French Exchange Students in Need of Bay Area Home-Stays this Summer

By Jonathan Draper

What kind of French teenager seeks out an American home-stay as part of his or her summer plans? At American Discovery, an international cultural exchange organization, we have found a few common characteristics in the 25 years we've been bringing teenagers from Europe to the U.S.

These boys and girls are usually highly motivated, good students with a desire to improve the English that they've been studying in school. A command of English is important in many career opportunities.

They are invariably mature and independent. They love traveling and many have visited other countries of Europe. Some have been to the United States
before. All of them are excited to be coming to California for the first time — the location that's dazzled them in so many of the films and TV shows that they love.

These students also tend to believe, and we at American Discovery agree,
that to really experience a country, you have to be more than just a tourist. They as a good way to meet people and develop long lasting friendships. And it's true that hundreds of American families have been invited by and have later traveled to stay with the families of the students they hosted.

So, I invite East Bay families to take the opportunity this summer to
welcome and host a student from France — from August 2nd to August 22nd.

Today I'd like to introduce you to Florian. He's 16 years old and lives in the north of France near Lille. His father is a teacher. His mother is in business. He's concentrating on science in high school. His favorite subject is math. He plays tennis and enjoys bowling and movies with friends. His favorite foods are fruits, pancakes and pasta.

Florian wrote this letter to his prospective American host family:

To my new family home in California,

My name is Florian, I am 16 years old and live in the north of the France next to Lille. I have got one brother who is 13 years old and one dog.

This year I am studying in a scientific class and my favorite subject is mathematics. I like sports and I play tennis once a week to have fun after school.

When it rains I enjoy playing video games or surfing on the net.
Over the week-end I love going out with my friends to a bowling or to the cinema.

I prefer action movies or cop movies than romantic movies (it is
boring). I like electro music like David Guetta. I think of myself as
serious, punctual and friendly. I also mean that I go to bed early and I wake up early too.

I hope that my trip to California will allow me to make new friends and share many things with my American family. I also want to live three weeks in California to improve my English because I am not very good in it but I understand the essential. Also, I want to visit California because there is a different culture in America than in France.

It will be a very good experience for me. I wish I will be alone in the family in order to improve my English. I also hope there is an American teenager of my age in the family because I would love to stay in touch and welcome my new American friends in France. I can't wait to meet you!

Best regards

Florian

The following four students from France also need a host family. For more
information or to host, contact Jonathan Draper at 510-300-7022 or
jonathan@AmericanDiscovery.net. If you have questions about what's
involved in hosting, go to AmericanDiscovery.net/hosting.

Vincent - 17 years old. Lives in Lyon in the southeast of France. Studying
math, science, English and Spanish. His Father is a senior account manager
and his mother is a homemaker. Has an older sister and brother: Marie &
Guillaume. Loves mountain biking. Also plays tennis, volley ball and badminton. Goes to movies, plays video games, and listens to pop and rock music with friends. Has traveled to most countries in western Europe. Says, "It has been my dream to go to USA, to visit your country and know your culture and lifestyle."

Gregoire - 15 years old. Lives in a little village near Bordeaux in the south of France. His father, Richard, is a manager. Mother, Fabienna, is a homemaker. Has a younger brother and sister: Armand and Clothilde. Has a dog. Feels his English is good but wants to improve. Says, "I'm a great fan of American TV series. Also I like to cook (more exactly to eat what I cooked) and to read."

Brian - 17 years old. Lives in Orchies, near Lille in the north of France.
His father, Tonio, is a construction worker. Mother, Sabine, is a government official. Has a younger brother, Yohann and a dog, Ness. Favorite foods are meat, potatoes and vegetables. Enjoys sports, music, TV, hiking and going to movies. Plays soccer & ping pong. Says, "I would discover American life and improve my English. Waiting to meet you, please accept my sincere greetings."

Violaine - 15 years old. Lives in Burgundy. Her father is a doctor. Her
mother is a professor. Has three siblings: Severine, Ludovic and Alexis.
Has two cats. Doesn't eat meat, but can make exceptions. Likes to go to
theme parks, play games and shop. Participated in a home-stay with a
family in New York last August. Is looking forward to getting to know a
California family with a child or children her own age, if po