Dear Host Family,

my name is Sara, I’m 16 years old, and I can’t wait to start this incredible experience with you!

I’m currently in my third year of high school (US 11th grade) with a focus on foreign languages. I’ve always loved learning new languages, which is one of the main reasons I decided to embark on this journey—to improve my English skills.

In my class, there are 22 students, but the ones I spend the most time with, even outside of school, are Francesca, Elisa, Luna, Alice, and Gabriele. After school, I attend a dance academy, where I train in ballet, contemporary, modern, and heels at a professional level, including competitions. I’ve been dancing for two years, but before that, I was a gymnast for seven years. I’ve always been very active, and I also follow a healthy diet. I eat lots of fruits, vegetables, meat, and of course, pasta—being Italian, I absolutely love spaghetti!

My mom is originally from Puglia, in southern Italy, and she’s an amazing Mediterranean cook. For special occasions, she makes her signature dishes: lasagna or meatballs in red sauce—they are so delicious!

A little bit about me: I’m a friendly and outgoing person, and I love spending time with my friends, sharing my passions, and learning from their experiences. I enjoy meeting new people, although it takes me a little time to fully trust them. I’m always happy to help those in need, but I also appreciate when my kindness is recognized and not taken for granted.

I’m very curious by nature and love studying and learning new things. I always give my best to achieve great results, and I feel proud when my efforts pay off. My favorite subjects are foreign languages (English, French, and Spanish), as they will allow me to explore the world, and philosophy, because I’ve always been fascinated by ancient ways of thinking.

Family means everything to me. I’m an only child, but a few years ago, we welcomed a new family member—a toy poodle named Red. My dad’s side of the family lives close to us, while my mom’s family is in Puglia. I love spending time with my uncles, aunts, grandma, and cousins. We visit them during the holidays, like Christmas and Easter, and I spend entire weeks there in the summer, enjoying the beautiful beaches and making the most of our time together.

Even though I’m still young, I’ve had the chance to travel quite a bit, and I love visiting new places, trying different foods, and learning about new cultures. When I was five, my parents and I visited my aunt in Liverpool, and in 2016, we travelled to Dubai to see her again after she moved there. In 2018, I spent my holidays in Greece, exploring historical sites and stunning beaches. Two years ago, I had an unforgettable experience spending two weeks in Madrid on a school trip. It was my first time traveling without my family, and it taught me independence and gave me insight into a different educational system.

From this exchange program, I hope to mature, become more independent, improve my English, make new friends, and experience a new culture. I’m especially excited to learn about the American school system and compare it to the Italian one. I want to make the most of this opportunity and share my experiences with others, hopefully inspiring them to take on similar adventures.

I can’t wait to meet you and start this journey together!

Best,

Sara