Dear Host Family and School,

my name is Lisa, I am 15 years old and I live in the northern part of Germany, Europe.

My parents live separately, which is why I spend a few days a week with my mother, her boyfriend/partner and my little dog. My mother and her boyfriend/partner like to spend time in our garden and relax. I live in a house with them, in a little town that has about 34,151 inhabitants. The rest of the week I spend with my dad in another city, but it is only 10- 15 minutes by car away from my mothers house (the city has about 1.9 million inhabitants). We live in an apartment with his wife and my half-brother. We like to go on short walks and have some little adventures in our free time. In general, I live not far from downtown, around 35 minutes by car.

For my host family: Where do you live? Who belongs to your family?

At home I do some small household duties, for example: taking out the trash, emptying the dishwasher and of course tidying up my room.

My close family also includes my grandparents. One of my grandmas lives in Romania, so we often go there on holiday with my maternal family to visit her, but she also often comes to Germany to visit us because she can speak German. My second grandmother and grandfather live in Germany, not so far from us, which is why I can visit them more often.

I like doing things with my grandparents and spending time with them. For example, I really like baking with my grandmother from Romania or going on little walks with them.

I am currently in the 10th grade at a school in my city. At school I like the subjects: math, physics and chemistry, but also English. I have been learning English since the first grade, so for almost ten years, but despite years of English lessons I have not really managed to understand and speak English fluently, which is why I am sure, that a stay abroad in the USA for a few months will definitely change that.

For my host family: Do you speak any other languages besides English?

My goal is to get my Abitur (High School Diploma), but I am not sure yet whether I want to go to a University or do an apprenticeship afterwards, because I do not know exactly what I want to do when I grow up. In my free time after school or on weekends I do my homework and learn a little bit for school but after I have finished all my schoolwork, I like to do things with my friends, family or volunteer at a senior citizen foundation and help the senior citizens with walks or shopping.

Sometimes I go to the dance school and dance various classical dances there, such as waltz and tango, but now I do a little break with sport. In the summer months I also like to play tennis with friends or my mother and her boyfriend/partner.

For my host family: What do you like to do in your free time?

Now you're probably wondering why I'm interested in a stay abroad in the USA. I would like to spend a few months in the USA, because I want to get to know the culture and diversity of the country better. I find it interesting to get to know a different school system and a different environment. But I also want to improve and expand my English skills.

I chose this program, because it can make my dreams come true: to gain experience in the everyday life of another family, to get to know the cultures and traditions, to meet new people and to get a glimpse into a different school system. I therefore really hope to get the opportunity to go on a stay abroad like this in the USA, to live with your family and to get to know your culture better. If you are interested, I would be happy to tell you a little more about my culture and my life in Germany.

I would like to thank you very much for accepting me and I am looking forward to getting to know the school and of course you better and spending a few months with your family.

Best regards,

 Lisa

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