Dear Host Family,

My name is Clementine, I am 16 years old, and I live in Germany. I would describe myself as a friendly, curious, and passionate person who enjoys meeting new people and values kindness, teamwork, and learning. One of my favorite things is exploring different cultures and getting to know new people and their lifestyles. My friends often describe me as supportive, genuine, happy, and helpful. I try to stay positive in most situations and embrace the bright side of people and experiences. This optimism and my determination are definitely two of my strengths. However, as a bit of a perfectionist, I can sometimes find myself worrying too much about my work and questioning my decisions, but I’m working on balancing this by practicing mindfulness and creating a strong, resilient mindset.

Let me introduce you to my family, who play a big role in shaping who I am today. I live with my two loving and supportive parents, who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams while teaching me the value of kindness, hard work, and staying true to myself. Along with my parents, I have three siblings—two brothers and a sister—who, despite being a little annoying at times, fill our lively household with laughter, playful teasing, and the occasional debate over who’s the winner when we play board games together or who gets the last Christmas cookie. Baking during the holidays, enjoying Sunday brunches, or travelling the world together are some of our family traditions, which bring us closer while at times challenge our cohesion. Growing up in such a warm and dynamic family has taught me how to share, compromise, and cherish the bonds that keep us connected, and I wouldn’t trade these experiences or my family for anything.

Outside my family, I enjoy hobbies like playing the piano and sketching, which let me express myself creatively and unwind. I also participate in a theater group, where I collaborate with others to bring stories to life and challenge myself creatively and socially. I’m passionate about baking and cooking with my friends or family, experimenting with recipes from German classics like pretzels and schnitzel to global dishes like Italian pasta, Japanese sushi, and Indian curries, often sharing my creations with loved ones. Exploring different cultures through traveling, reading, politics, fashion, or trying new cuisines is something I deeply enjoy. Staying active with activities like hiking, yoga, and pilates, or trying out different sports like volleyball, badminton, or swimming, helps me stay overall balanced and strong.

I’m always excited to acquire new skills and explore hobbies of all kinds, which is why I’m thrilled about the opportunity to experience an exchange year in America. Although I’ve visited the US several times before, I look forward to truly getting to know its people and deeply exploring its culture and nature. I hope to gain a better understanding of American traditions, the language, and, of course, various aspects of everyday life while sharing my own German experiences and perspectives. Living in a new environment will teach me resilience, adaptability, and an even greater appreciation for diversity. Most importantly, I’m eager to build meaningful relationships with you, my host family, and embrace the values that connect us.

Thank you for considering me as part of your family. I can’t wait to meet you and start this exciting adventure together.

Warm regards, Clementine