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Aliah
Philippines
Female, Age 16
Interests and Family
Primary Interests: Volleyball, animals, student newspaper, science club, Red Cross volunteering, drama/theater, Arabic
Secondary Interests: Swimming, watching TV, family activities, popular music, One Direction, math club, science, literature, piano
Sports: Volleyball, biking, kickball
Musical Instruments: Guitar, xylophone, ukulele
Future Plans: Medical doctor & owner of hospital
Student Lives With: Parents and younger sister
Occupation of parents: Not specified
English Ability and Academic Standing
Years of English:
12
Other Languages: Tagalog, Arabic, Visayan, Tausug, Sama, and Maranao
Grade Level:
11th
Grade Average: B
Medical / Dietary / Other
Allergies: Shellfish (crustaceans & mollusks)
Dietary Restrictions: No shellfish, pork, or pork-related products
Ability to live with pets: Yes
Other Remarks: None
Student Short Essays
What is Your Favorite Activity, and Why?
My favorite activity is playing volleyball because by playing it, we can build team work, unity. And I really enjoy playing it with my
friends every time we have free time or every PE. This game promotes sportsmanship. I also like writing for the school newspapers
because it improves my ability to write and speak in English, and it gives me the freedom to speak out my ideas.
Describe How You Spend Your Free Time.
During my free time at home, I watch movies with my sister, play games with her or talk about random things with her. I enjoy doing
it because it gives us the time to bond and to be closer with each other. I also like to read novels during my free time and surfing the
net. If ever I will pass the program and go to America, I would like to join the volleyball team, try swimming class or cycling because I
enjoy playing these sports.
I would also like to learn how to play the piano, and other musical instruments. I also love to join the cooking class if possible because
I would like to experience cooking American dishes and at the same time, cooking for them (my host family) and let them experience
the taste of our native food.
Take a moment to read the letter written by
Aliah to her new host family!
Dear American Family, my name is Aliah. I am 15 years old [16 in February]. I am the eldest child of
my parents. I have a little sister and I call her “baby love.” She is 14 years old, and she calls me “ate
love.” “Ate” means “big/elder sister”. I am very closed with my sister and parents. Every weekends, if
ever my Mom would have extra time, she would cook extra special food for us aside from our typical
meal. I love the food that she cooks, especially the pasta. Me and my family watch TV together
whenever we have free time. The funny thing about my parents is that my mother knows how to drive a
motorcycle and goes to office everyday by riding in it, but my father does not. The thing that I am
proud to say about my family is that they are very loving and supportive, that even if we are not that
rich, they can still manage to provide my wants and needs. My favorite thing that we do together is lying
on the bed, the four of us, while eating some snacks and telling stories to each other. It is because to
me, it is very special because not all people can do it with their family.
I don’t have much responsibilities at home. The only thing that is required for me to do at home is
keeping my room clean and fix my clothes. I sweep the floor if I have to and me and my sister usually
help our mother to prepare the table for our meal.
My favorite animal is cat. We have 5 cats in our house. I once had 2 hamsters, and had 3 mice, 2 rabbits,
and 2 guinea pigs. I don’t like chickens because I was attacked by one before. My favorite subjects are
Filipino, chemistry, biology, Arabic and literature, which I believe I have good grades at. I am not really
a fan of mathematics because for me, it is the hardest subject to understand, but I can still manage to
pass. I love to swim in the sea or pool but I am not a good swimmer. My favorite song is “Little
Things” by One Direction. My idols are Niall Horan, Ashton Irwin and Riley McDonough. I can play
the guitar and xylophone and a little in ukulele. I also play sports like volleyball and kickball.
I have lots of friends in my school. There are only 126 students in our school because all of the
students are scholars. I have two groups of best friends. The “Ten colors,” we are ten in the group, 2
boys and 8 girls. And “The Three Big Bellies” obviously we are three in the group, all girls. We have
monthly allowance from our school because we are academic scholars. So every time our allowance will
be released, we go to our town’s “mini mall” and buy some food and things that we like. Me and my
friends love to sing together even though we are not good singers.
I live in a small town in the southern part of the Philippines. Most of the people from the Northern
part of the country think that it is not safe and peaceful here in our place. But I must tell you that even
though we don’t have malls here, no expensive restaurants, no bus, no cinema, just a small island in the
map, I am proud to say that I come from here, because to me, this is the best place I’ve ever lived at.
The best part of our province is the beaches. We are also rich in aquatic resources. We have white fine
sand beaches in here. Different kids of fishes can be found here in our place. The hill here is popular to
the tourists. On top of it, standing we can see the beautiful scenery of the place, the open sea, and the
neighboring islands. We also have the island full of turtles.
Before I forget, I can speak 4 dialects and 3 languages. I can speak Visayan, Tausug, Sama, and
Maranao. I speak Tagalog and English at home, and I can also speak Arabic language. After high
school, I would like to take up BS Med. Tech or BS Nursing in college, and hopefully proceed to
Medicine. Since childhood I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. And in God’s will, after that, I would like
to help people in need, give my parents a house, and travel the world with them.