Hello dear host family, My name is Jule Marie and I live in Germany. I am so grateful for the chance to spend a year with you in the United States, and I really appreciate this opportunity. I can't wait to experience life with you, to learn about your traditions, and to make new memories together. To help you get to know me, l'd like to tell you a bit about myself and what I enjoy. I live with my Mum and Dad in the North of Germany in a small town. My Dad is a self-employed lawyer and my Mum has a part time job as a pharmacist. My two older brothers Niclas ( 22) and Mattis (20) already moved out and both are studying in other cities. One of my biggest hobbies is playing soccer. I play on a team in my hometown, and soccer is very important to me. I have made good friends through soccer, and it brings a lot of fun and energy to my life. If there is a chance to keep playing in the U.S., I would love to continue! Recently, I also started going to the gym, where I train about twice a week. I really enjoy working out, and it's been a great new activity for me. Another thing I like to do is cook and bake. I bake quite often, usually for my family or friends, and I enjoy trying new recipes. When I'm not at soccer practice, the gym, or baking, I like to spend time with my friends. We go shopping together, have sleepovers, and often visit the nearest big city to explore. We also like to just hang out and take my dog, Max, for walks. Max is five years old, and he is very special to me-he's like a part of the family. I love animals in general, but especially dogs, cats, and horses. In my free time, I also like to watch TV to relax. My favorite show is Modern Family, which I've been watching since I was about seven years old. I know it almost by heart! | also love listening to music. My family and I are very close, and we spend a lot of time together at home. We play card games and sometimes have movie nights on weekends. During school breaks, we usually travel together. We often go to our vacation home by the Baltic Sea and spend time there. When I was ten, I had a very memorable trip to the United States with my family. We traveled across the country in an RV for about three weeks, visiting all kinds of places, including Hollywood. But my favorite trips are the cruises we take. I have visited many places on cruises, and my most recent trip was with my family and my best friend on a cruise from Singapore to Dubai. It was an amazing adventure! Now, I am very excited to have the chance to spend a year with an American family, where I can learn about the culture, make new friends, and go to an American high school. I also hope to improve my English along the way! Both of my older brothers spent a year abroad, and they had wonderful, memorable experiences. I am really looking forward to my own adventure now! Thank you so much for offering me this opportunity and for welcoming me into your family and home. I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you. Who is in your family? Do you have any pets? Are there any special activities or traditions you enjoy together? And what do you usually do on weekends? I'm excited to learn all about you and share this experience with you. Warmest regards, Your exchange student, Jule Marie