Dear future host family!

I’m Tayná, I’m 15 years old and I’m from Brazil. I’m a girl who loves to have new experiences, so I’m very excited about my exchange year next year. First of all, I’d like to talk to you about my family, they are the most important thing in my life. I live alone with my mom, she educated me and gave me values I’ll never forget. My dad lives in a nearby city, I spend some weekends with him. I have two brothers there, one who is six years old and the other is two years old, which is why I’m so good with kids, (I really like them!). My dad also gave me a second mother, who I trust with everything. I’m also very friendly and communicative, though I can be a little shy at first. I’ve already moved to two different cities, which allowed me to meet many people. I love spending time with my friends; my group is very funny (who doesn’t like to laugh until their stomach hurts?), and we’re always finding ways to get together at someone’s house.

I guess you’d like to know about my routine and interests, so let me start by sharing them with you. Every weekday, I wake up at 6:30 a.m., have a good breakfast, and go to school. Although I don’t really enjoy waking up early, I always prioritize my responsibilities. I believe I’m a great student, and my good grades reflect my dedication. After school, I come home and have lunch with my mom. We watch TV together and talk about our day so far. In the afternoons, I usually go to the gym and study. On Mondays, I attend my English course, which lasts about two hours; I really like my teacher and my classmates there. My favorite school subjects are math, English, and arts-related topics (it’s a shame we don’t have more of those). At home, I help by washing and drying the dishes and organizing my bedroom and bathroom. I like seeing things in their place, so I wouldn’t mind helping if you need anything.

I have countless interests and hobbies, though I don’t play many sports. I do love going to the gym and dancing. I’d also love to try skiing, surfing, skating and theater (like I did when I was a child), and, most importantly, I’d love to be a cheerleader. When it comes to my hobbies, I enjoy all types of art and entertainment—watching series, going to the movies, listening to music (I have very eclectic taste), taking photos, making videos, and even oil painting. I also play chess and participate in championships when there are events in my city. I love holidays and family outings, (especially when we go to the beach. I’m not picky about food; I like fruits, salads, meat, pasta, and many other dishes. I’ll definitely cook some traditional Brazilian food for you! But I must admit, I can’t live without my cup of coffee. Lastly, it’s important to mention that I don’t handle very spicy dishes well, which is a bit of a shame.

I hope you enjoyed learning a little about me, my interests, and who I am. To finish this letter, I’d like to share why this exchange is so important to me and what I hope to gain from it. When I was twelve, I decided to give up the Brazilian’s traditional fifteen-year-old party in favor of pursuing a different dream—to travel to another country alone. Last year, this became my biggest challenge. I did a lot of research and had several difficult conversations with my parents to achieve what I wanted so much. For me, this is a dream come true: to live the American high school experience, meet new people, and learn new things. I know it’s hard to leave my home and family behind, but the idea of finding a new family and a new version of myself in another country fills me with excitement. This is the opportunity I’ve been hoping for over the years. My main goals are to improve my English and shape my future. I hope to make friends, find a new home, and explore new places. I’ll do my best to make the most of this experience. I can’t wait to see this dream become a reality and to meet my host family. I promise to come with an open heart and mind, and I hope we’ll get along very well. I’m sure I’ll love being your new daughter.