Dear Host Family, Thank you very much for welcoming an exchange student into your home. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to live with an American family and experience everyday life in the United States. I am a student, and I would describe myself as creative, open-minded, humorous, and friendly. I enjoy making people laugh and having a relaxed atmosphere around me. One of my biggest interests is art. I love painting with acrylics and drawing, especially when I feel inspired. I don’t follow a strict routine when it comes to art, I create whenever I feel creative, which makes it very personal and meaningful to me. I live with my parents, and although my older brother has moved out to study, we are still very close and have a great relationship. Family is important to me, and we support each other a lot. We also have pets, a large dog (a Landseer) and a budgie, which makes our home lively and fun. I am currently in 10th grade. My favorite subjects are mathematics and art, as I enjoy both logical thinking and creativity. I am quite ambitious when it comes to my school performance and my hobbies, even though there are some subjects I enjoy less, such as geography and social sciences. In my free time, I like spending time with my friends, going for walks, eating out together, or simply talking. I also enjoy reading occasionally, knitting, and playing sports. I played table tennis before and am planning to start volleyball soon. When I am in new situations, I sometimes feel more comfortable when I first connect closely with one person before opening up more. Once I feel settled, I become more confident and social. I would describe myself as a mix of organized and relaxed. I want to live in the U.S. and attend an American high school because I am very interested in cultural exchange and daily life in another country. I am especially excited about experiencing high school life, improving my English skills, and learning about American traditions and values. At the same time, I have great respect for being in a completely new environment, but I see this as a chance to grow. For my future, completing my Abitur (High School Diploma in Germany) is important to me, even though I have learned that passing and learning from the experience matters more than perfect results. I am interested in studying architecture, as it combines creativity and technical thinking, two areas I enjoy greatly. I am particularly interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly building. After finishing school, I would also like to travel and explore the world, even if this plan is still open and flexible. I would love to share my culture, traditions, and food with you and become a part of your family. I am very excited about this exchange experience and hope to create many meaningful memories together. Warm regards Mika