Dear host family, My name is Madeleine, I live in France and I'm currently fifteen years old. Since I was ten years old, I have wanted to live an experience in a foreign country. For me, learning new languages is very important because it allows us to communicate with people from all over the world. I also think that discovering a new culture can be a wonderful experience. I choose to live for one year in the United States because I think that this is a unique opportunity. This country makes me think of amazing landscapes and welcoming people. I have a little sister who practices classic and contemporary dancing at a good level for her age. My mom used to be a Spanish teacher but, now, she is a self-employed craftswoman. She used to be a track and field athlete with a high level in long-distance running. She did the European championships where she finished second. My dad is an English teacher in high school. When I was born until I was 2 years old, my mom usually spoke to me in Spanish. When I grew up, I discovered that I liked more English than Spanish. I have a good level in English because, when I have time, I do exercises and learn new expressions. I love speaking English with my father. He helped me to correct my mistakes in this letter. At school, I'm in the European section. It's an optional subject with an extra two hours of English. In total, I have 5 hours of English every week. I also have four hours of Physical Education. I think my three favorite subjects are English, P.E and French classes. Every evening, I usually work one hour. Outside of school, I like reading and listening to music. I started to play the piano five years ago, and it brings me peace and quiet. I'm also a sporty person. When I was young, I practised dancing for four years but I wasn't good at it so I decided to change sports. I started football for two years with my best friend. It was amazing. I didn't know if I was going to continue that sport but I ran in one of the biggest competition of my town, without training, just for fun, and I finished third. I started track and field in the best club of my city. I didn't expect that but I like running a lot. It allows me a peaceful moment without my parents, and my sister, who can be too excited for me sometimes. I can be alone and I can release my negative emotions. With training, I had really good results in middle-distance running. More recently, this winter, with my school, I finished third in the national championship of cross-country running. I also finished second in track competition this summer. I know that the level in the United States at track and field is very high and I will not be the best but, later, I wish I could become a track and field athlete. It's one of my other motivation to go to the USA. Apart from that, I have good results at school, I'm one of the best in my class at English. I have more difficulty in scientific subjects. I'm a highly sensitive person, which means that I feel emotions and sense things more than other people, and it is sometimes difficult to manage. According to my friends, I'm ambitious, generous, kind, joyful, respectful, intelligent, independent, always listening, motivated, intuitive, fair, organised, hardworking... I will be happy to be part of your family and to share this experience in a foreign country with you. Yours sincerely, Madeleine