Hello to anyone reading this! My name is Amelia, and I’m a fifteen-year-old from Melbourne, Australia. I’m really excited about the opportunity to experience everyday life in America with your family. At home, I live with my mum, dad, younger sister, and our dog Tucker. My older brother recently moved to Sydney for work. We’re a busy family. My parents are managers, and between school, sport, and community activities, there’s always something going on. We spend holidays camping and boating, whether it’s in the outback or along the surf coast. Our house is also the unofficial hangout spot for friends and family. I love hosting people and coming up with fun ways to keep everyone entertained, even if it leaves me cleaning up what feels like a small natural disaster afterwards. Right now, we’re hosting an exchange student (who is basically my second sister), so I know what’s it like to observe someone in unknown territory and am 100% ready to face the challenge. It feels like the perfect way to learn about another country while also growing as a person, gaining independence, and collecting unforgettable memories. I chose America because I’d love to experience life as a regular American high schooler: Friday night football games, cheerleading, maybe even prom, plus holidays like Halloween and Thanksgiving. I’m also curious to see what school is like there, since it’s featured in so many of my favourite shows (though I don’t expect Zac Efron to break into song mid-basketball game). I’d also love to explore American shopping malls, your local culture, and the incredible range of natural environments that are so different from Australia. As a true Hamilton fan, I’m also excited about diving into American history. At school, I enjoy English and Humanities the most, and I’m very involved in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Some of my best experiences have come from school camps to remote parts of Australia and through our school Cadet program. I look forward to joining in on American school life—sports, clubs, projects—anything that helps me get involved. Sport is a big part of my life. I play basketball and Australian Rules Football, and I’ve also done cheerleading and dance. These have built my teamwork, resilience, and confidence. I love supporting my teammates, stepping up when needed, and making memories on and off the field. A typical weekday for me starts with getting myself ready for school. School runs from 8:30 to 3:30, and afterwards I usually head to the gym or sports training. Otherwise, I study, spend time with friends, or prepare for the next day. My hobbies include listening to music (right now I’m into Brent Faiyaz, Tyler the Creator, Daniel Caesar, SZA, and Phoebe Bridgers—but I’m always changing it up). I also secretly love the occasional musical soundtrack. I’m a big fan of movies and TV series—everything from comedies to dramas to old Favorites. And of course, I love hanging out with friends, whether it’s at parties, chilling after school, or just making fun memories in class. I’d describe myself as positive, funny, and open-minded. I try to make boring or tough situations a little better and love making people laugh, even if it means embarrassing myself. I’m also passionate and determined. Once I set my mind to something, I don’t give up easily. And yes, I’m always up for a good chat, whether it’s about serious stuff or just the latest episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty. These traits have helped me thrive on school camps, freezing tours, and even a few sporting mishaps. Thank you so much for reading about me and for considering hosting an exchange student!