Dear Host Family, First of all, I want to thank you for opening your home to me. It truly means a lot that you are willing to welcome me into your family and share your life with me. The idea of spending a year in a completely new environment, with new people and new experiences, is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. But most of all, I can’t wait to meet you and become part of your family. Let me introduce myself. My name is Lotte, but I often go by Lot. In other countries where my name is hard to pronounce, I most of the time go by Charlotte. You can call me whatever feels natural. I would describe myself as open-minded, ambitious, and curious. I love getting to know new people, learning about different cultures, and experiencing things that are outside of my comfort zone. One of the biggest reasons I want to do an exchange year is because I feel like the Netherlands doesn’t offer me all the possibilities I need to grow into the person I want to be. I’m not the kind of teenager who feels the need to push limits in the traditional sense, I don’t go out breaking rules. But I do challenge myself in my own way. I constantly push myself to become better, to take on new experiences, and to explore different parts of life that will help me develop. That’s why I’ve chosen this adventure: I want to broaden my world and step into a place that will truly shape me. I am also someone who gives everything to what I set my mind to. I have a strong sense of determination and perfectionism, sometimes too much perfectionism! When I want something, I will do whatever it takes to achieve it. I always try to do my best, whether it’s in school, sports, or personal goals. One of my biggest passions is film and storytelling. I hope to one day study at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in New York City, to become a movie director and screenwriter. I love thinking about stories and imagining scenes in my head, and I hope this exchange year will inspire me creatively. That said, I’m not someone who spends all day thinking about movies, I just really enjoy the creative process, and it’s a dream I’m working towards, step by step. But honestly, more than anything, I want to have fun. That is my number one goal for this year: to enjoy every moment, say yes to new things, make amazing memories, and really live the high school experience. I want to laugh, meet new people, go on adventures, and just soak it all in. I also really love design and visual aesthetics. In addition to film, I enjoy creating things like magazines or visual projects, anything where I can play with layout, color, and style. I’m not exactly sure where that creative side will take me yet, but it’s definitely a big part of who I am. Another big passion of mine is fashion. I always make sure I take care of myself, and I enjoy expressing who I am through my style. You’ll never see me leave the house in sweatpants! At the same time, I’m polite, well-mannered, and respectful. I know how to behave at the table, I’m always on time, and I try to treat people the way I would want to be treated. I have played field hockey since I was four years old, and I truly love the energy, teamwork, and rhythm of the game. It runs in the family, my parents and my younger sister all play too. I also really hope to join a sports team during my exchange year, whether it’s hockey or something new. I think being active and part of a group is one of the best ways to feel at home in a new environment. I’m also obsessed with traveling. I love discovering new places, meeting people with different perspectives, and seeing what daily life is like around the world. That’s why this exchange year means so much to me, it’s not just a school year, it’s a full-on life adventure. At first, I can be a little shy, especially in a new environment. But once I feel safe and comfortable, I open up and become the best version of myself: fun, energetic, and full of little jokes. I love talking to people, having deep conversations, and laughing about small things. Family is important to me. I have a very close bond with my parents and my younger sister, and leaving them behind for a year won’t be easy. That’s why I truly hope to join a warm, loving host family where I can feel like I belong. It would be really special if there’s someone around my age in the family, but more than anything, I’m looking for a genuine connection. Since my mom will be on the other side of the world, I know I will miss having a mother figure in my daily life, someone to talk to, share moments with, and ask advice from. Even though this exchange year will be a challenge, I’m more than ready to embrace it. I want to grow, learn, and experience life in a new way. I don’t just want to be a guest, I want to be part of your family, to join your traditions, help out with daily routines, and share in all the little moments that make life beautiful. Thank you for considering me as part of your family. With love, Charlotte