Dear family:

My name is Maria, I’m a fifteen year-old teenager from Spain. I currently live with my parents, as an only child. I’ve never complained from the lack of siblings because my parents always made sure I felt cared, loved and never lonely and I have some close friends that to me, they are my sisters. My parents and I often go on hikes (when the weather allows us to), weekend getaways and bike rides because it helps with family bonding.

I normally describe myself as hardworking, adventurous, curious and social. I like doing well at school, but sometimes I spend too much time focusing on my studies so I could also describe myself as a perfectionist, making me struggle with time management, but I am working on improving that. I like going on new adventures too, especially with my dad because he is as adventurous and courageous as me. We love going to amusement parks together (My mom comes along as well, but she does not enjoy the rides as much as we do). In addition, ever since I remember, I have always been curious. My grandpa and I used to go to the park in the mornings when I was a toddler, I would ask him about all sorts of little bugs, animals and flowers, he would answer my questions as I listened carefully, always willing to learn something new. Moreover, we could say that I am a social butterfly. I love getting to know other people whose culture differs from mine. I believe there is always something to learn from each person and that is related with one of my strengths: teamwork. Working with the right people makes things so much easier. There is also a sense of belonging that no one can ignore, as well as unforgettable friendships.

To be honest, I am not the most active person. However, that does not mean I would not love to. During summer, instead of spending time at home, I hang out with some friends and we play tennis and paddle together and during winter, I go ice skating with them. It makes holiday mornings more entertaining. I also like reading, mystery and romance books, like most teenage girls my age. As for food, I like pizza, pasta, steak and I prefer fish and meat rather than vegetables and pulses, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a balanced diet. Here in Spain, Easter is a very important tradition, even more than Christmas. In big cities, every day there are several processions in honor of Jesus and his life. During that time, my family reunites and some relatives from other parts of Spain come over to my hometown. Personally, Easter is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to share magical moments with my younger cousins since it’s one of the few times I see them during the year.

Last but not least, I hope I get to become a more mature and independent person after this experience. I want to become a more open-minded person and step out of my comfort zone, which is something I’ve been slightly afraid of. Regarding my preferences, I don’t mind if the family who chooses me if it has pets or not, or if it leaves in the north or in the south. The thing that most matters to me is that I get to experience a year of my life in the US and I get to learn more about their culture as well as show mine to the world, a culture that I’m proud of. I couldn’t be more thankful to the volunteering family who is willing to open their home to me, an exchange student but also teenager who is far away from their hometown for your hospitality and best efforts to make my stay unforgettable.