Youth For Understanding USA

Asya from Germany would love to fill your home with music! She has been singing and playing the piano since she was a little girl, and has recently taken up vocal lessons to hone in on her craft. Asya would love to utilize her passion for performing by joining her American high school's theatre productions, if possible. With a big heart for helping others, Asya volunteers her time tutoring younger students at school, plays games with senior citizens at a local nursing home to brighten their day, and dreams of becoming a pediatrician. Dancing, drawing, writing in her bullet journal, playing basketball with her big brothers, and going to the gym with friends are other favorite ways for Asya to spend her free time. Asya is a vegetarian, who is willing to eat fish with her host family, and loves testing out creative recipes in the kitchen for her family. While in the USA, Asya is eager to attend a real American high school and experience the infamous school spirit within its walls. Asya can't wait to become the newest member of your family!

Sara from Finland is looking to score an ace by joining your family! With a passion for volleyball, Sara has grown in confidence through playing this sport and feels joy when practicing with her teammates. She would love to continue playing volleyball at her American high school or perhaps, try a new sport like softball. Sara showcases her musical side through playing the piano and the kantele, Finland's national instrument. Time with friends is filled with taking photos in nature, swimming, or going to a cafe to enjoy a slice of cake and a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Sara has a close relationship with her family as well, often baking brownies with her big sister, playing tennis or Finnish baseball in the summer, and skiing and ice skating in the winter months. Sara is described as a determined, organized, and positive girl who is always up for an adventure. Through this exchange experience, she is excited to build new friendships and gain a different perspective on life. "I am looking forward to meeting you and creating new memories with you," says Sara!

Basketball is Most from Thailand's passion! He loves practicing this sport with his teammates, and dreams of becoming a professional basketball player or sports trainer one day. Most would love for the opportunity to watch a live NBA or NCAA game with his host family while in the USA! Practicing his drum skills, hanging out with his dad and brothers in their backyard, being active through outdoor sports with friends, and playing the Chinese board game "Go" are other favorite activities for Most. He also has a big heart for animals and would be happy if his host family had pets. No stranger to cultural exchange, Most has experience being a host brother to students from Asia and South America, and has participated in a short-term exchange program to Brazil. This energetic and fun young man is eager to learn the American way of thinking while blending his Thai culture to better understand the other side of the world. Most would like to say, "Thank you very much for welcoming me to your lovely family to begin a long-lasting relationship!"

Ruby from Indonesia is ready to discover a new way of life so she can live this exchange experience to the fullest! With a love for traveling, Ruby feels alive and refreshed when exploring new cities, trying different foods, and taking photos of beautiful sites. Ruby is also a member of her school's theatre club, where she enjoys acting and learning about the performing arts world with her friends. Playing the violin, swimming, crafting, and cooking with her mom are other favorite ways for Ruby to spend her spare time. Ruby rides her bike to school each day, where she has a keen interest in economics and dreams of expressing her creativity in the workplace as an entrepreneur one day. This cheerful, motivated, and respectful girl decided to become an exchange student because she would like to be a part of a global cultural community while making friends from around the world. Ruby thanks you for hosting, and promises to be a helpful member of your family!

Clever, creative, and compassionate are three words to describe Jemy from Thailand! This well-rounded young lady loves to cook, often testing out new recipes and cooking delicious dinners for her family. An active girl, Jemy enjoys playing volleyball, badminton, and swimming with her friends. She also expresses her creativity through K-Pop dancing, practicing the dulcimer, and playing the violin. At school, Jemy is a great leader and is well-liked by her classmates for her kind and sincere nature. She is an active member of her school's drama club and loves to help others through volunteer projects as well. With a keen interest in chemistry and math, Jemy plans for a future career as a doctor to spread her love for putting others' needs before her own. During her exchange year, Jemy is excited to learn about her host family's traditions, especially for holidays like Christmas. She hopes to be inspired by the American culture, and would love to try rollerskating for the first time. Jemy looks forward to exchanging cultures with you!

Say hello to Ice from Thailand! Ice is known among her friends for her charming, dynamic, and trustworthy personality. This year, Ice has worked tirelessly to become her school's drum major, and would love to show you pictures from their latest performance! She is also a member of her school's dance club, enjoys playing badminton, and loves cats and rabbits. During quieter moments, Ice enjoys jamming to K-Pop music, relaxing with a good movie, or taking photos. Ice comes from a small, but warm and loving family. Together, they enjoy taking weekend trips as a family, shopping in the city, and enjoying her dad's delicious cooking. Ice's teachers describe her as a fast-learner with an open-mind, who is always ready to take on new challenges and set goals for herself. For her future career, Ice can imagine herself working as a flight attendant, which is why improving her English skills in the USA will be an important step towards this goal. Ice thanks you for sharing your fascinating culture with her!

An animal-lover, Pat comes to us from Thailand where he lives with his family, eight cats, 2 dogs, 5 goldfish, and 3 geese! He feels happiness through spending time with his pets, and even takes time to care for stray cats and dogs. Pat enjoys practicing the art of origami, plays the Thai xylophone, and likes to go swimming with his friends. Despite living in a bustling city, Pat prefers to spend his time enjoying the peacefulness of nature, especially at a picturesque park. Pat also feels inspired through visiting museums and art exhibitions, and loves to discover new restaurants. Pat wants you to know that he loves cold weather, and would be so excited to try snowboarding while in the USA. Described as driven, generous, and responsible, Pat is eager to spread his wings and become more independent, master the English language, and see how Americans truly live through this exchange experience. He is ready to break up his daily routine and bring his Thai culture a little closer to your family and community. Pat knows you will do great things together!

"Hi, I'm Palmy and I'm your future daughter from Thailand!" Palmy has a passion for drawing and recently, has become fascinated with the digital arts. She loves seeing her imagination come to life through drawing cartoons of people and animals with her computer. Palmy enjoys reading as well, and can often finish an interesting book in less than 24 hours! A dedicated pianist since the age of four, Palmy says this instrument warmed her heart the first time she heard its beautiful sound. Palmy's family and friends describe her as an enthusiastic and funny girl with a great zest for life. Palmy has big goals to learn as many new languages as possible, to visit every country in the world, and is considering a career in the hospitality & tourism field. While in the USA, Palmy would love to go on a picnic, visit an American library, and join in with her host family's favorite hobbies. Palmy thanks you for sharing your piece of America with her!

Mailin from Germany would love to share her beautiful music with you! A diverse instrumentalist, Mailin plays the guitar, takes piano lessons, and plays the transverse flute in her school's big band. She also expresses her creativity through hip-hop and ballroom dancing. With a fascination for learning new languages and different cultures, Mailin is currently studying English, Latin, and Spanish at school. She finds time to volunteer as a tutor for younger students, and babysits children from her neighborhood as well. Mailin grew up in a rural town with her parents and younger siblings. Together, they enjoy taking their dog for a walk in the forest, playing board games, riding bikes, and visiting camp sites with their caravan in the summer. This ambitious, curious, and kind young lady is eager to experience the American way of life through studying in the USA. Mailin thanks you for sharing your culture with her and for welcoming her into your family!

Do you have a piano at home? Victor from Germany would love to play you a tune! Passionate about singing and playing the piano, Victor feels joy while performing for others. He and his sister enjoy sharing their talents together for birthday celebrations and charity events at their local hospital as well. Victor is also a dedicated tennis player, a member of a go-kart racing team, and is involved in Boy Scouts. He loves to be active with his family and friends outdoors, often riding bikes, hiking in the Alps, or swimming in one of Germany's many lakes. Victor looks forward to visiting his big sister at university, where they explore her city, bake cookies, and go indoor rock climbing. Inspired by his sister's exchange year, this creative, kind, and social young man hopes that his experience will help him to better understand different cultures. Victor would love to call you his American host family and share his beautiful music with you!

Elora from Germany loves to express herself through creating beautiful music! Singing and playing the piano are her musical passions, and her favorite piece to perform is "Nuvole Bianche." Elora has an interest in fashion as well, keeps active through working out at the gym, and enjoys taking her two pet dogs for walks. At school, Elora is fascinated by her philosophy class, where they discuss life's deepest questions. In fact, she is considering studying philosophy or psychology at university in the future. She is also a member of her school's drama club, and looks forward to taking the stage for their annual performances. Ice skating, playing board games, and relaxing by a river to enjoy the sunshine are favorite ways for Elora to spend time with her family and friends. Elora is described as a kind, funny, and polite young lady who is always open to new experiences. She can't wait for the adventure of traveling to the USA for the first time to make new memories and build lifelong friendships! Will you welcome Elora into your family and fill your home with music?

Totally obsessed with animals, Lorena from Germany would love to help you care for your family's pets! She has a love for all types of animals, especially her pet cat, and enjoys horseback riding during her spare time. Other favorite activities for Lorena include playing volleyball and table tennis with friends, baking delicious German desserts, taking photos to capture special memories, and spending time with her little sister. Lorena has a passion for reading and writing as well, with big dreams of publishing her own book one day! She would love for the opportunity to take a Creative Writing class at her American high school, if possible. A hardworking student, Lorena's favorite subjects are Accounting, English, and Biology. In the future, she plans to attend university to become a teacher or a hotel manager. Lorena is described by family and friends as helpful, respectful, responsible, and warm-hearted. While in the USA, she is looking forward to learning about the American culture, meeting new people, and developing her personality. Most of all, she is excited to become a part of your family during this important experience!

Anna from Germany is ready to add some extra color to your life! Described as warm-hearted, positive and selfless, Anna values time spent with her family, and enjoys cultivating new friendships. She is a dedicated member of her school's swim team, enjoys horseback riding with her little sister, and often rides bikes with her family to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Anna and her family also love testing out new recipes in the kitchen together, often whipping up some Asian cuisine, burgers or traditional German food. A motivated and ambitious student, Anna loves learning new languages at school, serves as Class Speaker, and is a part of a student mediator team. When she's not busy studying to achieve excellent grades, Anna enjoys reading, being around animals, and baking with friends. Anna's family is currently hosting a student from Thailand, so she understands both sides of the exchange experience. While in the USA, Anna wants to see the real America, learn to see the world from a different angle, and she can't wait to celebrate her first Thanksgiving. Anna is so excited to meet you!

Meet Josie, a student from Germany with an endless love for nature and outdoor activities! Josie loves to be on the water, whether she's swimming, paddle boarding or boating. She especially looks forward to summers spent at her family's cottage by the sea, where they have a family tradition of building campfires and having evening barbecues. Josie is also passionate about dancing, a sport that she practices throughout the week with friends. Reading, creating art through photography, playing volleyball with friends, being around animals, and having picnics on the beach are other favorite activities for Josie. This adventurous and open-minded young lady chose the USA for her exchange destination for our country's unlimited possibilities and value of freedom. She is excited to make new friends for life, get to know the American cuisine, and to gain a second family on the other side of the globe. Josie thanks you for opening your home to an exchange student, which will provide precious memories and an unforgettable life experience!

Hyojeong from South Korea is warm-hearted, full of laughter, and ready to join your family! She is passionate about knitting, especially crafting cute hats and mufflers for babies. In fact, Hyojeong loves children and would be happy to have younger host siblings! Hyojeong also enjoys playing the piano, practicing taekwondo, and is a member of a volunteer club that helps individuals with mental health issues. She would love to find a new cause to volunteer for while in the USA as well. Singing karaoke, going out for Shabu-shabu with her family, and chatting about her favorite K-Pop artists with friends are other favorite activities for Hyojeong. With a fascination for Korean history, Hyojeong enjoys learning about her ancestors and cultural roots through this subject. In the future, she dreams of becoming a diplomat and being fluent in multiple languages. During her time with your family, Hyojeong promises to be a good exchange daughter by being helpful in your home. She is looking forward to making wonderful memories with you!

Caring, confident, and funny best describes Jasmin from Germany! Jasmin has a big heart for helping others and enjoys volunteering with the first-aid club at her school, helping with events for new students, and working as a sports instructor for younger children. She also serves as a Student Representative to offer a voice for her classmates and plan social gatherings. An active young lady, Jasmin loves playing rugby, skiing, and scuba diving. Her family leads an active lifestyle as well, often hiking, rock climbing, and swimming together. They also enjoy taking weekend trips, playing board games, and working on home renovations as a family. Exploring new worlds through reading, drawing, hanging out with her big sister, and cooking delicious meals for her family are other favorite ways for Jasmin to spend spare time. Jasmin would love to become a member of your family, and thanks you for your kindness in hosting an exchange student. She sends her best wishes to your family from Germany!

With a love for outdoor activities, Lena from Germany finds happiness through playing sports and enjoying the beautiful nature that surrounds her! Hiking in the mountains, swimming, and cross-country skiing are a few of Lena's favorite ways to keep moving outside with her family. Lena also enjoys practicing with her tennis team, inline skating, playing the piano, taking walks in the park, and cooking with her family. An adventurous young lady, Lena loves to travel, often capturing memories with her camera. At school, Lena has a fascination for languages and is a member of the Chemistry Club. Currently, she is studying English, Latin, and Ancient Greek, which allows her to understand the origin of modern languages. Described as an ambitious young lady with a heart for helping others, Lena is looking forward to experiencing the diverse and rich culture of the USA. She hopes to gain in confidence and independence, while learning to better appreciate her own heritage. Lena appreciates your willingness to learn from each other through exchanging cultures!

Welcome Sunjin from South Korea! With a bright and kind personality, Sunjin enjoys volunteering to help others whenever possible. He also loves animals, especially cats and dogs, and can often be found watching YouTube videos of cute pets. Cooking is another favorite hobby for Sunjin, a skill he practices with his younger sister. Sunjin would be happy to share his traditional Korean recipes with you! In fact, he is considering a future career as a chef. Playing badminton, swimming, riding his bike, and following his favorite soccer team - the Tottenham Hotspurs, are other treasured interests for Sunjin. Time spent with family and friends normally entails singing karaoke, eating delicious foods, going for walks, or traveling. Through this exchange experience, Sunjin would like to broaden his horizons and discover his passion in life. He is also looking forward to trying any new extracurricular activities that his American high school may offer. Sunjin can't wait to meet his host family, and promises to be a good exchange son and brother!

Say hallo to Carolin from Germany! Carolin is a family-oriented young lady who looks forward to quality time spent with her parents and siblings. She has also had the privilege of growing up next door to her cousins, who have all studied abroad in the USA and inspired her to pursue her own exchange experience. Family time is normally spent playing evening card games, swimming in their pool, having a bonfire, or backyard barbecues. Carolin loves reading, listening to music, and being around animals, especially her pet cat and Australian Shepherd dog. She also has experience playing soccer, but is looking forward to a new hobby in the USA, perhaps tennis. At school, Carolin enjoys discovering new cultures and the past of different nations through her History class. She also volunteers her time as a Student Paramedic to keep her school's community safe. This confident, sociable, and tolerant girl is excited to learn more about American history during her exchange year, while broadening her horizons and perfecting her English skills. She thanks you for welcoming her into your family as your German daughter!

Lights, camera, action - Jonna from Finland dreams of becoming an actress or a model! She would love to settle down in the USA for her future career, and knows that mastering the English language during her exchange year will be an important step towards this goal. Jonna is inspired by her wonderful family and friends. A typical teen, she enjoys having picnics, chatting in coffee shops, riding mopeds, shopping, and taking funny selfies with her friends. Walking in the forest with her mom, visiting her little cousins, and swimming and boating in the summer are favorite activities for Jonna and her family. Jonna hopes to find her passion while in the USA, and would love to join her high school's cheerleading squad. If she had to describe herself in five words, Jonna would say she is funny, spontaneous, nice, cool, and outgoing. She also loves to make jokes to make her loved ones smile. Through this exchange experience, Jonna is keen on making new friends and memories while learning something new about herself. She thanks you for welcoming her into your family!