Youth For Understanding USA

WINTER SHORT-TERM STEM PROGRAM: Welcome Jing from China, who will be chaperoning the short-term STEM program! Jing describes herself as a confident, outgoing, reliable, and generous person. Her hobbies include running, reading, cooking, spending time outdoors, volunteering, watching basketball, and listening to country music. With family, Jing looks forward to time spent having dinner together or taking trips to visit relatives. Jing currently works as an English teacher and is the head of her school's English department. She also has experience leading exchange programs in the past, including programs to South Korea and Singapore. During her time in the USA, Jing hopes to learn more about the American culture and people, while helping her students to improve their English skills!

WINTER SHORT-TERM STEM PROGRAM: Welcome friendly and fun, 14-year-old Haoran from China to the USA! Haoran's English name is David, and he is passionate about basketball. He enjoys playing this sport for his school's team, and loves watching NBA games, especially when Lebron James is playing. David hopes to learn how to dunk a basketball by the end of this year! Some of David's other hobbies include being around animals, reading, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with friends. At school, David's favorite class is PE, and he loves to participate in various school activities with his classmates. When he has finished school, David plans to become a teacher. During his time in the USA, David is looking forward to discovering the differences between the Chinese and American learning styles. David would like to thank you for making his exchange dreams come true by welcoming him into your home!

WINTER SHORT-TERM STEM PROGRAM: Siyang is a funny and friendly 15-year-old boy from China who loves to make people laugh! Siyang goes by his English name of Jackie, which was inspired by Jackie Chan. Jackie loves to play basketball with friends, and explains that this sport brings him great happiness. His other hobbies include watching movies, computer games, cooking, volunteering, and hiking. Jackie tries to be very helpful at home, doing chores such as cleaning, washing dishes, and taking care of younger children. At school, Jackie likes his Math and PE classes the best, and plans to become a mathematician or a math teacher in the future. Jackie values this wonderful opportunity to study in the USA as he believes this will help him to develop as a person and become more outgoing. "Thank you for your enthusiasm to let me join your family," says Jackie!

WINTER SHORT-TERM STEM PROGRAM: Say hello to 16-year-old Guoqiang from China, also known as James! Favorite hobbies for James include reading, computer games, volunteering, playing ping pong with friends, and hiking with his family. James also enjoys exploring China with his family, and is especially close with his dad. James' favorite subject at school is Math because he finds it to be easy and fun. He even dreams of becoming a Math teacher in the future! James describes himself as a funny and friendly person. He decided to pursue an exchange experience because he believes this opportunity will challenge him and help him to grow as a person. While in the USA, James would love to learn how to play American football with his host family, if possible. James would like to thank you for accepting him into your family!

Sixteen-year-old Celina from Germany describes herself as friendly, helpful, goal-oriented, and self confident! Celina plays soccer, but her passion is music and dance. She plays the guitar and sings, and dances hip-hop in a dancing club. Celina leans toward the pop/rock genre when listening to music. Her favorite subjects in school are Languages, Business, and Accounting. Currently, Celina is studying Business and Accounting at a vocational school, and plans to study Business Administration at a university in the future. After graduating, she dreams of pursuing a career in tourism management as an event planner. Some of her hobbies include reading fantasy and thriller novels, drawing, and meeting up with her friends. She explains that reading and drawing help her to relax. Celina describes her family as normal; they enjoy cooking, going to concerts, shopping, and traveling together. Some of her chores include cleaning, helping with meals, taking care of her cats, and doing laundry. Celina thanks you for considering hosting her as your exchange daughter, and is looking forward to becoming a part of your family! Arriving in August of 2019

Fifteen-year-old Min-Hyeok from South Korea describes himself as persistent and "patient like a salmon!" Min-Hyeok enjoys playing soccer and baseball, but his passion is music. He loves to play the piano and sing; he sings in the genres of NeoSoul and R&B, and he hopes to sing for you one day. His favorite subjects in school are history and the Korean Language because he thinks history is important for the future, and he is proud of their scientific language. Min-Hyeok plans to attend an art's college to study music in order to become a musician. He plays in a music crew at school, and is also involved in his church's youth group. Min-Hyeok enjoys going to the coffee house and drinking coffee with his friends. Some of his other hobbies include computer games, photography, watching horror and thriller movies, and watching soccer. With his family, Min-Hyeok enjoys going fishing and singing around the campfire. Some of his chores include cleaning, helping with pets, and laundry. Min-Hyeok is glad to have the chance to introduce himself to you, and will try his best to be a good son! Arriving in August of 2019

Meet 15-year-old Fiona from Germany! Fiona describes herself as an outgoing, open, and reliable girl who loves sports. Her main sport is soccer, but she also enjoys skiing, gymnastics, and running. Fiona likes to listen to Korean Pop music, and watch soccer, handball, and other sports on television. Her favorite subjects in school include Math, Business, Accounting, and PE because she loves to exercise. She plans to attend a university after high school and study psychology or forensic medicine. Fiona enjoys cooking and baking for her family, especially her grandmother who lives close by. Her family is very close and do many activities together. She sometimes babysits her cousins who live near her as well. Fiona describes her family as open-minded, and they love to travel together and spend time outdoors. In the winter they go skiing, and in the summer, they enjoy traveling to the mountains. Some of her chores at home include cleaning, helping with meals, and doing laundry. Fiona is looking forward to getting to know you, and can't wait to see you! Arriving in August of 2019

Fifteen-year-old Raminta from Germany is both a sporty and musical girl! She keeps active by playing tennis and taking hip-hop dance lessons, and shows off her creative side through playing the piano and singing in her school's choir. Raminta loves her hobbies because they enable her to relax after school and spend time with her friends. She hopes to continue playing tennis in the USA if possible, but is eager to try new activities such as horseback riding, swimming, or being a cheerleader to gain new experiences. At school, Raminta is fascinated by learning new languages. She was raised bilingually, speaking both German and Lithuanian, and currently studies English, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. With a love for languages and the desire to learn about different cultures, Raminta pictures herself working in the International arena in the future, and possibly pursuing another exchange experience. Raminta is very close with her family, which includes her parents and two sisters. Together, they enjoy swimming, cycling, and traveling. Raminta also values time spent with her big sister, working on homework together or playing tennis. Raminta was inspired to study abroad in the USA after a family trip to California where she experienced the friendly and warm nature of the American people. "I really look forward to coming to you because family is very important for me," says Raminta! Arriving in August of 2019

Welcome 16-year-old Milla from Finland to the USA! Milla plays volleyball for her school, and absolutely loves this sport and her awesome team. She knows that it may not be possible for her to continue playing volleyball in the USA, so she is willing and happy to explore new activities. Milla shows off her creative side by taking piano lessons for six years, and now using her talents by singing and playing the keyboard in a band. Other hobbies for Milla include reading, cooking and baking, and studying Geography on her own time. At school, Milla's favorite subjects are Math, Social Studies, Economics, and PE, and she plans to attend a School of Economics when she has graduated. Milla describes herself as a very family & friend-oriented person. With her family, Milla enjoys relaxing with a movie at home, going out for dinner, shopping, going for walks in nature, or visiting their grandma together. With her friends, Milla can be found going to the movies, having lunch together, or spending time at each other's houses while surfing through Netflix. During her exchange year, Milla is looking forward to creating lifelong friendships, studying new subjects at school, and having new experiences. She hopes that she will experience life as an ordinary, American teenager, and she is excited to become a member of her host family! Arriving in August of 2019

Cheerful and friendly, Demmy-Emilie is a 16-year-old student from Estonia who has a love for learning, adapts easily, and is a very positive person! Demmy-Emilie loves being active outdoors in the sun, playing tennis, and singing in her school's choir, but her passion is dancing. She began gymnastics and ballet lessons as a young child, and now dances with a disco dance team! During her exchange year, Demmy-Emilie would love to try cheerleading as this would be a great way to develop new skills and make new friends! In addition to her dancing and gymnastics skills, Demmy-Emilie explains that learning to play the piano and guitar at a young age has also helped her to grow as a person and find her path in life. Demmy-Emilie is close with her family, which includes her parents, big brother, and their pet Yorkshire Terrier. Together, they enjoy celebrating family holidays, traveling, playing board games, and watching movies. Demmy-Emilie is grateful for her family's travel adventures as this has given her the chance to experience new cultures and world views, and become more open-minded. Demmy-Emilie loves challenges and new opportunities, and can't wait to make lifelong friends while studying abroad in the USA! Arriving in August of 2019

Karl, a 15-year-old student from Germany, is described as an inquisitive, calm, and sociable boy! Karl has tried a wide variety of sports over the past few years, including field hockey, tennis, and soccer, but now devotes his time to practicing Thai Boxing throughout the week, and playing with his school's volleyball team. Family time is very important to Karl, so he makes sure to enjoy breakfast and dinner with his parents and younger brother as often as possible. They also cherish weekends spent together at their holiday home, surfing or boating. With his friends, Karl can often be found playing volleyball or swimming at the beach, hanging out at each other's homes, or spending time in the city center. A very good student, Karl enjoys learning about the subjects of Economics and the English language because he plans to study Business Administration in the future. Karl is delighted for the opportunity to spend an exchange year with an American host family. During his exchange experience, Karl hopes to develop his personality further in order to create the best version of himself, while also gaining new knowledge about everything new that he will explore. "I hope we will meet in August," says Karl! Arriving in August of 2019

Welcome 15-year-old Jeanne from France to the USA! Jeanne loves being active through sports and outdoor activities. Her favorite hobbies are playing tennis and drawing, but she is also fond of reading, playing video games, listening to music, and watching movies during her spare time. A very good student, Jeanne enjoys the Arts and Sciences classes most. She loves creating new things through painting, drawing, and photography, but plans to further her scientific studies at university in the future. Jeanne's friends would describe her as a sporty, creative, and dynamic person. With friends, Jeanne can be found spending time at the lake or catching a movie at the local theater. Jeanne and her family enjoy traveling during the holidays to explore new areas and meet new people. She and her father often go for weekend hikes in the mountains as well. Jeanne believes that this exchange experience will enrich her life, personally and culturally. She is excited to discover a new culture and lifestyle while improving her English language skills. "I look forward to meeting you and to learning more about your family," says Jeanne! Arriving in August of 2019

Say hello to Ruwen, a friendly, patient, and open-minded 16-year-old boy from Germany! A very good student, Ruwen is fascinated by the subjects of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. When he has finished school, Ruwen plans to study Natural Science, and currently is involved in an after-school program working as a Chemical Technical Assistant. Ruwen looks forward to the weekends where he has time for his hobbies and homework. Swimming, tennis, biking, skateboarding, and reading are a few of Ruwen's favorite activities, but he is open and excited to try anything new during his exchange year. Ruwen also enjoys playing basketball and soccer with his friends, and volunteering his time with a religious group in his community. With his family, Ruwen loves taking short trips to the North Sea to fly kites, and traveling to Italy during their summer holidays. Ruwen describes his family life as close, open, and supportive. He knows that he can come to his parents or sisters with anything, and that they will not pass judgement. Ruwen is eager to learn about the American culture from the perspective of a native, and not as a tourist during his exchange experience. He can't wait to live the American lifestyle, improve his English skills, and try new American sports and activities in the USA! Arriving in August of 2019.

Meet 15-year-old Emilie from Germany! She describes herself as an animal-loving, friendly, well-behaved, and helpful person who is always ready to try new things. Emilie's main hobbies are drawing and dancing. She enjoys the freedom and challenge that drawing brings, and loves expressing herself through music and dance. During her free time, Emilie can often be found with her friends, swimming, having sleepovers, and simply discussing anything near to their hearts. Emilie is also close with her family, and often babysits her little brother. She is currently pursuing a childcare certification in Germany so that she can learn how to professionally lead children and know how to cope with challenging situations. Emilie helps out with household chores at home such as ironing and cleaning her room, and promises to respect her host family's chores as well. During her exchange year, Emilie hopes to influence her personality by learning new perspectives from a different culture. "I would be so grateful if you would give me the chance to become a member of your family and I'm sure we will have a great time together," says Emilie! Arriving in August of 2019.

Anouk is looking forward to experiencing "school spirit" at an American school during her year abroad in the USA! She is a 15-year-old student from Germany who describes herself as "mostly happy, creative, and really tidy." She would be such a fun addition to your family! Anouk is sporty and active, as well as musical and artistic. To keep active, Anouk plays soccer, swims, and skates, and she is very open to trying new activities while she is in the USA. She also enjoys singing, playing the violin, and being creative. While on program, she would like to continue playing violin, singing in a choir, and playing soccer, if possible. Anouk is close with her family, and enjoys traveling with them during the holidays. Together, they enjoy camping, reading, and watching movies together. With friends, Anouk likes to talk, go skating, get pizza or ice cream, and do homework together. Anouk can't wait for this opportunity to come to America and get to know our culture! Arriving in August of 2019

Open-minded, generous, and courageous best describes 15-year-old Anna-Lara from Germany! Anna-Lara has been a member of a local Scouts group for the past 6 years. She considers Scouting to be an important part of her life because she loves being a part of a big community while learning survival skills during fun camping trips. Anna-Lara also enjoys writing and reading stories during her free time. She loves that her imagination can enable her to dive into worlds that only exist in fantasy, and is a big fan of the Harry Potter and Marvel series. Anna-Lara is honored and excited to begin her exchange adventure in the USA. She hopes that her exchange experience influences her life in many positive ways, such as learning to face new challenges, growing from different experiences or simply putting a smile on someone's face! "I hope we have an unforgettable, funny and beautiful time together," says Anna-Lara! Arriving in August of 2019.

Fifteen-year-old Lara from Germany has dreamed of living in the USA since she was a young girl! She is fascinated by the American culture, and is excited to experience all that she can during her year abroad in the USA. Lara describes herself as "helpful and organized." She would be a great addition to your family! Lara is very open to trying new activities and experiences while she is in the USA, especially trying new sports. Lara's hobbies include dancing, reading, horseback riding, and she loves to take pictures to capture her memories. Lara also enjoys volunteering her time as a Student Representative for her school, serving on her city's Youth Council, and organizing a children's club at her church. At school, Lara's favorite subjects are History, Geography, and Chemistry, and she is considering a career in teaching or psychology. Lara is close with her family, and she enjoys eating lunch with her mother. With friends, Lara likes to shop, go to the movies and festivals, listen to music, take pictures, or just sit and talk. Lara can't wait for this opportunity to come to America and get to know our culture! Arriving in August of 2019

Meet 17-year-old Fabrizio from Uruguay, who is described as "a nice guy, friendly, and smart" by his friends. He would be such a fun addition to your family! Fabrizio is a sporty and active boy. To keep active, he plays basketball, swims, and plays volleyball, and he is very open to trying new sports while he is in the USA. Fabrizio also enjoys spending time with friends, watching the news and movies, and learning about economy, politics, and history. His favorite subjects in school are economy and social sciences, which he hopes to utilize in his future career. Fabrizio is close with his family, and shares a special relationship with his older brother. Together, his family enjoys sharing meals and traveling the world together. During his exchange year, Fabrizio hopes to have a great experience while learning about the American culture, and developing life-long friendships with his host family and friends! Arriving in January of 2019.

Carlo, a 15-year-old student from Germany, describes himself as a cheerful boy who always makes the best of any situation! Sporty Carlo enjoys playing soccer on a team, and basketball with his friends for fun. He would love the opportunity to play on a basketball team in the USA, but is open to any new activities. Carlo recently began playing the piano and producing his own music. He explains that music is a huge inspiration and motivator for him, and he would love to inspire others with his creations. Carlo has a close relationship with his family, especially his younger brother who he always tries to offer advice and help with homework. Together, his family enjoys going out for meals, playing boardgames, and spending the holidays together. Carlo has a passion for foreign languages, especially English, and is also studying Latin and Ancient Greek in addition to his native German. Reading books in the English language was actually what sparked Carlo's interest in the American culture! When he has finished school, Carlo is considering studying biology or music, and dreams of traveling the world as a DJ. During his exchange year, Carlo is looking forward to experiencing American traditions like Halloween and Thanksgiving first-hand, while developing his personality and language skills. Carlo thanks you for your interest in becoming a host family! Arriving in August of 2019.

Meet thoughtful, caring, and helpful Ella from Germany! This 15-year-old girl loves any activity that shows off her creativity, especially photography. She loves the technical skills required for this craft but also enjoys the artistic side, which allows her to find beautiful backgrounds, outfits, and poses. She can also be found dancing, singing in a choir, painting, and drawing. Ella enjoys going for a weekly jog in the park with her best friend, and also loves to go shopping, bake or have sleepovers with her group of friends. Ella likes to watch American football games and English movies & TV shows at home, so she is eager to test out her language skills in the USA! When she has finished school, Ella dreams of studying either law or business informatics, and hopes to work for an international company someday. This is why perfecting the English language is one of her goals during her exchange year! She also hopes to become more confident, and gain a greater understanding for those from different cultures. Ella would like to thank you for giving her the opportunity to spend a year abroad! Arriving in August of 2019