Dear American Family,

I’m thankful to you for reading this and considering giving me space at your home. I’m Fatimah, a 10th-grader from India. II am like an amphibian (who can survive in terrestrial as well as aquatic environments) hence I describe myself as “flexible” Fatimah. Meeting new people and learning from them fascinates me the most. I’m enthusiastic, and a quick learner. I always find a reason to smile and make others smile (even on my difficult days).

I live in a joint family that includes my grandparents, my parents, and my 5-year-old brother. My grandfather (now retired from services) has worked in the education department, and my grandmother is a homemaker who is a pillar of our family, dedicating her days to creating a warm and loving home for all of us. They have given a modest upbringing to my father making him one the best in the world who I consider my ideal and my hero. My father a banker by profession works very hard and leaves no stone unturned for the well-being and happiness of our family. Alongside him stands my mother, a schoolteacher who is very focused and a torchbearer of our family’s social connections. I have imbibed the best mix of both, shaping me into the person I am today. The celebrity of our family is my 5-year-old brother, who is not just a sibling but a constant companion. His infectious laughter and endless curiosity brighten our days and fills our home with joy. Every day he is in the character of some new superhero. From him, I learn the beauty of getting happy with the simplest things.

We try to match our schedules to the best so that we can cherish every moment spent together. The daily activities which I enjoy doing with my family are going for a walk in the saffron fields with my father, we do gardening on the weekends and we ensure that we have at least one meal together. Additionally, we visit our apple orchids back in the village at least once in three months. These activities have become a cherished routine that allows us to create memorable moments.

At home, we all work collectively as a team, but my mother plays a central role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly. I help her with the chores within my capacity like doing dishes and occasionally making breakfast and snacks when she’s not available. I take care of my own responsibilities such as cleaning my room, washing and ironing my clothes, arranging my closet, etc. One of the major responsibilities that I take is helping my brother with homework and teaching him.

Being a student, my key interest is studies. Alongside my studies, I love to sing and play guitar. It is one of those activities I do most of during the time dedicated to leisure activities. It helps me connect with my inner self through the melodies. In addition to music, as a part of Drama Saver’s theatre club, I act as it gives me the opportunity to explore a wide range of emotions and connect with people in a meaningful way. I have been a member of Radio DPS as a Radio Jockey for more than three years now. Given my naturally gifted talkative nature, I love this role of a “chatterbox” and effectively channel this quality into my work as a Radio Jockey.

The word “Friends” brings warmth and happiness to my heart adding to the strength that I get from a diverse bunch of 5 close friends I have. When I am with them, we usually have a lot of fun. The moments we spend together are unforgettable. We do group studies, where we use each other’s strengths in various subjects, some of us are good at Maths, some at science, and some at other subjects, so collectively we make each other better. When together, we eat a lot, laugh a lot, and enjoy playing sports be it riding the swings like toddlers or playing football. I am grateful to be surrounded by these optimistic people, who can find good in every situation which helps us cope with hardships easily.

I come from a city situated in the north of India with immense beauty surrounded by lofty forested mountains. The city is famous for its beautiful gardens, Rivers, lakes, and houseboats. It holds Asia’s largest tulip garden. It’s known for its Silk and carpet mills, Handicrafts, and wood carving.

I plan to study deeper about the branches of computer science, especially Artificial intelligence. I am convinced that AI will definitely be useful in the future and it is a revolution that one would love to be a part of. Working as an AI Software Engineer will provide developmental prospects that aim at making the best of Artificial Intelligence.

I love to write on a piece of paper and express my emotions rather than venting to someone else. I’m a strong believer in the quote, “Paper is more patient than man”. I love to cook and look forward to learning baking. I am capable of handling situations on my own by channeling and communicating my feelings. I am a team player and believe in collaborating rather than competing.

I firmly believe that this exchange program is an excellent fit for my passion for continuous learning. It will allow me to further enhance my understanding of different cultures, which will in turn present me with new opportunities and allow me to escape the limitations imposed by my own narrow and limited ways of seeing the world. My key takeaway from this program will be to generate and disseminate the knowledge I gain so that it can be invested back into the society for greater good.

Thank you.

Fatimah

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