Meet Our Students

Meet Dilnaza, an exceptionally intelligent young woman who is proficient in five languages: Turkish, Uzbek, Russian, German, and English. Coming from a large family, she takes great pride in her role as the eldest sister to four siblings. In her leisure time, Dilnaza enjoys playing volleyball, reading, cooking, and appreciating the beauty of the outdoors. She recognizes the numerous advantages she can both gain and offer through the exchange program. With her talent for preparing a variety of traditional dishes and her passion for volunteering, she anticipates being a valuable addition to your daily meals and introducing you to some delectable culinary experiences. Throughout this exchange year, she hopes to create lasting memories with your family and classmates while exploring new ethnicities, cultures, and traditions.

Introducing Tan, an enthusiastic girl from Thailand who loves all animals except for reptiles! She loves music of all genres, being in nature, and children. She says that being in nature brings her peace. She wants to study business, economics, or accounting so she can help support her family’s business. She wrote: “I chose the field of business because I value creativity and freedom in my work. I enjoy thinking of new ideas and finding solutions, which is why I believe business studies will suit me well. Additionally, I’m excited to develop language skills that will help me communicate in professional and social settings alike, making it easier to work with people from various cultures and backgrounds.” Tan also wrote that changing schools taught her resiliency and adaptability.

Meet 17-year-old Suzie from the Netherlands, where she lives with her parents and visits her grandparents on their farm every weekend. Suzie loves animals, especially horses and dogs, and she enjoys going to their stables with her mother to take care of the horses and ride together. During the winter months, her family enjoys skiing, and this is where she bonds with her father as they race one another. She really likes to spend time with friends, but also likes baking and watching movies at home. Besides having fun, she works as a cashier, cleaning stables, and at a drugstore. One of the main reasons that she is doing this exchange is to know more about America and its culture. “I would really like to try a lot of new things and experience them with my host family as well.”

Fanny has a philosophy to take life as it comes and enjoy every moment! Her older brother studies lighting design and does magic shows, and Fanny likes being able to help him. Her mom teaches kindergarten, and Fanny loves children as well. Working with children and young people at a rec center during school holidays also brings her much joy. She loves teaching them painting, arts, and crafts. Fanny loves animals in general but especially her cat. Music is also important and a big part of her life. Rap is her favorite, but she listens to various genres. Another passion is cooking. She loves experimenting with different recipes whether elaborate savory dishes or intricately decorated cakes. She loves sharing meals with others and can’t wait to share her culinary adventures with you! Fanny is open minded, simple and easy going. She has had the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures and is excited to immerse herself into the American cultures.

Andero is an enthusiastic and adventurous individual from the southeastern part of Estonia. Excited about exploring new cultures and traditions, he is embarking on a journey as an exchange student in the United States. He is fascinated by American holidays like Halloween and the extravagant Christmas decorations, as well as the dynamic spirit of school sports and community involvement. A lifelong football enthusiast, who has played the sport for over a decade and cherishes the memories of being part of a historic tournament win with his team. Although currently on a break due to an injury, he channels his passion for fitness into kickboxing and gym training, which have transformed his strength and confidence. Beyond sports, he is a skilled cook who enjoys experimenting with new recipes, a talent passed down from his mother, a former baker. He is also a great listener and communicator, valuing deep connections and meaningful conversations. With his curious nature and open heart, Andero looks forward to making new friends, experiencing American culture, and creating unforgettable memories during his exchange program. This journey is a stepping stone toward his dream of learning and growing while sharing his own culture and traditions with the world.

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.

Benni is a friendly, open-minded, and active teen excited to experience American life! He loves basketball, acting, and spending time with his family—including his twin brother, dog Zora, and cat. He also enjoys breakdancing, snowboarding, and earned his lifeguard certification last year. At home in East Germany, Benni attends a rigorous school and lives with his doctor dad and psychotherapist mom. He’s eager to improve his English, make new friends, and join a host family for a life-changing adventure in the U.S. He's helpful, social, and always up for a good laugh!

Léa, a 17-year-old student from a charming village in France, radiates warmth and positivity. Growing up in a loving environment with her mother, grandparents, and three cherished cats, she has developed strong values and a cheerful personality. Currently in the STMG program, focused on economics, law, and communication, Léa is passionate about working with people and creating memorable experiences. She has lead groups of children during holidays—a role she thrives in with her natural leadership and enthusiasm. Léa loves skiing, the mountains, the beach, and traveling, finding joy in nature and adventure. Eager to immerse herself in American culture, she dreams of celebrating traditions like Thanksgiving while sharing her French heritage through cuisine and language. Léa’s social, spontaneous, and thoughtful nature promises a delightful cultural exchange filled with laughter, discovery, and unforgettable moments for her host family. You will not regret choosing her as your host student!

Lizi is a warm, outgoing 15-year-old from Georgia who is eager to embrace life in the U.S. She values family time, enjoys playing board games, and loves caring for her little brother and dog, Jessie. With a passion for creativity, Lizi enjoys drawing, writing poetry, and performing in plays. She has a deep appreciation for traditions, from cooking Georgian meals to celebrating unique holidays like "chiakokonoba." As a true extrovert, she cherishes friendships, movie nights, and cooking for those she cares about. She hopes to explore American customs, taste new foods, and experience celebrations like Halloween and Thanksgiving. Dancing has been a lifelong joy for her, connecting her to Georgian culture and creating lasting friendships. Lizi looks forward to forming meaningful bonds with her host family while discovering all the exciting opportunities a new town has to offer!

“This trip is close to my heart because I've been dreaming of it for a very long time. It brings together my desire to discover new cultures, to discover other ways of life, the traditions of other families, and of another country.” Anais is a bright, talented student from France who loves to laugh. Competing nationally in ice skating, she is driven and motivated, hoping to one day be a doctor. Anais loves all kinds of sports including dancing, surfing, and tennis. She loves riding bikes, playing board games, and beach volleyball with her family. Coaching young ice skaters and seeing them grow has been a source of joy, as has reading and discovering new cultures. From a mixture of cultures herself, Anais has also been learning Spanish since she was a young child. Her friends and family are super close, including her older brother who she really looks up to. Anais is so excited to experience life as a high schooler in America!