Dear Host Family,

First of all, thank you so much for considering hosting me! The idea that a family across the ocean is willing to open their home to a complete stranger (me!) is very heartwarming, if you ask me.

My name is Carlos, I’m 17 years old, and I come from a small village in Spain. It’s close to Madrid, but don’t worry, we still have internet and pizza delivery hahahahah! I live with my parents, my sister, and two dogs who think they run the house (and honestly, they kind of do).

My dad is an aeronautical engineer, which sounds very serious, but he’s actually the funniest person I know… sometimes. He also spent his junior year in the U.S., so I guess I’m following in his footsteps (just with better Wi-Fi and hopefully better fashion choices). My mom runs a small business in circular economy (basically, she’s trying to save the planet while also being the queen of multitasking) and is the kind of person everybody loves. My sister, Claudia, is 21 and studying 3D animation. She spends most of her time creating things and drawing in her room.

Now, the dogs: Chummy is a Great Pyrenees and looks like a bear (a friendly one, I promise), and Tati is a mix breed between a Podenco and a Labrador, which means he runs like a rocket and cuddles like a champion.

This will be my first time in the United States, and I’m incredibly excited about it! It’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time. I want to experience life in an American high school, meet new people, try new things and grow as a person.

It won’t be my first time abroad, though. I was lucky to spend half a year in Ireland, which was a fantastic experience. It not only helped me improve my English but also taught me a lot about living in a different culture (and surviving the Irish weather). I’m sure my time in the U.S. will be just as unforgettable.

As for me, I love skiing, playing padel (kind of like tennis, but cooler in my opinion), and paddle surfing when I can catch a wave. I’m also into chess—although I still lose to my dad sometimes—and I’ve been trying to teach myself guitar. Let’s just say I’m somewhere between Song 2 and please stop playing that again. I love rock music and playing collectively. I also love playing video games and board games.

I’m really looking forward to being part of your family, learning your traditions, and sharing mine. I promise to be respectful, helpful, and always try your cooking (unless it has broccoli… then we’ll have to negotiate! :-).

Thanks again for this opportunity—I can’t wait to begin this adventure! I am really really looking forward to meeting you. Until then, receive my warmest regards