Dear Host Family, I am 16 years old and I live in a small town in Italy. I am very happy to introduce myself and to write you this letter, because it represents the first step toward an experience I have dreamed of for a long time: spending a year abroad and becoming part of a new family. For me, this is not only an opportunity to study in another country, but also to grow as a person, learn about a new culture and share my traditions with you. In my family in Italy, I live with my parents, my two older sisters, my dog, and my cat. We are a very close family, and we like spending time together whenever we can. Even though my sisters are older then me and sometimes busy, we always find time to talk and laugh. My parents are kind and they always encourage me to follow my dreams. I think family is one of the most important things in life. I consider myself a cheerful, determined, reliable, and respectful person. I like making new friends and I adapt easily to new situations. In my free time, I love traveling, discovering new places, and meeting different people. I also enjoy spending time with my friends and family, going shopping, cooking, or just relaxing while listening to music or watching TV. Another great passion of mine is horse riding: even if I haven’t practiced it for a while, I would really love to start again in the future. I love animals and would be happy to help take care of them if you have any. My typical day is quite simple but organized. I wake up every morning at 6:00 am, have breakfast, get ready, and then take the train at 7:00 am to go to school. Classes start at 8:00 am and finish at 1:00 pm. After school, I go back home around 2:00 pm, have lunch by myself, and then relax a little. In the afternoon, I do my homework and study, then I take my dog for a walk and sometimes go running with my mom or meet my friends to talk and relax. In the evening, I have dinner with my family and I like spending time with them and with my pets before going to bed. I like going to school, especially because I can be with my friends and share fun moments with them. I enjoy learning new things and I always try my best to achieve good results and improve myself, my favourite subject is English. I decided to join this exchange program because I want to improve my English, learn about new cultures and lifestyles, and become more independent. I think living for a year in the United States will help me grow a lot, both personally and culturally. I want to challenge myself, learn to adapt to new situations, and discover something new about myself. With my future host family, I hope to build a loyal and strong relationship, based on trust, respect, and affection. I would love to spend time together, share daily life moments, and learn from our differences. I also hope to bring something positive to your family and to share a bit of my Italian culture with you. Thank you very much for the opportunity you are giving me and for welcoming me into your home. I can’t wait to meet you and start this new adventure together! With love C.