Hello dear host family, First of all: Thank you for being part of this student exchange program and for welcoming students into your home. I am really looking forward to get to know you and I hope that we can have a wonderful time together. In this letter I would like to introduce myself so that you can get to know me better. First of all: My name is Isabel and I am in the 10th grade in Germany. I live here with my parents and my brother, who is two years younger than me, in a house. We don't have any pets, but I love my grandparents' cat. My school is a grammar school, which I will finish with the German Abitur in year 12. It takes me 20 minutes by bike and bus to go to school. I have lessons from 8 am to 3 pm and my favorite subjects are sports, chemistry and art. My school also organizes student exchanges and we hosted a Japanese girl at our home for a week in the summer of 2024. After school, I do homework and study for tests and in the evening I read a book or watch series. I like doing sports and go to an athletics club two times a week. It's very exhausting, but I have a lot of fun and we also take part in competitions. I would also like to try out a new sport with you in the USA. In the past I also played beach volleyball. But today I only play it on vacation, for example on the beach with my family. We love it! Do you do that too? I like spending time with my family. At the weekend, we go sometimes for a walk in the nature around a lake, play board games or watch a movie. I also have to help a little with the household and in the garden. I have two grandmas and two grandpas who I sometimes visit at the weekends and with whom I also go on vacation. I also enjoy spending time with my 7-year-old cousin. On summer vacation, my family either goes hiking in Austria or we go to the sea. In winter, we go to the mountains once a year. My brother and I have been skiing since we were 3 years old. My dad snowboards and my mom skis too. Winter vacation is always a great time for all of us, because we usually don't have snow here. Last year, my best friend and I went to Hungary with a youth travel organization. We met some great new friends. We were swimming, water skiing and go-karting. In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends. We hang out at home, listen to music, be creative or go shopping in the city. Sometimes we sleep over at the weekend. I like to try out new delicious restaurants with my friends and family. I'm already looking forward to trying the food in the USA! At home I like cooking and baking. I would be happy to bake with you during my exchange year or show you some German food. I love baking cakes for birthdays or for public holidays here in Germany. I am very excited to get to know your public holidays. I am very happy that I will soon have the chance to live with you for a year and see your everyday life, culture and language. I think that living in the USA will be a great experience for me and that it will have a big impact on my life and personality. I am looking forward to getting to know the country and the people. I have heard that the school system is different from ours. Of course, I also want to improve my English and learn to speak it fluently. I hope to become a part of your family and live with you like a daughter. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and I am looking forward to meet you soon! Best regards, Isabel