Meet Our Students

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.

Yana, a bright and ambitious 16-year-old, comes from a serene mountain area where she shares a close bond with her family. Her household responsibilities have shaped her into a caring and patient individual. She excels in academics and is passionate about subjects like physics and math. Her dream is to become an AI specialist and programmer, and she actively pursues this goal by attending extra programming classes. An avid painter and music enthusiast, Yana uses creativity to express herself and unwind. She is also learning Chinese, showcasing her determination and love for exploring new cultures. Eager to immerse herself in life in the U.S., Yana hopes to make meaningful connections, try new activities like art clubs and coding groups, and share her unique perspective with her host family.

Meet Mkrtich, but you can call him Mko. Mko enjoys spending time with his family, together they enjoy traveling, cooking, and watching movies. His favorites are adventure and horror movies, but he enjoys all genres. With his friends he enjoys being able to volunteer and considers it important to develop his country and his community. Mko’s biggest passion is playing his guitar. He says music is his life and he couldn’t live without it. During his exchange year Mko hopes to have the opportunity to play American football and is interested in learning more about your family and your culture, in return he will share all about his. In the future Mko hopes to pursue a career as a surgeon and hopes to save many lives. Mko is looking forward to his year with your family and create memories that will last forever.

Paul, 17 years old, is from a charming rural area in Estonia, where he resides with his parents. His home is surrounded by stunning nature and plenty of sports opportunities, particularly in the winter months. Traveling is a passion for them. Paul is always ready to assist with household chores or tasks around the house. His favorite sport is orienteering, a navigation sport often set in unfamiliar terrain that utilizes a map and compass, and he excels at it. "I spent many years searching for a sport that suited me. Orienteering entered my life in 2018. Since I prefer not just running, the blend of thinking and movement is the best way to stay fit and engage in something more stimulating at a higher level." In school, music and fine arts hold significant importance for him. He plays the piano, which he finds to be a soothing activity. His favorite subjects include society, history, and psychology. Additionally, he appreciates classical music concerts and art museums. Recently, Paul and his friends launched a company called KERPS, which produces energy tea as a healthier alternative to sugary energy drinks.

Hello! My name is Adel, and I'm excited about the opportunity to live with you and learn about American culture. I'm 14 years old, turning 15 in January. I live with my parents, younger brother, and sister. We are very close and enjoy watching movies, playing board games, cooking, and traveling together. At home, I help with chores and look after my siblings, which has taught me responsibility, patience, and organization. I love playing the piano, drawing, learning languages, playing tennis, and swimming. Volunteering at animal shelters with my friends is also a passion of mine. I live in a vibrant city with a mix of nature, wildlife, and historical landmarks. Our city hosts many festivals that celebrate our traditions and culture, making me proud of where I come from and eager to share it with others. I hope to pursue a career in medicine and teach English as a volunteer in my community. I am energetic, respectful, and curious, always eager to learn and grow. I look forward to experiencing American traditions, trying new foods, and sharing my own culture. This program means a lot to me. It will help me improve my English, make new friends, and create lifelong memories. Thank you for considering me as part of your family. I can't wait to meet you all and make this experience unforgettable!

Rio is a passionate and driven 16-year-old student from Germany with a deep love for sports—especially American football, which he’s been playing since he joined the U10 team nine years ago. He is the oldest of 3 siblings. Now a senior in the U16 division and the defensive captain of his team, Rio takes pride in leading from the front, inspiring his teammates, and pushing himself to be the best on and off the field. As a safety and wide receiver, he has won multiple championships, played on selection teams, and follows the Atlanta Falcons with true fan dedication. When he's not training, working out, or catching a game, Rio enjoys track and field, playing Madden on the PS5, and studying his favorite subjects: economics, math, and P.E. He’s also on his school’s rugby team. More than just sports, Rio is eager to immerse himself in American culture, improve his English, and share his own German traditions—making the most of his exchange year by growing, learning, and building lasting connections.

I’m an open-minded and active person from a small town in Moldova. I enjoy new challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone. I come from a close, supportive family of five, and as the oldest sibling, I’ve taken on many responsibilities, including caring for my younger brother and helping around the house. I value strong relationships and have a small, loyal group of friends. We enjoy biking, spending time outdoors, and supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. I’m excited to be part of a host family, get involved in daily life, improve my English, and experience a new culture. My goal is to learn from others, build lasting connections, and prepare to one day start a business that I hope to grow across Moldova and beyond.

Meet Juste, a 10th grade student from Lithuania who is full of energy, curiosity, and a deep love for connecting with others. Her friends often describe her as empathetic, talkative, and full of life — someone who always brings positive energy into a room. Juste is the middle child in a close-knit family with two sisters, one older and one younger. She shares a strong bond with both her parents. With her mother, she loves spending time in the kitchen cooking and having heart-to-heart conversations. Her dad is the one who introduced her to billiards and the music of his youth, which played a huge role in shaping her current taste in music. She also loves her animals, she has a dog, cat and fish. Juste has always enjoyed exploring new hobbies. She’s tried everything from skateboarding to kickboxing to handicrafts, but the passions that have truly stuck are dance, music, and photography. She has been taking piano lessons for several years and many of her friends are very interested in music, she is even making a music video for her friends' band. Photography has become one of her greatest passions and she has even had some of her work published. She’s also a fan of movies and a frequent reader, especially of books in English. Ever since her first concert in 2019, she fell in love with the thrill of live music and hopes to have the opportunity to attend a concert in the US. She loves exploring her city and discovering new places. For Juste, spending a year in the United States would be more than just an exciting adventure — it would be a life-changing experience. She’s eager to see what American high school life is like, from new classes and school spirit to traditions like homecoming and prom. But more than anything, she’s looking forward to becoming part of a host family’s world — sharing her culture, creating new memories, and truly experiencing life in a new community. She hopes this year will help her discover more about herself, make lasting friendships, and return home with stories she’ll never forget.

More to follow.

Rasul is a 16-year-old student currently in the 11th grade, living in a small suburban district with his family of five. As the eldest child, Rasul has significant responsibilities, including taking care of his younger brother, helping him with his studies, and managing household needs due to his father's demanding job as an emergency doctor. Despite his busy schedule, Rasul prioritizes his education and enjoys spending time with his siblings. Rasul's main interest lies in nature, where he loves walking along the coast, observing the sea, animals, especially his cats and fish, and taking care of plants in his garden. Although his schedule limits his time with friends, he cherishes moments spent cycling, walking, and playing football. Growing up in his city, Rasul appreciates the blend of beautiful modern architecture and historical buildings. He has ambitious plans for the future, having started school a year earlier than his classmates. Rasul aims to pursue a career in neuroscience, contributing to research on the brain, Alzheimer's, and autism. His dream is to become a young and enthusiastic Nobel Prize winner, inspiring youth to focus on their goals. Rasul is also working on a start-up to address water scarcity by extracting clean water from air conditioners, aiming to help his community and combat climate issues. Through the FLEX program, he hopes to learn more about US culture, traditions, history, and literature, exchange ideas with new friends, and experience life as a US student for a year.