Some of last year’s AYA students took the time to write letters to the upcoming class of high school exchange students, which we will continue to share as summer break comes to a close and classes begin in high schools across America. Several of our alumni wrote about their reflections, advice and best wishes to help this year’s group as they begin their adventures in America, to get the best start on making the most of this unique exchange experience.
The messages in these letters are valuable—to all participants in Academic Year in America programs. Host families and Local Coordinators can read these letters to understand the student’s perspective, and they can share these letters with upcoming students to help them get prepared.
Today’s letter is from Thom from France. Thom spent his high school exchange living with a host family in Washington.
Hi upcoming AYA student!
Getting ready to leave? Are you excited? Well here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the best of your American experience:
- You are going to get a lot of attention from American people, and they are going to ask you a lot of questions (mostly always the same). It might get a little bit old, but they are just really, really interested by foreign countries. Most of the time they don’t know anything about life in other countries, so you might get some questions that are going to sound a little bit stupid (like “Do you have refrigerators in your country?”). Just be nice and answer. It is a great way to socialize.
- Get involved at school (sports, leadership, etc.). It is really a huge part of the high school experience. Don’t be afraid of trying out for new sports you’ve never practice before. It is also a great way to meet new people, outside of the classroom. In fact, my best friends from this year mostly are from the track team.
- Take every opportunity you have to participate in the school events. There is a lot of theatre plays, dances, sport tournaments, clubs, football games, etc. which is really great, and it usually is very interesting.
- Finally, don’t forget that you will only be there once in your life, so don’t waste your time, and never hesitate to try new things. You will not regret it.
Alright, that’s about it, I hope you have an amazing year, and remember: ENJOY!!
Best wishes,
Thom
Learn more about opportunities for cultural exchange with Academic Year in America.
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