My name is Marie Valzer (in fact, Marie is only my middle name and Aude is my first name, but it is easier for you to pronounce Marie, so I adopted this name). I am 18 since the 18th of July. I was born in the Eastern part of France in Besancon (the town where Victor Hugo was born too). But for almost 16 years I have lived with my family in a small village Villars-sous-Dampjoux which is located in a valley with some hills and a river. So I live with my parents, Luc and Lorette, who are both doctors, my sister, Benedicte (12), my brother, Pierre (8), and my dog, Hugo.

My area is close to Switzerland and Germany. The climate is the climate of Iowa, but it is more temperate; less warm in summer and less cold in winter. It often snows in winter so we can go skiing; Alpine and cross-country skiing. My country is also agricultural: farmers breed cows for the milk to make cheese (Swiss Cheese), and industrial: we have the biggest factory of France (in that factory they build Peugeot cars).

To go over my life, I have been graduated in June. For that I passed an exam, Baccalaureat. My high school was very big. There were 3000 students. My main subjects were economics, history/geography, math, and philosophy. In France, the classes start at 8 AM and end at 5:30 PM, so it is a long journey. At the beginning of high school (which lasts three years) students choose between different groups of subjects that they must keep during the next three years. Next year I will go to College in Lyon (the second biggest city of France) and I think I will study law for 5 years.

When I have free time, I ride horses in a club (the English riding), and go skiing in winter. In France, I think the most popular sport is soccer. And next summer, France organizes the World Cup. It will be a big event. My other past times are reading and going to the theatre with my friends. I like traveling; I have even spent 6 months in Senegal, but I was young so I don't remember many things. I have been in Germany, Switzerland, and I often go to Italy to see my family there. I don't speak Italian, but I will learn this language next year because I love this country (perhaps more than France, but I am half Italian, so...).

One of the reasons I came here is because I enjoy traveling. Here I live in Stanhope. My parents are Rick and Sandy Ubben, and I have 2 brothers, Casey and Tel, and a sister, Corey. I will stay with them until the 15th of June. I hope I will be able to come back to see them often later.

If you have any questions, or if you want to send me a message, my e-maill address is: avalzer@hotmail.com

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