Dear future host family,

I hope you are all well up and have a great start into the year. My name is Benedict, I’m 16 years old and I am so excited about the opportunity to become a part of your family and immerse myself in your culture. As I prepare for this adventure, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and gratitude for the experiences we’ll share and the memories we’ll create together.

I grew up in 2 different countries and therefore 2 different families: My mom’s side that live in Thailand, and my father’s side from Germany. Before I went to primary school, I was living in both Thailand and Germany. In Germany it’s mostly my Parents, Grandparents and me, on the other hand in Thailand it was a big and closer family consisting of Grandmas, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Not to say that I don’t have that in Germany, but in Thailand we are all very close together and not so distant like in Germany. My mother owns a restaurant and my father works in the field of real estates with his brothers, we live with my grandpa and my cousin, who came from Thailand to study here in Germany. Even though my parents are working and my cousin is studying too, I get much company every time I am at home, but not too much because we live in a 3-story house and everyone got their place and room in a different floor. Everyone got their part to do at home, if it’s cleaning, repairing something or even buying milk when there is none left, everyone does something. My part in the household is to take out the trash, get water, do the laundry, clearing out the dishes and on some occasions I cook when my mother is exhausted or just feeling lazy to cook. I also love spending time with my family, when its hiking or traveling on holiday it’s always an enjoyable time together, my uncle invited us to a cruise ship across Europe for his birthday and I’m already pretty excited about that.

When talking about myself, I would say that I may appear preserved or not very talkative at first, but when you know me for a while you will know that this is not the case. I have no problems talking to other people or socializing, I have many friends even around the globe but when we are talking about close friends I would only be able to tell you 3 names. I can also proudly say that I’m trustworthy, responsible and hardworking, I hate it to disappoint someone or the feeling of not being trusted, it is one of the things I truly don’t like and do not want to feel coming from people I respect or adore. One last thing I can say that I’m a “tough” person, I will not give up or crumble under any circumstance, I’ll try, again and again and again, when working on something I want it to be perfect, if it’s not perfect then I’ll end up being dissatisfied. That is also one of my weaknesses of trying to do everything perfect, even when its not possible in the moment or out of my capability.

Coming to my interests and hobbies, the thing I enjoy most right now is playing volleyball. I have been playing volleyball since fourth grade and play it on a high competitive level right now. Winning the state and across states championship with my team many times and then getting to the highlight, the nationals, competing against and meeting so many people around the country brings so much excitement to me. I’m interested in sports overall, haven already run a marathon and played many sports before such as swimming, badminton, tennis, basketball etc. I like it all. In the USA I’ll also want to try out football. I have been also playing the piano for quite some time now. And when it comes to school my favorite subjects and the ones that I’m really good at are maths and phsysics.

The reason why it’s the USA I chose to spend a year with is actually really simple. I just like the diversity and this exciting feeling. Everything is so new and so different, learning a language attending a complete different form of school and activities afterwards it all gives off an exciting feeling. But it will also be a great experience, having to connect with new people in a field you have never been before and finding different viewpoint of life is something that I really want to gain from my stay in the USA.

Overall I have no preferences, I’ve been sleeping on the floor in a wood hut with only a mosquito net in the suburbs of Thailand before, where at night all the dogs start howling and in the morning all roosters start to cry. I’m open to anything what makes it even more exciting for me.

Thank you so much for considering me as a part of your home. I’m truly looking forward to meeting you, learning about your culture, and sharing my own experiences with you. I can’t wait to start this journey and create unforgettable memories together.

Until then, I wish you all the best and hope to meet you soon!