Dear Host family,
My name is Miriam. I am 16 years old, and I’m from Italy. We live in a house in a small town in the south of Italy. I live with my mom, who is a chartered accountant in a company, my dad, who is a municipal police chief, my sister, who is three years older than me, and my little dog. My family is a big part of my life, so I love them very much.
The thing I like to do the most in my free time is probably reading. I have always liked books; they have been a big part of my childhood, and I can probably say that books like “Harry Potter” or “Percy Jackson” raised me. Even now that I’m older, I still prefer reading fantasy because they make me feel like there are no limits to my imagination. I also really like classic books; in fact, my favorite book is “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë. While I read, I usually listen to music, which is also something I enjoy. I don’t really know how to describe my taste in music because I always say that I like all songs except the ones that I don’t like, and I know that this probably doesn’t make sense, but I can assure you that this is how I feel about it. If I had to choose, I’d say my favourite singer is Lana Del Rey.
Obviously, a huge part of my life is school, and even if sometimes it is boring and hard, I can say that I have always liked studying and the satisfaction it gives me. For example, when I get a good grade and I know my efforts have been rewarded. My favourite subjects are literature, chemistry, and English. In my spare time, I also go to the gym. I’m trying to go three times a week, even if sometimes it is hard. Another thing that I really like to do is my makeup because it relaxes me and makes me feel more confident. That’s why, in the morning, when I’m not too tired, I try to wake up 10 minutes earlier just to do my makeup. I also like baking, even if I’m a big mess in the kitchen; I try my best. My favourite holiday is Christmas, and I also really like Halloween, even though it’s not widely celebrated in Italy. Also, I’m very curious to learn more about your holydays.
Naturally, like everybody, I think I like to travel, especially when I’m with my friends and family. I’ve been to different cities in Italy, and my favourites are Florence and Venice. My first time abroad was last summer, when I went to London for three weeks. During that trip, I discovered that I really don’t like flying, but I visited so many different amazing places that I’m really grateful for, such as Camden, which is my favourite part of London. I also had the chance to experience a different culture and improve my English. That’s also why I would really enjoy coming to the U.S.A.
An essential part of who I am is my friends because I believe that we are the friends we choose. In my free time, I always try to hang out with them. They are very special to me, and I appreciate the bond we have. I genuinely think that friendship shapes us, influencing the way we grow and see the world. Also, I think that friends are very important because no one can make it on their own. Since I believe that friends are very important, I would love to share this experience with a host sister/brother my age. Even though I try to be an active person, I also enjoy relaxing and taking a break, maybe while I watch a TV series.
Talking about my personality, I can say I’m a little bit shy at first with people I don’t know well, but once I get comfortable, I’m much more open. I think that I’m kind and empathetic, and I always try to help people when they need it. I would also say that I’m a determined person. When I set a goal, I do my best to achieve it. Another thing about me is that I really like to make plans to organize my day. Even if I don’t always follow them, it is really important to me. I’m also a curious person, and that’s the main reason why I want to participate in this program. Even if I’m really scared because I would be in another country far from home, I’m also excited.
I have always loved English, and I know how important it is to communicate with people all around the world, so of course, I’m very interested in improving it as much as possible, not only through school but also by talking with you and experiencing everyday life in the family. I’m also very curious about American culture because, growing up, I watched a lot of American movies and TV shows, and now I’d love to experience it in real life. I believe this experience will be a unique opportunity to grow both personally and culturally. I am excited to immerse myself in your culture and discover your traditions and your daily lifestyle.
I know that adapting to all these changes will be challenging at first, but I love the idea of becoming part of a new family for these months and sharing special moments together. I am curious to learn about your habits and to tell you about my culture and my country. I hope this experience will be amazing for both of us and that we will create special and meaningful memories.
