Dear host family, My name is Dominique and I am very excited to introduce myself to you. I think you would laugh a lot with me, because I usually start laughing at the simplest things, even when I just begin to talk. I used to practice gymnastics, but my body was not very appreciated there and I often received unpleasant comments (I am 1.70 m tall, which is considered quite tall in Chile). Because of that, I felt volleyball would be a better fit for me. In volleyball I enjoy myself much more, I made many new friends and I was able to open up my social circle. I study at an Italian school, so I could share with you several languages. For example, Chilean Spanish, which is actually quite different from the Spanish spoken in other countries, and also some Italian —although sometimes I feel a little shy when speaking it, I still enjoy practicing. With me, you will be able to experience things you might have never seen before. At school, I have lived many unique experiences. In seventh grade, things started to change because we entered adolescence and the subjects became more challenging, so we had to take our studies more seriously. Then, in eighth grade, I went through one of my most difficult years: we had to take the *paritá*, an important exam that, if you fail, you must repeat the school year. It was a big challenge for me, because I had to become more responsible, manage my time better and balance my regular studies with the preparation for the exam. Even though it was difficult, it helped me grow, become more independent and develop many new skills. Why would I like to go on exchange? Because I honestly think I am very friendly and I make friends very quickly. I love learning about new cultures, hearing different languages and meeting people with different backgrounds from mine. I am also very excited to try new experiences: to share, discover traditions, and yes, also to taste food and restaurants that we don’t have in Chile. I am really looking forward to this opportunity and I hope to bring to your family my happiness, my curiosity and my eagerness to learn.