Dear family,

I have been waiting all my life to write this letter. I’m R. and I’m sixteen years old. I am a sociable and ambitious girl who is always happy at the idea of trying new experiences. Living abroad is one of them. I always wanted to live “the American dream,” walking between lockers in school hallways, going to football games, eating turkey on Thanksgiving Day and watching the Super Bowl on TV.

Last summer, visiting New York for the first time, I realized that I wanted to live, even if for a limited time, the life of a high school student.

I live in northern Italy in a small town not far from my school with my parents, C. and P., and my brother M. I have a good relationship with my parents, they support me in every choice I make. It is thanks to them (and to you) that next year I will have the chance to live my dream of becoming an exchange student in the USA. My brother is also my best friend. He’s one year younger than me, we grew up together, there are no secrets between us. Sometimes we quarrel because we are both a bit stubborn but deep down we love each other. I will miss them very much but I think this experience will make me grow a lot and also become even more independent.

My school is quite big and focuses on scientific subjects. We spend many hours a week solving math problems and doing calculations. There is a chemistry lab, a physics lab and two computer rooms. The classrooms are modern and brightly colored. There are two very large gyms and a smaller one where we play volleyball. My favorite subjects are math and English but I also really like humanities subjects like Italian and philosophy. I am also very interested in studying biology as I have always dreamed of becoming a doctor. Fortunately, my school gives me the opportunity to further this passion of mine through an afternoon class.

My favorite hobby is taking pictures, especially during my travels. I really enjoy printing them out and hanging them on my bedroom wall. Another hobby of mine is listening to music. I buy CDs and LPs of my favorite singers very often. I am also a big soccer fan. I always watch the matches of my favorite team, Juventus, on TV or at the stadium, but I also enjoy watching my brother's team matches. My favorite sports include swimming, which I have played many years competitively, and tennis, that I use to practice with my dad.

Having swum for many years I have recently started taking the course to become a lifeguard so that I can work next summer.

On a typical day of mine I wake up at 6.30. After having breakfast with my family and I go to school. School starts at eight o’ clock and finishes at two o’ clock. At the end of class I usually go to my grandparents' house for lunch. After lunch I study and do my homework, and at around six o'clock I go playing tennis. In the evening, after having dinner I spend some time with my family. Afterwards I often watch some TV series and then go to sleep around eleven o'clock.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

R.

Dear Future Host Family,

Thank you very much for considering welcoming me into your home! I am very excited about my time in the USA and looking forward to all the new experiences that await me.

My name is Matti. I am 15 years old, and I live in Germany. I live with my parents, my older sister, and our dog. Our family is very close, and we do a lot together, like family game nights or watching movies.

In my free time, I enjoy working out in the gym, drawing, and spending time with my friends. We hang out, go on walks, talk, or just play video games together. Since I was a little kid, I’ve been skiing, and more recently, I’ve taken up snowboarding, which I really enjoy. Additionally, I played the drums for a long time. Although I don’t play anymore at the moment, it was a big part of my life for many years. I have also spent 8 years with my grandparents and family most of the holidays at a holiday house by the North Sea, which is something I really cherish. Those times together were very special and brought me even closer to my family.

I’ve been thinking of spending an exchange year in the USA for quite a while now. The opportunity to live in a new environment, with a different family for an entire year, make new friends, and improve my English skills is really exciting, and it is a chance that I won’t get often. I am particularly looking forward to becoming a part of your daily family life and discovering new hobbies that might not be available here, like surfing.

I consider myself an open and curious person, and I look forward to learning about your traditions and way of life. I’m excited to see what the year in the USA will bring and hope that we can share many wonderful and unforgettable moments together.

Thank you again for your willingness to host me. I am very much looking forward to meeting you and spending time together.

Best regards,

Matti

My name is Giulia, and I come from a small city in Italy, but I have travelled a lot. Since I was a child, I have always loved visiting new places, discovering different cultures and traditions, and meeting new people. I believe I am an open-minded person because my parents taught me to respect all kinds of people, places, and cultures. I am always excited to start new experiences and challenge myself.

I’m a sunny girl. I love having fun and going out with friends, but at the same time I work hard to achieve my goals, both in my study and in my private life.

I’ve always liked to go to school; I'm good enough, especially in scientific subjects. Although school gives me the possibility to build up beautiful relationships. People have always recognised that I'm diligent and responsible. Since I was a child I’ve been independent and organized, also, facing the adult world by helping my parents in the housework or doing experiences as a babysitter. I’m really sensitive and empathetic, just like my mom, with whom I'm really close. We have a fantastic relationship, with her I'm honest and we talk about everything. We’ve many things in common and we support each other. Having her by my side gives me the strength to face every difficulty. I also have a really sweet dad, that would do everything to make me happy, and a brother with whom I have a strong emotional bond. His name is Tommaso, he’s older than me, he sings and plays the guitar really well, and he’s thinking to have an abroad experience, too. Although we often argue, I love him a lot and I'm so proud of him. I am very close to my family, which is truly wonderful.I’m really lucky to have a lot of wonderful people in my life, especially my best friends: Anna, Lucrezia, Annachiara and in particular Sofia, whom I've been inseparable since we were 3 years old. We spend a lot of time together and we share many passions, such as volleyball, the sport that I'm practicing for 4 years l. All of them are really special girls. They are pretty, funny, kind and they always manage to put a smile on my face. I grew up with them and they are almost part of my family.My parents are happy that I have these important and reliable models I can always count on. I’m also very close to my family. I love my grandparents; they practically raised me and always spoiled me when they could. My grandfather is less affectionate but still manages to show his love. He passed on to me the love for cooking, and every Sunday the whole family gathers for lunch at his house, where he always cooks like he has to feed an army. I’m grateful to have such a beautiful family that loves me this much. To conclude, I am very grateful for the life I lead because I have the opportunity to do everything I love and be surrounded by wonderful people. If I ever have to leave I know I will miss them, but I also know they will be with me throughout my journey because these are deep and genuine bonds that nothing will change.

Dear host family,

My name is Ylana I am 17 years old.

I am a person who like to read romance book, listen music, ride a horse, spend time with my family and friends, I also like to find myself alone. I really like animals (I have a dog a French bulldog more precisely) I like to discover new things and meet new people ! I am someone who adapts very easily, calm and a little shy but I am very open to the new experience ! 🤗

I look forward to discovering American culture, your traditions, discovering new activities, the history of your country and especially your family.

I hope to share my culture with you, whether through music, cooking or other.

I think this year of exchange will bring me a lot and make me evolve.

This year will make me grow, live a new experience and get me out of my comfort zone. I will discover the American culture that has always attracted me!

During my stay with your family, I hope to establish sincere links and create unforgettable memories. I am open to new experiences. I think this trip will be a transformative and enriching experience for me, and I am grateful to be able to experience this adventure so dreamed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. In the hope that I could make you want to welcome me to your family. Please accept my sincere greetings.

Ylana

Hello, my name is Julia. I am 15 years old and now I’m in fourth of ESO, the city where I live is Santander. It is located in Cantabria, in the north of Spain and I think it is very beautiful because, on the one hand, it has a nice coastline and, on the other hand, it is surrounded by mountains. My house is medium sized. It is quite nicely decorated and has three bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a room with a desk. My room is also medium sized and it is always quite tidy. I usually keep everything pretty tidy and well looked after because it's the place where I study and where I live.

My parents are a fundamental part of my life, and I love spending time with them! My mom, Maria, enjoys traveling, reading, and going to the gym. She teaches five-year-olds and her love for her job has inspired my fondness for working with young children. My dad, Juan, loves traveling too, but he’s especially passionate about diving. He works at the town hall in Santander, our city. My grandmother is like a close friend to me, and I treasure our Saturday sleepovers where we play games and she makes my favorite dinner. It’s the best day of my week. I also love my other grandparents, but I don’t see them as often because they live about four and a half hours away by car. We always spend Christmas together at their house, and during the summer, I live with them. Those months are my favorite since I spend quality time with them, go on walks, and help my grandfather in his garden. I have a fantastic relationship with my cousins, uncles, and the rest of my extended family. I come from a big family, which I love because I’m a very family-oriented and social person.

As for pets, I ride horses so my favorite animals are ponies. At home I don't have any pets but I would love to have one. Anyway, in the house in the village, where my grandparents live, we have a dog, it is my grandfather's best friend, its name is Toby and it is quite big but very affectionate, it loves to be hugged and cuddled.

I go to a fairly small school, there are students from 2 years old to 16, I've been here all my life and I've learned a lot. My favorite subjects are English and Maths and even though I don't know what to do in the future, I would like to study marketing or something like that.

My favorite sport is horseback riding, I always ride a pony named Nairobi who jumps great, together we jump pretty high and well. I also surf and scuba dive with my dad, I enjoy water sports a lot. Another of my hobbies are making crafts, cooking, playing board games…

This year in the USA I hope to have a great time and learn a lot, these are my priorities, both about the English language and about the American culture since it is very different from the Spanish one. I would also like to teach my host family a part of the Spanish culture, I am also learning how to cook to teach you.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

Thank you for your time.