Dear Host Family, Thank you so much for opening your home to me for these ten months! I am really grateful for this opportunity and excited to share my daily life and Italian culture with you. My name is Matilde, and I live in a town in Northern Italy. I chose a ten-month exchange in the U.S. because I want to fully experience American lifestyle and high school life, joining clubs, trying new sports, and feeling the real school spirit! I think ten months is the right amount of time to build strong friendships and truly adapt to a new lifestyle. I would say I am a cheerful, curious, and determined girl. I like learning new things and doing my best. My friends say I am fun to be with, even if I can be a bit of a perfectionist sometimes, as I like to plan my activities thoroughly. I am currently working on improving my ability to deal with unforeseen changes of plans that can sometimes happen, and I believe this program will help me improve my problem solving skills and become more flexible. In my free time, I am part of the Girl Scouts, which taught me teamwork and a love for outdoor activities. I have tried many sports over the years, but swimming is the one I've done the longest. I am looking forward to joining a sports team in my American high school! I also enjoy watching movies and TV series, and love recommending good ones to friends and family. After a busy day, I like unwinding on the couch with a good film. At home, I live with my parents, Martina and Alessio, and my younger sister, Camilla, who is fifteen and attends my same high school. She's a competitive synchronized swimmer, I love watching her compete and I'm always amazed by how long she can stay underwater! We are a close family who loves traveling, doing sports, and having meals together on the weekends. I also like helping around the house, especially with cooking, and I can't wait to cook real Italian dishes for you! I have a great relationship with my family and friends, and I feel ready for this new step. During my exchange, I want to focus on my life in the US. I am determined to be the first one to suggest activities to do together as a family, and I am eager to spend most of my free time socializing with you, even if I know my English is not perfect yet. One of the first things I’d like to do is teach you some Italian card games if you’re up to it. Here in Italy, they are a great way to bring people together, even people who don't know each other well, nobody would say no to a card game, even with strangers! I really hope to bring this little tradition to your home too. During my stay, I hope to try new activities, celebrate American holidays, and learn more about your daily routine. What do you like to do on the weekends? Do you have any special family traditions or pets? In conclusion, I hope this year helps me become more independent and mature. For me, this exchange is a fresh start, a chance to step out of my comfort zone and prove to myself what I'm truly capable of. I'm ready to give my absolute best to this new chapter. Thank you again for welcoming me into your family. I can't wait to meet you! Warmly, Matilde