Dear host family,

Hello! I’m Emelyne, I’m seventeen. I’m currently a student in secondary school (the equivalent of High School) in the last grade. For two years, I have been dreaming about discovering your culture, traditions, lifestyle and daily life!

I aim to become a teacher. I would like to work in English immersion and apply the school system I would have discovered. Indeed, the American school system is really different from the Belgian’s one. Moreover, I would like to become bilingual in English to be able to travel and work around the world. In my opinion, it’s a beautiful and logical language. Your country, the United States, is my first choice because it’s a beautiful country, with lots of different and fabulous landscapes, the main language is English which I love, the school system is as different as better, and the cultures and lifestyle are really different from one place to another.

I love discovering new cultures, new traditions, new lifestyles, new people... It’s my way to understand the world, to be open-minded and, in the future, teach and give children the capacity to be open-minded and empathic. I also like reading. It allows me to take a step back and see any situation in its globality and from another point of view.
I live in Belgium, in a village near to a city. It’s really quiet and peaceful here. There are a bakery, a farm, a few shops as well as a nursery and a primary school (for children between 2,5 and 11 years old) where I went during my childhood. I have two brothers : my twin, and my little brother. There are also my parents. They are basically both nurses, but now my dad works as a lecturer and my mom as a head nurse in home care. I’m really close to all of them and I truly love them. I’m also close to my godmother, Isaline, and her two daughters, who are four and seven. I have done a lot of activities with them and I have several times babysat the two little girls while my godmother was out with her husband.

In my daily life, I spend most of my time learning because school lasts eight hours and when I come back home at about five p.m., I have to study for the tests I have. But fortunately, I like learning and studying isn't a burden for me ! When I’m not studying, I read a fantasy book, watch a serie with my family, help my parents or play with my brothers. On the weekend, I’m usually studying during the morning and helping with cleaning and gardening during the afternoon. When it’s done, I read, watch a serie with my family or play with my brothers. My family always sees family or friends on Saturday evening.

During this exchange year, I would like to take part in your culture, traditions, daily life and get to know you. It would be wonderful if I could volunteer. I have always wanted to do it but this is not as present in Belgium as in the United States. I would be a great way to help and meet people ! I would love, if possible, to attend activities such as writing, drama or theatre because they are activities I would love doing but I have never had the opportunity yet. Above all, I hope I could do activities that I would have never experienced as a tourist. It is as American sports as events like Thanksgiving. I also would like to discover your community and take part in it, if you agree. It would be a good way to spend time together and for me to discover your daily life.

In exchange, I would love to make you discover some of my culture and my traditions, to take part in your activities and help you with cleaning, gardening... I just hope this experience will be wonderful for all of us !

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and, if applicable, for your hospitality in welcoming me into your family and community. It would be an honor to meet you,

Warm regards,
Emelyne

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