Dear host family,
My name is Paula, and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to spend time in the
United States. I can’t wait to meet you and get to know you better. I’m really looking
forward to this adventure.
Before anything else, I’d like to say thank you or as we say in German, Dankeschön. I truly
appreciate that you are opening your home to me and making this experience possible.
I am 14 years old and live with my family in a small town in Germany. At home, I
live with my mom, my dad, and my brother. 
I had my first school experience in the USA when I was in second grade. We stayed in Erie,
Pennsylvania for two months, and I went to an elementary school there. I didn’t speak much
English back then, but I really loved it! It was so exciting to go to school in a different
country. One thing I found very exciting were the water fountains in the hallways
(perspective of me as a 7-year-old girl!), we don’t have those in German schools. I still have
a pen pal from that time. I really appreciate that we have stayed in touch for so many years
now.
In the afternoons, I’m very active in sports, especially running. I’m a member of the
running club in my town. Depending on the season, I do cross-country, 800m, or 2000m
races and compete at state level (see also letter of recommendation from my coach). I
recently started doing steeplechase, too, which is a lot of fun! Additionally, I go to swim
practice regularly.
School is important to me, and I take my classes seriously. I don’t have one single favorite
subject, but this year I’ve particularly enjoyed history and chemistry. Math comes easily to
me, but I’m currently enjoying English the most.
In the upcoming school year, I will be a tutor for our new fifth-grade students during their
orientation phase. I’m really looking forward to helping them settle in and start their new
journey.
It has been a long-time dream of mine to attend an American high school. I would love to
join a cross-country or track and field team too, not only because I love running, but also
because I believe it’s a wonderful way to make new friends and become part of the school
community.
When I’m not busy with studying or doing sports, I enjoy spending time with my friends.
Although eating healthy food is important to me, I would never say no to a walk to our local
ice cream shop :)
My brother and I have a great relationship. We have a lot of fun together and
sometimes even go running together. In winter, we love skiing, usually racing down the
slopes, whereas my parents are more into relaxed ways of skiing.

My parents always support me in everything I do. They can fully understand my dream of
spending a year in the USA, as both of them were also exchange students many years ago.
I’m truly grateful for the chance to live with you and become part of your family. I’m really
excited to experience the American culture, its traditions, typical food and so on. And if
you’d like, I’d love to cook or bake something from my home country for you :)
Thank you again for this incredible opportunity. I’m very much looking forward to meeting
you in the summer of 2026!
With love,
Paula

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