Dear Host Family,

My name is Federica and I am excited about spending a year in the United States and becoming part of your family. I would like to introduce myself and share a little about my life, my passions and my dreams for this experience.

I come from a loving family of four: my mother, father, sister and myself. My parents are very supportive and always want the best for me. My father is kind and reliable: I like to joke with him and I know he is always there when I need him. My mother is caring and protective; she knows exactly how to make me happy and we share a special love of sweets! My sister and I are three years apart, but we have done everything together: she is the person I trust most and we don’t need to do anything special to have fun, just be together. My family and I like to make even the simplest moments special, like watching TV contests by guessing the answers and competing with each other. Every summer we go on holiday to resorts where we enjoy activities such as group dances, competitions, hiking and meeting new people. Being surrounded by happy, carefree energy is something I really love.

I would describe myself as a curious, positive and determined person. I like to learn new things, make people laugh and bring positive energy wherever I go. At first I might seem a bit shy because I like to listen and observe, but as soon as I feel comfortable I become talkative, playful and always ready to joke. My friends say I am someone they can always count on, whether it is for a laugh or a serious conversation.

One of my greatest passions is the sea. I have been swimming for 11 years and water has always been my natural element. I love everything: diving from boats, playing with the waves, sitting by the sea at sunrise or sunset and spending summer evenings eating pizza on the beach with my friends. The sea makes me feel free and at peace.

Music is another important part of my life. I played the piano for six years and I still enjoy it. I like listening to artists like Coldplay, Bruno Mars and Coez (my favourite Italian singer). One of my biggest dreams is to go to one of their concerts! I also love to cook, especially sweets. I could never say no to anything made with chocolate or Nutella, especially torta tenerina, crostata or giant croissants. Everyone knows that all I need to be happy is a Lindt chocolate or a Nutella sandwich!

My daily life is quite organised. I wake up at 7.10am, go to school and then come home to cook pasta and have lunch with my family when they get home from work. Then I take a short break, study and do my homework before going to swimming practice. In the evening, I have dinner watching a TV programme with my family and go to bed around 11.30pm. When I am with my friends, I like to cook pizza or bake biscuits and crepes, watch TV and have sleepovers. I like to organise activities and make sure we always have fun. I am quiet at first, but when I open up I am the one who makes everyone laugh!

This year abroad is something I have dreamed of for a long time. I want to fully immerse myself in American culture, make new friends, and experience things I’ve only seen in movies. I can’t wait to cheer at a football or basketball game, celebrate Halloween by carving pumpkins and seeing decorated houses, and of course, live the prom dream! I also hope to visit some iconic places like New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas and experience something completely new: snow! I’ve never seen it before and I imagine it to be magical. More than anything else, I want to embrace each new experience without fear, step out of my comfort zone and create unforgettable memories. I come from an Italian coastal town, where the sea is an important part of our daily life. The beaches are the main attraction, especially in summer, and I love walking along the seafront with my family or friends. Although I am always looking for new adventures, my city has taught me to appreciate the beauty of nature and the small moments of peace that come with it.

I really hope to become part of your family, to share my culture with you and to learn from yours. I look forward to making new friends, new experiences and an unforgettable year together!

Thank you for hosting me.