Dear host family, My name is Suzanne, I'm seventeen and I am french. I'm very happy and thankful at the idea of staying in your country and your family for this incredible experience during a year. I would like to be bilingual and if I become bilingual thanks to you, I would be delighted. Meeting new persons without knowing nobody, like a new start, is an idea which stimulates me. Meeting persons coming from other culture, and learning to understand the american world in the country and not from France is a challenge. Spending time in your family, day to day, immersing myself in your language, your rules, your values is an incredible opportunity. I've chosen to participate at this immersion program in the States because I'm fascinated by the diversity of your country. I know that each state has got its identity. It is a a good idea that it isn't me that is going to choose the family but you. There is a part of luck in this experience. I'm looking forward to know more about your hobbies and the place where you live. The fact that you are volunteer is very important for me because it shows your generosity. I'm going to introduce you my family so that you can understand where I come from. We are five, my mother Claire, my father Philippe who are french teachers. My father does ceramic that he sells on the market. He is very manual. My parents are good cookers because my grand mothers were themselves good cookers. I've got a brother 22 years old, he is good in mathematics and he helps me when I don't understand my maths and he motivates me. I admire his sens of organisation, his determination and I try to follow his example. My sister, Elise, 19 years old, studies fine art and plays the organ. Our relations were not always simple but we are very close : she is very helpful at home and generous. I know that I can count on her. Since my brother and my sister left the house for their studies, I live alone with my parents and it was a change. We have more time to discuss together, and sometimes we disagree like in every family. Now let's talk about my studies and hobbies. I have always been good at school. I like maths and since this year history. I was good in physics but it is more difficult this year and I have got to make progress. I like the fact that pupils in my class are very close to each other. Sport is very important for me. I like gymnastic, football and rugby. Rugby is important in my city and we have a good ranking. I like this sport because it is a team sport with physical contact and speed. I've done gymnastic when I was young because I love doing balance exercice and I had to master my body. I like physical effort, the feeling of satisfaction after a training and the links in the team and in the club. At home I like to play board games and I do some cooking. I did a training in a gastronomic restaurant in the south of France for a week. I do simple cooking like pasta or I can try asiatic cooking. I like to hear the family's comment when they taste it. It would be a way to introduce you to french culture by cooking for your family some typical french dishes like «gratin dauphinois», «quiche lorraine», «tartiflette», «crêpes et galettes». I would describe myself as curious about people and the world around me. I'm sociable and I like to be with my friends to chat. When I'll arrive in your family I hope that I'll be able to share my energy and my good mood. I know that I will have to respect your rules and that I'll have to help at home. I'm open to experience such as practicing a sport with you, attending a match, visiting your family and friends, watching a film together... So I want to thank you for welcoming me and it's because there are families like yours, generous and open minded, that a youngster like me can make it happen. Thank you for your benevolence and I will make the best to live up the challenge and share precious moments with you. Suzanne