Dear Host Family, Hi! My name is Mia, I’m 14 years old, and I’m from Barcelona, Spain. I live in an apartment with my parents, two of my sisters, and our two cats. I also have two other sisters who are currently studying in Argentina, where most of my dad’s family lives, so my family is very big and spread out—but very close. I’m the youngest of five sisters, and three of them are triplets! Having so many sisters can be a little crazy sometimes, but I love it. We are very close and always support each other, even if they complain when I borrow their clothes (which I do… a lot!). I also have a very tight relationship with my parents. My dad is an architect, and my mom works as a theater manager and producer. My dad is a bit stricter, but he’s also very supportive and really funny, and my mom is the person I feel most comfortable talking about my feelings. They have always encouraged me to be open-minded, independent, confident, and creative. Family is very important to me. I grew up spending a lot of time with my grandparents, cousins, and uncles. The family we have in Barcelona lives nearby, and with my family in Argentina we try to visit each other at least once a year and stay in touch through video calls. I go to a large high school, and I really enjoy it because I get to meet many different people. I have a close group of friends, but I get along well with most of my classmates. My favorite subjects are PE and English, and I also like literature. After school, my days are usually pretty busy. I play basketball three times a week, which is one of my favorite activities, and I also attend English classes twice a week. When I get home, I study, read, write, watch TV series, or help around the house. Because of my schedule, I have learned to be organized and responsible with both my schoolwork and chores. On Saturdays, I usually have basketball games, and on Sundays I spend the afternoon with my Scout group, called “Cau” here in Spain. I’m not sure how similar it is to Scouts in the U.S., but we focus a lot on nature, teamwork, and helping our community through volunteer activities. When I have free time on weekends, I love hanging out with my friends—going shopping, walking around the city, or getting ice cream. I usually need to be home by 9 p.m., and if ever I go to events at night, like some concert, I always go with an adult. We live in one of the most densely populated, ancient, and multicultural cities in Europe, but during the Holidays, we enjoy going to the beach, where we have an apartment by the sea in an old fishing town about 200 km from Barcelona. And sometimes we also go to the mountains, where we rent an isolated century-old house in the middle of the forest, only 60 km from Barcelona. These experiences have helped me appreciate both urban the outdoors lifestyles. I would describe myself as a friendly, curious, and positive person. I adapt easily to new situations and enjoy helping others. Like most teenagers, I’m still improving some aspects of myself and working on things like time management, but I see this exchange program as a great opportunity to grow, learn, and mature. I want to study in the United States because I’m really interested in American culture, school life, and everyday experiences. I believe this opportunity will help me improve my skills and learn to see the world from different perspectives. I am excited about meeting new people, facing new challenges, and becoming part of your family. As an exchange student, I promise to be respectful and responsable.I am willing to help at home, participate in family activities, share my culture and follow house rules. I truly hope to be a positive and caring member of your family. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my letter. I really expect to meet you soon and share this amazing experience together. Warm regards, Mia