Dear host family, Thank you so much for being willing to participate in the exchange year program and accepting me to live with your family. I am so excited to get this opportunity! About me My name is Melina, but I love to be called by my nickname, Meli, and I am from Germany. I am 15 years old, and I will be 16 when I go to America. I live in a small-sized city in the northwest of Germany. I just finished 9th grade, and in summer 2026, I will start my 10th grade. My favorite series is The Rookie, and it is about police officers. I really like sports, music, reading, and spending time outside, alone or with friends. I am really good at communication and at making unfunny jokes. One thing I struggle with is getting up early. I would describe myself as an outgoing and talkative person. My motto in life is: You only live once, so make the most of it. What do you need to know about me My friends would describe me as a helpful, honest, humorous, and loyal person who always looks out for others. I love to try new things, and I enjoy spending my evenings with my cat. I really love animals, but I am so terrified of spiders. My favorite food is pizza, but I don’t like mushrooms or onions. Once you know me well, I will be one of the chattiest people you will meet. I really love summer because I like it when it is warm outside and the sun shines longer. My hobbies are volleyball and swimming, and I enjoy both so much. Most of my friendships started with my hobbies. I know three languages and speak two of them. I speak German and English, and in school I learn Latin. My English is still improving, so I hope my year in the U.S. will help me get fluent. My best friend of all time is a girl named Faye. We have known each other for 6 years, and we are inseparable. We hang out together every day. Often, we buy snacks and sit on a bench and talk. Why did I choose the U.S.? I want to attend high school and live with an American family because it was always a dream of little me. I remember that when I was younger, I wished I could live in the USA. I loved American movies, and always wanted to experience a lifestyle like this. As I grew older, I realised I could live this dream. So, I decided to apply for an exchange year. I want to see a typical American high school and experience it like a teenager in the U.S. I want to see a football game and try a different school system from the one in Germany. I want to experience lunch in the cafeteria and see the school dynamic in America. I hope I will join a sports club at my school to meet new people and learn new skills. I want to live with an American family because I want to experience their lifestyle, and I hope I will be part of this lifestyle as well. In addition, I also want to learn about their culture and celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas together with them, and I hope we will get along great and make unforgettable memories together. My life in my home country In my hometown, I have strong bonds with my family and my friends. I live as an only child with my parents, one dog (his name is Timo), and two cats (their names are Penny and Coco) in a house. My mom works as an accountant for an apartment rental company, and my dad works for a company specialising in customs declarations. In our family, we trust each other, and we live with respect and communication. My parents are not strict because they trust me, and I am so happy about this. My school is not far away from my home and usually ends at 1:20 pm. After school, I often meet up with friends, and we have a great time together. But I also have a lot of practice, so I spend a lot of time on my hobbies as well. On weekends, I often spend time with friends or family, but whenever I want to have a relaxing weekend, I build Lego sets, read, or watch TV series. My plans for the future After my year in the U.S., I want to start my 11th grade to get my high school diploma, which in Germany is called Abitur. After that, I want to study to become a teacher who teaches the subjects English and history. After my studies, I want to teach at a middle school. But when I am older, I also want to travel to see many different places. I hope that during my time with you, we will have a great experience together and that I will be the perfect match for your family. I am looking forward to meeting you! Best wishes, Melina