Youth For Understanding USA

Bright and cheerful with a positive "can-do" attitude, Mitsuki from Japan has an unusual hobby - astronomy! She has been the president of her school astronomy club for 2 years, and she was even given the opportunity to write the English brochure for the local astronomical museum. Mitsuki is also a member of her school's student council, and has played the piano for 9 years. Mitsuki has lots of friends, and enjoys going for a hike, watching a movie, or singing karaoke with them. She also loves photography, and enjoys walking around her city taking pictures. In fact, she would love to join a photography club during her exchange year! Mitsuki is looking forward to sharing her Japanese culture with her host family, and is excited about the international viewpoint that she will get from living in the U.S.

Mature, cheerful and considerate, Shun from Japan would love to make your family Japanese dumplings! An active young man, he participates on both swimming and soccer teams. Quiet time is consumed with listening to music and reading literature of many genres, inspiring him to become a writer one day. Shared time with family is a priority, often spent cooking together, watching movies, and traveling. A diligent and social student, Shun is eager to to improve his language skills, often making class presentations in English. Demonstrating leadership, Shun assisted in organizing a cultural event at school, where he set up a booth sharing a variety of homemade dumplings. While on exchange, Shun hopes to become more independent, make many friends, discover new foods, share his culture, and "try whatever sounds fun." Eager to begin his American teenage experience, he acknowledges, "Without your big support, I cannot achieve my dream." Shun is dreaming of dumplings and his future host family!

Kind and always smiling is how friends would describe Mia from Japan! Mia is an active member of her school's swimming and badminton teams, and has recently started training in Kata - a solo form of Karate. She also enjoys being outdoors, watching movies, reading, and singing along to her favorite Pop songs. Mia has an interest in volunteering as well, currently helping to clean the streets of her city with friends. At home, Mia lends a helping hand by caring for her little sisters and practicing her cooking skills with her family. She would be happy to make you a traditional Japanese meal as a thank you for your kindness! With a fascination for history, Mia is excited for the opportunity to learn about American history during her exchange year. She is also eager to make many new friends and join an after-school club or activity. Inspired by tales from her mom and sister's wonderful exchange years, Mia is sure that she will treasure this experience with your family forever!

Attention robotics lovers! Gene from Japan has a passion for programming robots and computers. "I imagine programming new things and go ahead and do it," he writes! This ambitious young man also serves as the Vice President of his school's Student Council and volunteers in a kindergarten classroom. An excellent student who often helps his peers, he not only challenges himself academically but also in sports. Gene loves playing and watching basketball, especially enjoying the sound of the ball hitting the basket. A city boy, Gene hopes to experience activities not possible for him in Japan, such as fishing, camping, barbecuing, and eating a giant burger hot off the grill! Gene also wants to make new friends from different backgrounds and learn to understand their values. Most importantly, Gene writes, "I want to spend my year smiling and laughing a lot, having a great time and sharing happiness with you!"

"I am always excited and energetic to learn new things" says Preet from Pakistan! Preet is a 16 year old girl who describes herself as an ambitious and conscientious girl with a unique personality. She loves history and politics, and participates on the speech and debate teams at her school. In fact, she dreams of becoming a government officer for her country one day. Preet also has a love of creative writing, and is looking forward to expanding her writing skills while studying in the USA. During Preet's free time, you might find her baking on the weekends, going for walks after school, or sharing a cup of tea and conversation with her parents and little sister. She also enjoys playing badminton with her large circle of friends. Preet loves meeting new people and understanding different cultures. Her teacher feels that she is very mature and adapts well to new situations. "It will be a great, proud moment for me that I will represent my country in the US." YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Positive, creative, responsible and flexible, Adan from Pakistan is excited to come to the USA on exchange! She is a very diligent student with excellent grades whose favorite subject is science. In fact, Adan dreams of becoming a biotechnologist in the future! Adan loves reading novels and history books, and surfing the internet for the latest scientific research. She enjoys the love and affection of her large family, of which she is the youngest of six children. Adan loves spending time with her family watching TV, cooking, and sharing good conversation. With friends, Adan likes to play soccer, spend time outdoors, and play computer games. Adan has taken part in many local competitions in speech, writing, Quiz Bowl, and Model United Nations. As Adan looks forward to her exchange year, she hopes that the experience will help her learn more about her potentials, explore the growing world, and provide her with a platform for learning different cultures and languages. She thanks you for hosting! Is Adan the perfect fit for your family? YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Farouk from the Philippines is passionate about public service! He is very involved in community anti-drug programs, and hopes to advocate for others by becoming a lawyer or a doctor when he grows up. In his spare time, Farouk enjoys practicing with his volleyball team, singing, acting, cooking, and reading, especially detective novels. Farouk likes to watch Harry Potter and Marvel movies with his siblings and cousins as well, and looks forward to time spent with his close-knit group of friends. At school, Farouk is involved in the journalism club, and is known for being a courteous and responsible student. Farouk lives with his siblings and relatives, and strives to make sure each day is treasured. He appreciates the family and friends that have been there for him through tough times, but he believes in being positive and a role model for his siblings. One of his dreams is to visit as many different cities as possible because he is very curious about the world. While in the USA, he would also love to volunteer within his host community. Farouk is looking forward to sharing his culture with you and becoming a part of your family! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Described as being very creative, Oleksandra (you can call her "Sasha") from Ukraine loves both writing and drawing. Sasha writes articles and poems for the school newspaper, and she says that journalism is one of her favorite activities. She is also a member of the school debate club. An excellent student, Sasha does especially well in geography, history, and English. She speaks both Russian and Ukrainian at home, but also has very strong English skills. A typical day for Sasha would be going to school, going to drawing classes, and doing her homework. She also likes going for walks with her friends around the city. Sasha enjoys the theater, and even though briefly about becoming an actress, but she is pretty sure that she will do something in business instead. Sasha is in need of a home with no pets. FLEX SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Meet friendly and open-minded Dimitrije from Serbia! Dimitrije is a very active young man who enjoys keeping fit by going to the gym and swimming. He also loves hiking and biking in the beautiful mountains near his home. In the winter months, Dimitrije looks forward to ice skating and skiing, and in the summer, he can often be found near the water playing beach volleyball with friends. He and his friends also love to have cook-outs and watch movies together. One of Dimitrije's favorite hobbies is traveling with his family and taking photos that he later edits. He also plays chess and is a member of his school's drama club. Dimitrije has many academic interests, such as languages, economics, and art. He has studied English, French, Latin, and Chinese, in addition to his native Serbian language. Dimitrije plans to follow his love of economics and art by studying business or graphic design in college. While in the USA, Dimitrije is excited to share his culture, including the food, music, and history with your family. He can't wait to discover the American way of life! FLEX SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Polish student Wiktor's teachers describe him as being charismatic, ambitious, motivated, sociable, friendly, open, and having excellent rapport with classmates and teachers. They state that "although grades are important to him it is the curiosity that seems to drive him". He has two main interests, soccer and music. He admits to starting soccer later than most students and to not being a very good player. However, he loves the sport and maintains contact with his former team and considers them his best friends. Viktor is developing his singing and performance skills through a You Tube channel he started. He hopes to develop as a professional performer, but if that idea does not work out, his second career choice is to be a soccer referee. His third choice is business. During his exchange year, he hopes to learn more about American music, maybe sing in a gospel choir, and "advance at making decisions and dealing with problems". FLEX Scholarship Student

Omar from Egypt has a scientific mind and a thirst for knowledge! Computer programming, robotics and technological innovation are his main pursuits, followed by learning new languages and cultures. You can often find him watching documentaries, scientific or informational videos. Omar's future plans lie in engineering and computers. More than just a brain, Omar loves being active. He spends time riding his bike with friends, swimming, kickboxing, and practicing karate. Omar looks forward to trying new activities during his exchange year. Omar lives with his parents and younger sister in a busy city. The family enjoys visiting extended family, and traveling to historical sites and coastal areas for snorkeling and scuba diving. Omar would like his host family to know that he is kind, honest and polite, and will be respectful of your family's rules. He is looking forward to the adventure of his exchange year and thanks you for choosing him to be your host son! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Curious, adaptable, altruistic Faith from Nigeria has been named her school's "Best in Creative and Cultural Arts" for the past two years! On weekends, she can generally be found engaged in one of her favorite activities, making beads. She sings weekly in a choir as well, is a newscaster for her school's press club, and loves reading novels that increase her English vocabulary and teach moral lessons important to life. Faith would love to join music and art classes during her American exchange year. Faith's family enjoys watching movies together, especially Indian films, and Faith's school friends support one another by discussing academic challenges they face and working together to solve math problems. After finishing high school, Faith hopes to become a doctor and dreams of building a hospital one day where she can help those who can't afford to pay. "It will just be like a foundation," she adds. Faith admits to knowing little about American activities, but is eager for new experiences. She already knows she loves cookies and cakes, so count on sharing your favorite dessert recipes with Faith! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Described as motivated and open-minded, Malek is excited to bring his Jordanian culture to your home! Malek's favorite activities are reading and writing stories, playing video games, and swimming or playing soccer with friends. Drawing is an activity that he finds to be very relaxing. He also enjoys helping his mother prepare meals, especially desserts! Malek lives with his parents and two younger brothers. The family often goes on picnics and shopping trips together. At home, Malek takes responsibility for helping his brothers with their homework, and watching his youngest brother when his parents aren't home. His mother is a teacher and his father a doctor, which is also what Malek plans to become. Malek has a great sense of humor, can tell many jokes, and loves to laugh with friends. He would be an amazing addition to any family where he can learn about our culture and experience the life of an American teen! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

Welcome from Gaza, sociable Karim who values his family and friends deeply! Being the eldest sibling, he often helps his sister with her homework and cares for his little brother. Karim enjoys playing basketball, soccer, table tennis, drawing animation, and studying the French and English languages. He would love for the opportunity to take a Spanish class in the USA! Karim is passionate about learning different cultures, religions, and civilizations. With a love of nature and the environment, Karim plans to become an environmental activist in the future. He looks forward to his American exchange year to experience our diverse cultures while sharing his own. He would love to tell you all about the delicious cuisine and traditional dances from his hometown! Karim also hopes to gain more openness and understanding of the world, and to make new friends. Karim is ready for this new adventure! YES SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

"My plans - are not to set them myself. You can't plan your life. After all, the meaning of life lies in its unpredictability and readiness for any situation. In my life I want to do what I'm enjoying and to constantly evolve." says Olga from the Czech Republic. This young lady knows how to be flexible and make friends. Born in Ukraine, she has lived in Czech Republic for 3 years. Fluent in many languages, (Ukrainian and Russian, English, German, Spanish and Czech), she makes friends with LOTS of people! Olga is creative and curious, and open to the world. Hobbies include drawing, which relaxes her and allows her to focus; giving manicures; photography and blogging. She lives with her father and enjoys weekend drives into the country to enjoy nature. At home, respect and courtesy define relationships. Olga's goals while on exchange are to meet new people and gain new experiences because "Everything in life is temporary. I want to gain as many new experiences as I can." Can this open-minded teen enhance your family life next year?

Meet Julian from Germany! With a love for video games, Julian enjoys visiting flea markets to search for vintage games to add to his extensive collection. He also loves to watch movies, his all-time favorites being Back to the Future and the Star Wars series. An active young man as well, Julian has experience playing soccer and tennis on teams, often works out at the gym, and enjoys riding his penny board, which is similar to a skateboard. While in the USA, he would love for the opportunity to try baseball or basketball. With friends, Julian looks forward to time spent mountain biking through the forest, taking the bus into the city to discover new places, or simply hanging out at the local McDonald's. Julian loves to cook, and hopes to add some German flavor to his host family's kitchen! This funny, confident, and open-minded young man promises to try his best to be helpful in your home. Julian is so thankful and excited to become a part of your family!

Full of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, Robert from Germany is eager to learn all that he can through his exchange experience! With a keen interest in math, computer science and physics, Robert loves designing animated videos with his computer. He has even worked tirelessly to create a 3D video that illustrates a mathematical proof! Robert is also interested in politics, the economy and urban planning, and would surely add some interesting conversation around your dinner table. For his future, Robert dreams of becoming a university professor as he believes that teaching students is a wonderful job and a precious contribution to society. Bouldering, skiing, playing ping-pong, enjoying his mom's delicious cakes, and traveling with his family are other favorite activities for Robert. Family vacations to the USA have ignited Robert's fascination for the American culture and its kind citizens, inspiring him to study abroad. Robert is ready to share this incredible experience with your family!

Mikke from Finland is passionate about basketball! He loves the feeling of being part of a team, staying healthy, and reaching his goals on the basketball court. Mikke also enjoys following his favorite NBA and NFL teams. When he's not practicing his basketball skills, you might find Mikke biking to the lake for swimming with his friends, playing video games, or walking his three pet Border Collies. Mikke has a close relationship with his parents, always making time for weekend dinners, movie nights, and skiing during the winter holidays. His mom would like you to know that he is a considerate, goal-oriented, and well-balanced teenager. Coming from an international family, Mikke has experience living in the USA and Denmark, and is excited to return to our country for an exchange year full of growth. He is hoping to become more adaptable to new environments, understanding of foreign cultures, and is open to any fun and challenging opportunities that come his way. "Thank you for opening your home to me," says Mikke!

Sixteen year old Hanna describes herself as nice, funny, and social and always has a smile on her face. Her favorite subject in school is Swedish Law, and she would like to be a lawyer or politician. Hanna enjoys both playing and watching soccer on television and likes to listen to calming music. One of Hanna's favorite hobbies is hanging out with her two dogs and other pets. She also likes to cook for her family, read about psychology, and fish. She describes her family as a typical Swedish family, and they have meals, travel to the mountains, and hike together. When Hanna hangs out with her friends, they play games and go to the movies together. Some of her chores include cleaning, helping with meals and pets, and doing laundry. Hanna thanks you for opening your home to her.