Dear American Family, My name is Marko, and I am a 17-year-old student from Macedonia. I live with my parents, my younger brother (8), and my sister (7). We are a close-knit family, and we love spending time together by watching movies, visiting different places in Macedonia and abroad, and playing family games whenever we can. These moments are special to me, especially since my parents are oftenbusy with their jobs, so we make sure to spend quality time together whenever possible. At home, I try to help as much as I can by tidying up, setting the table for meals, and sometimes helping my siblings with their homework. I also help out at my grandmother's house. My grandmother (79) lives alone, and I'm usually the one assisting her with everyday tasks, big or small. I believe sharing responsibilities is important to support my parents, who work hard to take care of three kids and my father's mom. I have many interests, but my biggest passion is volleyball. I play regularly and compete with my team, UGD. For most of my life, age 6-15, I played soccer professionally in a youth academy, in the city club. My favorite soccer team is FC Barcelona. I really enjoy swimming, but unfortunately, I can only practice it during the summer because there isn't an indoor pool in my city In addition to sports, I enjoy reading books occasionally-something I did much more as a kid. I also love spending time outdoors, trying new activities, and exploring new places. When I have extra free time, I like watching series on Netflix. My friends and I enjoy playing sports, going out, listening to music, and having fun conversations. They are an important part of my life. I am lucky to have lots of friends-my best friends, friends from school, friends from sports, and even friends I've met while on vacations. I live in a relatively small but vibrant city with about 40,000 inhabitants. It has a rich cultural history and friendly people, making it a warm and welcoming place to call home. My city is also home to a state university, so we often see foreign students around, which makes the community even more dynamic. As for my future plans, I'm still figuring out my path, but I'm passionate about personal growth and education. I hope to find a career where I can make a positive impact on others while continuing to challenge myself and learn new things. Through this exchange experience, I want to immerse myself in American culture, build lifelong friendships, and develop a greater sense of independence. I'm excited to share my own culture with you and learn about your way of life. I believe this opportunity will not only help me grow as a person but also create meaningful connections that will benefit all of us. Thank you so much for opening your home and heart to me. I am truly excited to become a part of your family and look forward to creating many wonderful memories together. Warm regards, Marko