Letter to Host Family: Hello! I am excited to introduce myself. Since I was little, I have been going to different activities after school, such as swimming, acting or painting classes. But the most important ones for me are dancing and riding horses. I have been dancing since I was 8 years old. The other sport that I like doing most is riding horses. I considered it the most special sport for me because I love horses and riding them is very special for me. I also simply like staying with horses, washing or taking a walk with them. Unfortunately, I can’t ride horses as much as I would like to. Because of that, I have started rowing. I am an only child, and I live with my mother and her husband, whereas my father lives in another town. I have a very good relationship with my family, and I try to see them as much as I can. I have lunch with my aunt and grandparents everyday and I like playing with my cousins, who are younger than me. In my house, I prepare the table for dinner and I also help clearing the table. I try to keep my bedroom tidy and I help my mother hanging clothes from the washing machine. At school, I like taking part in the activities that they plan. For example, if they need help to organize an activity, I like helping with it. In the future, I would like to be a cook and have my own restaurant. I am very interested in restaurants and different types of methods to prepare food. I want to go to the United States to know more about the culture and people. But what I am really interested in are the Fridays of football games, practicing an American sport like cheerleader, going to an American high school and knowing the study methods there and to participate in the high school activities, among many other reasons.

Letter to Host Family: My name is Mael, and I am 15 years old. I live with my father, mother and little sister, who is ten years old. At home, my sister and I have various responsibilities: we have to unload the dishwasher, set and unset the table, clean our bathroom, and keep our rooms clean. I take a Euro class, which means that I have 5 hours of English per week instead of 3, and I also study German. When I am not in high school, I like reading, either classical literature or novels, and I also like practicing sports. I play basketball several times a week, and I also do shuffle dance for 1 hour on Wednesday evenings. I practice fitness once a week, sometimes with my sister. I appreciate discussing different things with her or inventing games we could play. When I spend time with my father, we often go for a walk and discuss different subjects, including politics or friends. I also like to go for runs with my parents. I like to take pictures or go shopping when I am with my mother. When we decide to spend time all together, we watch movies, and every summer we go on a several-day hike. I am very interested in following national and international news, especially politics, because I like to try and understand the reasons why different events occur. I also really like to write, either poems or speeches for personal occasions. When I was in 9th grade, I participated in an eloquence contest (Eloquentia). I was selected for the national contest, in which I was rewarded. The fact that I am interested in these various subjects makes me lean toward a political or journalistic college after high school. America is a very big and influential country, and I think understanding how its political system functions would be very interesting. I would also like to learn more about American history and how a country that was created only in the 18th century became one of the most powerful ones in the world. I would be very interested in discovering another culture and way of living by spending a year with an American family. Of course, I will be happy to give you more information about me and exchange more with you, if you would like!

Letter to Host Family: Hello, my name is Tom. I live in Brazil and I am 15 years old. I live in two different homes: I spend one week with my mother, my stepfather, my brother (8 years old) and my sister (4 years old) , and the following week with my father, my stepmother, my brother (2 years old) , and my sister (six months). I love animals; I have 2 cats and a dog. I love listening to music. My favorite genres are trap, electronic music, hip-hop, and others. I love playing sports, especially soccer, and I support the Fluminense team and am a fan of Barcelona. My favorite foods are hamburgers, pizza, stroganoff, barbecue, and I love chocolate. My responsibilities at school are to get good grades and not make too much of a mess, and my responsibilities at home are to tidy up my room, make my bed, do the grocery shopping, and sometimes clear the table. My relationship with my family is very good; I have a large family, and I get along well with everyone. Socially, I am a bit reserved, but over time, as I get to know people better, I become more open and less shy. I chose to do this program to experience new things beyond Brazil, to get to know the USA, and to gain new experiences. I think it will be very important for my personal and professional growth in the future. It will be a great experience to adapt to a new culture, meet new people, and make new friends. Goodbye, hugs, and see you soon!

Letter to Host Family: Thank you so much for the opportunity to live with you and make my dream of spending a year in the U.S. come true! My name is Tara, I’m 16 years old, and I live with my parents, my younger brother, and our cat in a small town. I’ve dreamed of doing an exchange year in the U.S. since I was a teenager—I’m especially excited to experience high school life, American holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and your everyday routines. I’m a friendly, open person who makes friends easily, and I’m always curious to try new things. I’m also a huge animal lover, which is why I’m vegetarian. In my free time, I work part-time at an ice cream shop (which I love—especially the ice cream!), hang out with my friends, go skating in the summer, or hunt for hidden treasures at thrift stores and flea markets. I enjoy reading, especially romance novels, and I love creative hobbies like making my own jewelry and sewing with my mom or friends. I also enjoy baking and cooking, and I’d love to share some of my favorite vegetarian meals and desserts with you! In the U.S., I’d really like to try cheerleading—I've danced for years and would love to get back into it. I’m also interested in trying tennis or drama if the opportunity comes up. I hope this letter gave you a glimpse into my life, and I’m so excited to meet you soon!

Letter to Host Family: First of all, I want to thank you for considering hosting me. It has been a dream of mine to experience the American way of living for years. I would love to be part of your family and get to know your traditions and values. I hope to find a second family and new friends.I live in a small town in Austria with my family. In my spare time I love to bake (my specialty is lemon cake) and to read. Another hobby I am very keen on is dancing. I go to Lyrical and Modern Dance classes two times a week. What I love about dancing is that I can express my feelings and forget everything else for a few minutes. I also like to spend time with my friends and my rabbit who is called Sammy. He is the sweetest. My sister Luisa is eleven years old and we can talk about everything. She is really cute, and I would consider her one of my best friends. As I mentioned before, I am interested in books. That is why I volunteer at our school library two times a week. There I sort in all the books and help people who want to check a book out. At home I often prepare breakfast for the whole family, because I am the first person to wake up during the week. Other duties I have are to feed my rabbit and to clean his hutch. Sometimes I also do the laundry. In the future I would like to study medicine or marine biology. Helping people is something that fulfills me and that is why I want to become a doctor. Thank you again for (maybe) hosting me. I look forward to meeting you.

Letter to Host Family: Hi! My name is Mouna, I’m 15 years old and I live in Switzerland. Thank you so much for welcoming me into your home—it means the world to me, and I’m so excited for this experience! Since 7th grade, I’ve dreamed of spending a year in the U.S. I love reading (especially fantasy), listening to music, singing, dancing, and playing the piano. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family, but I’m just as happy having quiet time alone. I live with my parents, my younger brother, and our cat Siggy. I also work as a babysitter. I love being around children and animals, and I’d be thrilled if my host family had kids I could bond with like a big or little sister. I’m friendly, open-minded, and always try my best. I want to become a teacher one day and I take school seriously. I know this exchange will be a big adventure, and I can’t wait to meet you and experience American life with your family. Thank you again for making my dream come true!

Letter to Host Family: Hi! My name is Iheb. I’m 16 years old and the chance to join your family fills me with excitement and gratitude. I come from a loving, close-knit family. My dad is a telecommunications engineer, my mom is a French teacher, and I have two amazing sisters. Our home is filled with conversation, laughter, and shared meals where we talk about everything from world news to our dreams. We also love traveling together, especially during holidays and summer breaks. At home, I enjoy helping out—whether it’s chores, assisting my mom in the kitchen (especially during Ramadan), or supporting my sister with her schoolwork. I take pride in being a caring older brother. I’m passionate about reading, especially topics like politics, history, and literature. I’m active in my school’s Citizenship Club (which I lead), participate in MUNs, and love thoughtful discussions. When I’m not studying or at an event, I’m out with my friends, exploring new places—from city spots to recent trips like one to the Sahara Desert. Looking ahead, I hope to pursue studies in law, geopolitics, or economics abroad. My dream is to make a positive impact—starting small, but with the hope of lasting change. I see this exchange as a powerful step toward that goal: a chance to grow, share my culture, and learn new ways of thinking. Thank you so much for opening your home to me. I’m truly excited to get to know you, experience your daily life, and make unforgettable memories together.

Letter to Host Family: My name is Alie. I am the seventh child of my parents, out of eight children. Currently, I live with my family in the same village where I was born. At home, my key responsibilities include fetching water, collecting firewood for cooking, and washing the pots and pans after meals. In my free time, I enjoy reading books, listening to the news, and playing football with my friends. My dream is to become a mechanical engineer in the future. I am very excited about the opportunity to stay with a host family in the U.S., and I promise to be a responsible and respectful host student. I am looking forward to gaining new experiences and knowledge during my time with you. From my exchange year, I would like to learn about your culture and I am hoping to share mine as well. I have heard that there are so many different kinds of food in the U.S., which is interesting because I love food. I would also love to engage in host family activities.

Letter to Host Family: First of all, thank you so much for welcoming me into your home! I’d love to introduce myself. My name is Estelle, I’m 15 years old, and I live in a small village surrounded by nature—which is perfect because my dog, Nala, loves our walks in the woods. I live with my parents, my older brother, my dog Nala, and our cat Misti. I’m very close to my family—we talk about everything, and I know they’ll always support me. They’ve taught me to be independent and open to new experiences, which is why I’m so excited for this exchange year. One of my biggest passions is dance. It helps me clear my mind, recharge, and express myself. I also teach dance to children twice a week, which I love—it’s amazing to see how excited they are to learn. Another hobby I really enjoy is cooking. I find it relaxing, and I love preparing meals for my friends and family. I’d describe myself as energetic, sociable, and empathetic. I enjoy spending time with friends, trying new things, and learning about different cultures. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing everyday life in the U.S. Thank you again for opening your home to me—I can’t wait to meet you!

Letter to Host Family: My name is Valentina, I’m 16 years old, and I come from a small town in the north of Italy, nestled in the Alps. I’m known for being friendly, responsible, and curious, and I’ve always loved meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Although I may seem shy at first, I’m very sociable, empathetic, and open-minded. I enjoy hearing other perspectives and sharing my own respectfully. I’m excited about the idea of becoming part of a new family, learning your traditions, and improving my English. I live with my parents, my sister, and my brother. We are a close and supportive family that enjoys spending time together—whether it’s eating meals, traveling, or simply talking. We also have an 11-year-old Labrador who has grown up with us and is a big part of our lives. Our home is surrounded by nature, with a garden and beautiful mountain views. I attend a language-focused high school where I study English, Spanish, German, and Italian. My favorite subjects are English and Spanish. I commute daily by public transport, which takes about two hours in total. My days are busy, but I enjoy learning and stay organized. Outside of school, I love spending time with friends, listening to music, skiing, watching movies, and exploring new places. I’ve practiced many sports over the years—volleyball, swimming, dancing, skiing, and more. During weekends, I enjoy relaxing with my family or going on short trips. I admire the culture, traditions, landscapes, and would love to experience everyday life there, while also sharing a bit of my own culture with you. Thank you so much for considering hosting me. I’ll be 17 when my exchange year begins, and I’m so excited for the adventures and connections ahead. I can’t wait to meet you!