Dear future family,

My name is Lea and I'm 16 year-old girl from Slovakia. I'm really excited that I can be part of this experience and to be part of a new family. I percieve this exchange stay as a great opportunity to learn something about your culture, to know a lot of new people and to be better in english language. 

I live with my mother because my parents are separated so I meet my father one time per two weeks during a weekend. We live in an apartment in the city center. Sometimes I travel with my mother abroad and with my father I usually go on trips around Slovakia. Me and my mother often go for walks in nature and we also watch TV series together. I really enjoy time when we watch my favourite TV series 'Friends' and I also really enjoy going for walks when we just clear our heads.

You may have understood from previous sentences that one of my hobbies is travelling. I saw a lot of beautiful places and the country that Iiked the most so far was Sri Lanka. The people there are very kind, grateful and helpful, and the landscape is incredibly beautiful. Besides travelling, I'm interested in theater and dance. I have been doing theater for four years and I really enjoy when I can play roles in different emotional states because it teaches me a lot to work with emotions and also to be empathetic person. I only play those roles, but some people live it in real life. I dance Slovak folklore for 9 years.  As for school, my favorite subjects are Slovak, English and history. English and Slovak because I enjoy writing some essays and stories and history because I am fascinated by the life of our ancestors.

If I should describe myself as a person, I would say that I'm very friendly and communicative person. I like to go to various cultural events with my friends or just play tenis or badminton with them. I like to laugh and I'm a realist, but I always try to think positively. I help others if they need it and I also help in the household, for example sometimes I cook something, prepare the table for eating or fold the laundry. My most favorite food that I prepare is rather a snack and it is a baked tortilla with ham, cheese and vegetables. I also tend to make creamy broccoli soup or spaghetti. I prefer vegetable food and the only vegetable I don't like are tomatoes.

I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to get to know your country. I believe that we will have many wonderful experiences together and that I will learn something about the everyday life of a person in America.

I can't wait to spend the next school year with you. Thank you very much for entering your home to me.

Best,

Lea

Dear family,

I think of myself as someone positive and energetic, always with some motivation to do something, sometimes I feel down but the majority of times I have a very optimistic view of things, I'd say that I'm very humorous, I like cracking some jokes here and there, I love some humor.

I live in a family of three, we are all close to each other, we trust each other, even if we don't do have much free time together we watch a movie or go on a walk, and those are always good times and memories.

My school is calm, can get stressful towards the mid year, but I love what I study, things like computer science, programs and such always fascinated me. I might not be the best at school but I do manage to get good grades, especially on the subjects I'm most interested in, I could spend hours just researching and studying those. I love listening to music, especially rap or indie songs, when I feel bored I play some music to get my day going, get some energy to push through the day, I do spend some time on video games too, since I was a kid I was always involved in the computer area, so video games are a must thing for me, but I don't mean to game all day, I could even go weeks without touching one, but I do like spending some time on them when I'm free and don't have any plans. I practice basketball, not a passion that I always had but one that I recently discovered, last year for example I started playing basketball casually on public courts, and that brought me now to me playing for a renowned team in my city! I used to play volleyball before basketball, I'd say it was because my sister insisted in me trying out for a volleyball team, and I loved it at first but then it got too boring for me, so I had to change things up a bit. Let's talk about my typical day now, on weekdays I wake up early to go to school, around 7am, and start school at 8:10am, school is where i meet most of my friends so i'm always happy to go and attend as long as I have some company with me, I finish at 1:40pm, and get back home, around 2:00pm, I like to spend my afternoons in relaxation, so I either play games, or plan something with my friends, then I usually have practice around 6-7:30 pm where they usually last an hour and a half, when I come home I'm tired so to freshen up I take a shower and then do my homework, eat dinner, and then I relax again, I go to sleep around 10.30 pm .On the other hand, I consider weekends as recharging days, so I sleep until later, do my morning routine, and if I have plans with my friends I go out with them, or stay at home and relax all day, I don't mind some individual basketball practice though, as that's how it usually goes : I go out at around 3:00 pm and play ball until sunset so around 6-7pm.

There were some things about me!

Thank you for reading!

My name is Lucia, and I am 14 years old. I am excited to have the opportunity to share a little bit about myself and why I am eager to take part in this program.

I would describe myself as a cheerful, fun, and positive person. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends, and I find it easy to connect with others. I believe that I adapt quickly to new situations, which helps me embrace challenges with an open mind and a positive attitude. I’m very family-oriented and love spending time with my loved ones, especially with my parents and my sister. We are a close-knit family, and I value every moment spent together. I think this experience will allow me to grow, both as an individual and as part of a new family in the United States, and I look forward to learning from this adventure.

Regarding my studies, I always strive to put in my best effort and work hard to improve every year. I particularly enjoy subjects like Math and History, as I love solving problems and learning about the past. I’ve been at the same school since I was three years old, which means I know my teachers and classmates very well. We have a strong bond, Of course, I know I’ll miss them, but they’re all very supportive of me pursuing this opportunity, and they encourage me to make the most of it.

Growing up, I tried various sports, such as rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating, but my parents suggested that I try a team sport outside of school. That’s when I joined a women’s football (soccer) team, and I’ve been playing for five years now. It’s been an incredible experience not only because I love the sport, but also because I’ve learned valuable lessons about teamwork, discipline, and commitment. Football has taught me the importance of showing up no matter the circumstances—whether it’s cold, rainy, or inconvenient, I’ve learned that the team relies on each member.

In my free time, I enjoy doing a variety of things. I love spending time with my friends, going on small trips with my family, and exploring new places. I also have a passion for cooking, especially when it comes to making desserts. My sister also plays football, and whenever possible, I love going to watch her games and cheering her on. Besides sports and spending time with family and friends, I’m a fan of cinema and watching TV series, although I’ll admit that I’m not much of a reader—yet! I’ve been trying to get into books more, but I find it hard to sit still for too long when there are so many other things to do.

I have always been fascinated by life in the United States, its culture, and way of living. That’s why I’ve been eagerly waiting for the chance to experience it firsthand. I am also excited to improve my English, as I believe it is very important for my future.

Thank you very much for considering me for this wonderful opportunity. I look forward to meeting my American family and experiencing all the things I’ve always dreamed of.

Sincerely,Lucia

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Sion, and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to stay with your family and experience life in the United States. I can’t wait to learn more about your culture, share my own experiences, and create unforgettable memories together.

One of my biggest passions is sports. I love staying active, and sports are a huge part of my life. I’m especially passionate about basketball, American football, snowboarding, and skateboarding. The excitement and challenge these sports bring are what I enjoy most. Whether it’s shooting hoops with friends, playing a fun game of football, carving down a snowy slope, or skateboarding through the streets, these activities keep me moving while having a great time with others. I’m particularly looking forward to experiencing American football in the U.S. since I know it’s such an important part of American culture. If your family participates in any local sports or games, I’d love to join in!

In addition to sports, I’m also passionate about music. I play the guitar and the flute, and I love how music allows me to express myself. Whether I’m strumming the guitar or playing melodies on the flute, music always brings people together. I enjoy listening to various genres too, so I’m excited to share this passion with you. It would be great to listen to music together or even explore some new songs and artists as a family.

I love listening to music and enjoy a variety of genres. Music helps me express myself and connect with others. I’m excited to share some of my favorite songs with you and also learn about the music you enjoy.

I’m also really looking forward to learning more about American culture. I can’t wait to see how people in the U.S. live, the traditions they celebrate, and the unique customs of your country. This exchange is a great opportunity for me to grow and experience new things, and I’m eager to dive in and learn as much as I can.

As much as I’m excited to learn from your family and experience American culture, I’m also eager to share my own culture with you. I believe that cultural exchange is all about learning from one another, and I would love to introduce you to aspects of my life back home. I can teach you some phrases in my native language, share interesting facts about my country’s traditions, and tell you about the sports I love. If you're interested in basketball, American football, snowboarding, or skateboarding, I’d be happy to teach you a few tips!

I also want to contribute to your family in any way I can. Whether it’s helping out with household chores, joining in family activities, or simply sharing stories, I’m excited to be an active and involved part of your family. I truly believe this exchange will be an enriching experience for all of us, and I can’t wait to make lasting connections with you.

Thank you so much for considering me.

Dear Host Family,

My name is Rachele, I am 16 years old, and I live in a small town in northern Italy, near the sea. I can hardly believe I’m writing this letter! It’s the first concrete step toward my adventure in USA. Even though it’s hard to express everything I want to say in just one letter, I’ll do my best!

I’m an enterprising, sunny, and sociable person, although I take a little time to open up to others. My parents have always taught me that good manners are at the foundation of everything. Sometimes I get upset if things don’t go the way I expect, but I’m always ready for a discussion and to listen to others.

I am currently in my third year of high school, studying Applied Science. This year I’ve had many new teachers, and I’m really enjoying it. My favorite subjects are science, Italian literature, philosophy, and, of course, English.

I’m an only child and live with my mom and dad, although I’ve always wished I had a sister around my age. I hope to find one in the United States!

I like to keep myself busy and plan my days. I enjoy sports, although since I started high school I’ve had less time to dedicate to them, and now I only go to the gym twice a week. I have practiced several types of dance, tennis, and especially swimming for years. I love Italian cuisine and I’m learning how to cook, so I can share our typical dishes with you.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends, and when the weather is warm, I enjoy long bike rides and walks. On weekends, I usually go to the cinema or go shopping with my friends, but I also spend a lot of time with my family!

My family and I often go on trips, both short ones to nearby cities in Italy, and longer ones to explore the beauties of Europe. In the summer, we often go to Greece and southern Italy, where the sea is always amazing, and there are countless activities to do. Although I’m not a fan of the cold, I really enjoy skiing, and almost every winter we go to the mountains for a few days.

We’ve also been to Barcelona in Spain and London in England, both rich in history! I love discovering new traditions and cultures from countries different from my own, and I can’t wait to learn about American culture, which has always fascinated me.

I want to do this exchange year abroad for several reasons. Most of all, I want to challenge myself and learn to manage on my own in a reality different from the one I’ve grown up in. I also see this experience as an opportunity to make new friends and improve my language skills, so that I can express myself at my best.

I am really excited about the opportunity to be part of your family, and I can’t wait to experience all that this year has in store.

Thank you so much for considering me!

Best regards,

Rachele