take part in such American traditions as Thanksgiving.  Please consider opening your home to a student who is full of appreciation of other cultures and wishes to learn all she can as well as share the uniqueness of her own with you. 

One of the main reasons why I want to go on an exchange year, is because I hope to grow as a person by becoming more independent, open-minded, and confident! I also hope to meet new people and to make lifelong friends and endless memories. People describe me as a very active person. In my free time, I love playing sports, especially track and field. I participate the most in running events. Recently, my mother and I participated in a competition in Paris, where we ran 20km! Moving my body makes me feel focused and happy and I enjoy challenging myself to improve every time I train. I've always been fascinated by the American culture, traditions, and school life. I'm so excited to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be in a new environment. I'm excited to be part of an American high school and to see what everyday life is like in a host family.

Tsukine (“Tsuki”) is a motivated and kind high school student from central Japan who is excited to experience life in the U.S. She is a dedicated member of her badminton team, known for her strong work ethic and determination to improve, and she also enjoys dancing and performing at school events. Tsuki hopes to join school activities like dance club to build friendships and strengthen her English skills. She comes from a close-knit family and values time spent together, often helping cook meals and even making sushi to share with her host family. Tsuki has previous homestay experience in Australia, which inspired her to pursue a longer exchange. She is eager to experience American school life, engage in classroom discussions, and share her Japanese culture and traditions. Tsuki would be a thoughtful, hardworking, and engaging addition to any host family.

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”

Julius, from northern Germany is an active and curious teenager who enjoys sports, music, and spending time outdoors. He likes going to the gym, playing soccer and basketball, and is a big fan of Formula 1 and soccer. He has been taking piano lessons for six years and enjoys listening to music in his free time. Motivated in school and excited to experience American culture, he looks forward to becoming part of a host family while sharing his German traditions and helping with everyday family life.

Mariam is an energetic and passionate student from the small country of Georgia who comes from a big, close-knit family where life is filled with music, laughter, and shared moments—from singing along to her guitar to spending time together at the park. A dedicated and hardworking individual, she balances helping at home and caring for her younger brother with an impressive range of interests, including competitive swimming, volunteering, debating, and exploring her love for science and aviation. Social and open-minded, Mariam thrives in diverse friendships, whether with her swim team, school friends, or bandmates, and she enjoys everything from creative projects to meaningful community work. Deeply connected to her hometown yet eager to explore the world, she dreams of a future in aviation and is excited to experience life in the United States—embracing new traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving while sharing the rich culture, food, and spirit of Georgia with her host family.

I come from the south of France, where the ocean and the mountains are really close to where I live. I have always loved this environment because it allows me to enjoy different activities depending on the season! I have always been interested in different cultures, languages, and ways of life, and I believe that living abroad is one of the best ways to grow personally and academically. I would describe myself as a curious, social, and open-minded person. I enjoy learning, especially when it helps me understand how things work. Outside of school, I have many interests that represent an important part of who I am. I love cooking, as it is a way of sharing, enjoying the moment, and bringing people together. I practice taekwondo once a week on Wednesday. This sport has taught me discipline, respect, and a different way to see life. What excites me most about this year in America is life with you, discovering a new environment and the American culture: sharing meals, talking about our days, and discovering traditions such as Thanksgiving. I want you to feel comfortable with me in your home, and I will always do my best to be positive, respectful, and involved.

Dimitrije is a curious and well-rounded student from Serbia who would be a wonderful addition to any host family. He lives with his parents, along with a cat and a parrot, and enjoys spending quality time with his family. Dimitrije is responsible at home, helping with chores and caring for pets, while also staying dedicated to his schoolwork. Academically, he has a strong interest in math, science, and computer science, and enjoys the challenge of solving complex problems. He also has a passion for languages, speaking English and German, while learning Japanese and Italian. Outside the classroom, Dimitrije stays active through swimming and expresses his creativity through music, art, and pottery. Friendly and social, he enjoys spending time with friends and engaging in a variety of activities. Dimitrije is excited to experience American culture, gain independence, and share his own traditions with his host family.

Arianna from Italy lives with her family, which includes her mom, dad, brother, and their beloved dog, Lola, an Australian Shepherd, she loves animals. Her little brother is her favorite person. She describes herself as a funny girl, who loves talking, making new friendships and new experiences. Arianna has a deep passion for cooking, particularly when it comes to baking cookies. Her other interests include theatre, bicycling, listening to pop music, traveling and exploring new places and watching movies (her favorite genre is horror). Ari loves children and has worked as an entertainer at a summer camp for the past two years. She has also tried various sports, including dance, swimming, basketball, tennis, and gymnastics, with tennis being her favorite, she played for six years. After high school, Arianna dreams of becoming an au pair in the United States. She chose to participate in an exchange program to share Italian culture with her American family and community by cooking traditional dishes. Additionally, she aims to become more independent and improve her English skills. Although she is uncertain about her future, Arianna knows she loves working with children and envisions a career as a teacher. That's all from Italy for now, looking forward to meeting you!

I am a kind, sociable, open-minded, sporty, self-sufficient, caring, and curious person who cannot wait to meet you! My favorite subjects in school are sciences and languages--I would love to be an architect one day! During my free time, I like doing sports, especially tennis. I have practised it for the past 8 years in the club of my city. I have been lucky enough to attend many sporting events because I share this passion with my father, such as soccer, handball, basketball and tennis matches! I love the emotions provided by sport, like major national competitions and I would like to discover American sports culture in high school, new sports and support my school during competitions! I also enjoy creative hobbies like making handmade gifts for my friends and family. Once, with a group of friends, we all made a personalized board game. I love the pleasure of offering and creating. I love cooking and baking too. I would love to share these moments with you and help you discover French cooking and pastry! Thank you for giving me this extraordinary opportunity, I am deeply grateful!