Dear host family, My name is Johanna, and right now I'm attending grade 10 in Germany. In this essay you'll get to know me a little bit better, and maybe we're a match and we'll meet soon.  I also want to thank you in advance for taking your time and considering my application.  My wish to spend an highschool year in the USA developed early on. My mother did it when she was my age. My brother spent a year in Maine three years ago and my family and I have already visited the USA together three times. I love your country, your language, and your culture. Although I already know a lot about America, I want to learn even more, and what better way is there to stay an American host family. I would describe myself as a very open and optimistic person who's always up for new experiences.I'm also a very active person who loves all kinds of sports. And as cliché as it might sound, I would love to be in a typical American cheerleading team. In Germany sport structures my every day life. I am part of a tennis and a dancing team. When I am on holidays with my parents or friends, I like to surf or to ski. Where I live we also have the opportunity to go rock climbing and mountain biking and I love doing that as well. As I'm an outgoing person, I really enjoy large friend groups and going out at the weekends. Most of my friends I know through school, sports, and social events in our city. They have made such a positive impact on my life and also my personality. Maybe you should know, that I am not religious, but I'm very tolerant and respectful of other faiths. I am a "summer girl" and I love everything about summer; it's definitely my favorite season. Although,I am also fine with winter and really enjoy the Christmas season. I get cold easily, but if you live in the cold, I get the right gear and maybe winter will become my favorite time of the year. I have to admit that I am not the most organized person, so I tend to forget things really easily, but I am working on that and it get's better every day. I love animals with my whole heart.We have two cats (Jacky and Queenie). Every day I am looking forward to seeing them after school. So if you had any pets, I would be very happy. Apart from going out with my friends, I also like to be by myself some days and watch movies and series. I love being creative, so I use these days for drawing, sewing, and just doing things for myself and things that make me happy. What am looking for is a host family that maybe has kids at my age and experience the American way of life. I can certainly bring in my personality and cultural background to enrich your family." I hope you got to know me a little bit better, and I am really looking forward to seeing you in 2025 and making so many new memories together.  Friends, Johanna