Dear host family, I am very excited to meet you soon and become part of your family. My name is Annabelle and I come from Germany and currently in the 9th grade. I live with my parents in a suburb of a big city. We live in a very rural area with lots of forests and a big river in our town. At home we have dogs, cats and rabbits. I also have an older sister who did a foreign exchange year in Arizona two years ago. She was so enthusiastic about the experience and high school life there that I knew when I was old enough, I wanted to live in America for a year too. I am very outgoing and communicative and I enjoy spending time with my friends. But I also appreciate quiet moments. I`m very athletic and have tried many different sports. Currently I enjoy playing volleyball the most. I am part of a volleyball team and compete in tournaments every weekend. I love it because I get to be with my friends. I also do horseback riding one day a week. My parents have a large horticulture and produce many plants. In the summer they always attend big fairs all over Germany where they sell their plants and decoration for home and garden. My sister and I always go with them and help out. During vacations we often travel. In the winter we always go skiing in the mountains. In the summer we travel to other countries in Europe. I love discovering new countries and cultures and always enjoy this time with my family. At school I`m particularly interested in art, english, sports and history. After school I always have many tasks to do. Either I have training or I take care of our animals and help my mum with household chores. I enjoy baking and cooking. It`s fun for me to discover new recipes and try out new foods. I´m very much looking forward to my student exchange in the USA. I hope to be welcomed into a kind and friendly family and to have an unforgettable year. I am excited about experiencing typical American high school life, the culture, trying new foods and meeting many new people. Through my sister, I know that there are also moments that are not so easy, especially at the beginning. But I know I can handle it well and will learn a lot from it. I am looking forward to meet you soon and experiencing an exciting time together! Warm regards, Annabelle.