Meet Our Students

16-year-old Paolo from Italy describes himself as a sociable and determined. He loves his family and thinks friends are very important. Paolo has a close relationship with his two grandmothers who live nearby and enjoys spending his time with them talking about his grandfathers and about his parents when they were younger. Paolo attends a classic high school, and enjoys the subjects History, P.E., and English. Paolo enjoys a variety of sports, which include: volleyball, swimming, soccer, and basketball. Paolo says, “I’m rarely sad because I like to be happy in every situation and I think I’ll be more happy when I arrive in USA!” Paolo is ready to take the leap into becoming an exchange student and coming to America to discover new things, widen his horizon, and to learn about a new culture and our values. Won’t you open your heart and home to this young man?

Meet this funny, hard working, friendly boy from Spain! Alvaro loves being active (walking, running, exercising), but isn't a big fan of organized sports, which is why he loves physical education at school. However, his favorite subject at school is Technology and Engineering. He is excited with the opportunity to come to the US and learn more about all of the technology that we use here. During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends at the beach. He loves being outdoors, strolling the beach and then in the evening looking up at the stars. He recently started to teach himself how to play the piano and has spent the last two years learning to play the guitar. Alvaro is super excited to spend a year with an American family and wants you to know that he will adapt to your rules and lifestyle!

Rosalie loves learning new cultures and discovering new places. She has her eyes and heart set on the US! She says that the people here are extraordinary and diverse, and she knows she will learn and grow so much from having this exchange experience. Rosalie is an easy-going girl and gets along well with people of all ages. she is very used to caring for her younger brother and sister. She is also very fond of animals, especially her cat named Pomme. When she is not working on her studies, Rosalie likes to shop, go to movies, draw and ride her bike. She enjoys swimming in the summer and skiing in the winter as well. She knows how lucky she is to be chosen by a host family like yours and cannot wait to make this year a great reality!

He has courage. He has determination. This young man loves to mountain bike - 5oo kilometers for four days - He just cannot get enough. He is confident and sure when it comes to making decisions. He takes his future quite seriously and understands the value of a good education. He also can cook many delicious Chinese dishes. With a fondness for family and a great desire to be involved and active with yours, he will quickly be your very own son indeed. He also has a great love for history so if you enjoy those deeper discussions and debates you will really have fun and learn lots. This young man is sure to inspire you with his positive attitude and also will bring lots of joy to your home!

Sophie from France is a 17 year old old soul. She has eclectic interests and is very mature for her age as well. For example she loves playing the piano, the guitar and singing to her favorite music from the Rolling Stones and the Clash. Her parents are in electronics and computer science, but Sophie has a knack for languages, history, and sociology. She is excited to come to the states to study theater and music as those classes aren't offered in France. She has postponed her year of coming abroad as she is really wanting to be open minded, and learn about herself in this process. Oh, and she wants you to know that she is growing our her hair to donate to cancer wigs - so her hair won't look like it does in her profile picture. Her next hair cut will be in April.

Francisca, who likes to go by Kika is a fun loving but sensible girl. She gets on well with just about everybody and has a very sunny disposition! She loves everything to do with the arts, drawing, painting, music, etc. She comes from a loving family, even though her parents are divorced she shares time with both of them and loves their special time together. When she’s with her mother and sister, they always make sure they eat together in the evenings, even if their days are busy so they can connect and support each other. On the weekends they also like to spend time together, usually going for a walk on the beach. Summers are spent surfing, reading and hanging out with her friends. Fransisca has always been interested in learning all about other cultures and she loves to make friends, so this will be the perfect opportunity for her to mix both and become a loving, friendly and fun part of your family!

Meet Alvaro. He describes himself as friendly, pleasant, talkative but humble. He lives in a small village with his parents and younger twin sisters. He loves his family and is always spending time with them. They like to travel and find new places to explore. He enjoys spending time outdoors, no matter what the weather is like that day! He is very passionate about playing the clarinet and is even a member of a local music organization that practices and performs in their town. He is especially interested in sports, mainly football. He hopes to play on many teams while he is here. He sees himself being an engineer in the future and plans on working very hard to make his dreams a reality. He is very excited for the opportunity to come to America and expand his knowledge of our culture.

Marta lives in Northwest Spain with her family, whom she is close with. She enjoys spending time with her family as well as her friends. Marta and her friends enjoy; shopping, going to the cinema, swimming, walking around the city and going to lunch together. "Another activity I like to do with my friends is to disguise during Halloween and carnival, it is really funny because we get ready and we buy the costume side by side." Although Marta likes cats and dogs, she is unable to live in a home with an indoor cat or dog as she is allergic. Marta keeps busy playing the piano, she attends a music school where she learns piano and sings in the choir. "This is very important activity to me because it helps me to wind down and be more confident." In the future, this Spanish scholarship winner hopes to go to university and study biotechnology. Marta also hopes to travel all around the world and know as many countries and people as possible. Marta is so happy to share this experience with you, 'thank you so much for your hospitality.'

Gina, a 17 year old girl, 'well-tempered and outgoing child,' from Taiwan is looking forward to being exchange student in America. Gina selected America because she admires the spirit of optimism, adventure and positive attitude. She had a cousin who was an exchange student, which makes her even more interested in the program. Gina's parents taught her to be independent, proactive and communicate from a very young age. These skills will all be beneficial for her time as an exchange student! In Taiwan, Gina lives with her parents and 'granny.' Gina likes to run and makes sure to exercise to stay healthy and uses running as a chance to release pressure from work. While in the US she hopes to ski, sight see at museums and try out many other new life experiences. "I hope I can improve myself in many ways like conversations with foreigners or handle house chores on my own." Gina is excited to meet you and is sure if you select her as a daughter you will have a great time together!

Say hello to Juan Pedro! He loves to sing and enjoys doing so whatever his mood may be. Isn't song a wonderful way of expression? He hopes to one day be a singer. He also plans to study math so that he can become a teacher one day. He loves dogs and rabbits - he would truly love to be in a home that has them too since he has no pets of his own. Basketball is his favorite sport to play even though he "Is awful at sports" He certainly has a good spirit about him! He is really looking forward to his new family as well as some snow and a totally new experience!