Hello, Family! I´m Gonzalo!

First of all, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of your life during this year. I know it’s not a small thing to open your home to someone from another country, with a different culture and customs, but I promise to do everything I can to make this experience amazing for all of us.

Let me tell you a bit about myself so you can get to know me better: I’m a guy who’s super passionate about sports. Soccer is my true love (both playing and watching), but I’m also into any physical activity. Basketball, etc—you name it, I’m in! I’m really excited to see how sports are lived in the United States and, if possible, to join a school or local team. Not only because I love competing, but also because I think it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.

I love outdoor activities, with my family or friends, like going to the mountains to walk, or I like simply listening to music when I go for a walk at the city; and when I stay at home, I love listening to music, cooking with my mother or playing videogames. I love to spend time with my family. Travelling with them is fun, sometimes we go shopping together, or we go out for lunch or dinner, or simply we just stay at home watching a program on TV or chatting.

When I meet up with my friends, I like to spend time chatting with them or going to play soccer or basketball, going the cinema, or ice skating in winter; and sometimes we prepare some lunch or dinner at a friend´s house, where we play a board game or watch a movie, we really enjoy spending time together.

When it comes to my personality, I’d say I’m laid-back, friendly, and always try to keep a good attitude. I know living together might feel a bit awkward at first, but I’m more than willing to adapt to your way of life. I’m super open to learning from you: from your daily routines to specific things like your traditions, customs, and even family recipes. On my end, I’d love to share a bit of my own culture with you, especially if you’re into soccer or want to try some dishes from my country (though I’m not a great chef, I can manage a few basics, and I promise I won’t poison anyone).

I also want to be honest: this will be my first time being so far from my family and friends for such a long time. While I know this will be an amazing experience, there will probably be days when I’ll miss them a lot, but I’m sure that with your support and my efforts to integrate, we’ll create a very special bond.

If you have any house rules, specific routines, or anything else I should know, please don’t hesitate to tell me right away. I’m respectful and understand that good communication is key to living together. More than being a “guest,” I hope you’ll see me as someone who can become part of your family, someone to share great moments with and create memories together.

I’m genuinely excited about everything this year will bring. Learning, growing, and getting to know you is something I’m already looking forward to. Thank you for your generosity and for opening your home and your lives to me. I can’t wait to meet you all!

With gratitude and lots of excitement,

Gonzalo

Interested in hosting—whether 6-8 weeks or the entire school year?