Hello, my dear Host Family!

My name is Antonina, but everyone calls me Tonya. I’m 15 years old. I am from Russia. I am very excited about the opportunity to take part in the exchange program, to have a chance to live and study in the USA and to get acquainted with American culture and traditions.

I would like to tell you about me and my family. There are five people in my family: my parents, my elder sister, my younger brother and me. My mom is a teacher of English and my dad owns a shop of sanitary wares. My sister Anna is a student of a cooking college and my brother Nikita is only one-year-old. We have been living in a house outside the city for two years.

My family is very active. In summer we spend a lot of time outdoors. We ride bikes together, and we love playing badminton in the backyard. We also have a vegetable garden. I help my parents take care of it. I water vegetables and flowers, mow the lawn, harvest crops. In winter we spend more time at home. We play board games, watch films, cook food. On the first days of December we decorate the house and a Christmas tree for New Year.

I love visiting new places and I often travel without my parents. Last January me and my grandparents went to Georgia for 8 days. We were in the historical cities and places. I celebrated new year in Tbilisi – the capital of Georgia. At the end of the trip we visited “Gudauri” ski resort where I snowboarded and my grandparents skied. We often take small road trips in the summer.

My family is very friendly. There is a tradition to go to the swimming-pool every Sunday evening and then gather in one of the houses altogether and have fish soup. We share our news, congratulate each other on holidays. It makes us feel closer.

I really enjoy taking care of my cat Busya, and an axolotl Luntik.

I think people would characterize me as an interesting, kind, funny and versatile person. My strengths are that I adapt well to new places, I am independent, I am open to new experiences. I believe that these qualities will help me to adjust to the life and study in America.

I have a lot of hobbies and I’ve tried a lot of different sports. I like DIY, drawing, knitting, listening to music, playing team and board games. Last spring, I made a pink DIY cardboard car and helped my mom to make a full-sized cardboard tree for one party. I sewed a dress for my grandmother, pajamas for my dad, and two skirts for myself at sewing camp. I’m an aerial gymnast. There’s a big, friendly community of girls in our team. We always support each other at competitions and trainings. I have traveled a lot with my team to different cities of Russia for competitions that taught me a lot to be independent and take care of myself well.

I’m grateful that you’re giving me a chance to become a part of your family. It’s a big honor for me. I really appreciate your attention and I will do my best to make the time we spend together unforgettable and interesting for all your family members and me.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon