Prom Across America: Exchange Students Reflect on Experience

It’s prom season! This high school tradition is a fun time of celebration for students across the country. Attending prom is a very special opportunity for AYA students. It’s an exciting time with friends and classmates, but it’s also a great cultural experience. Although it’s a popular rite of passage for American students, going to the prom may be something entirely new for our international students.

Check out these fantastic pictures and stories from Prom 2017:

Meriem from Morocco cleverly invited her friend Joel to their prom in Ohio. According to Meriem’s host dad:

Meriem attended the play that Joel was starring in with friends. Joel’s parents were also in attendance, which made Meriem very nervous about her planned “promposal.” At the conclusion of the play, she ran back to her friend’s car, then came in to greet Joel with the sign. Everyone was excited that this promposal made it official that Joel and Meriem would attend prom together.

Moritz from Germany enjoyed a beautiful prom season in Oklahoma:

Hoor from Pakistan shared memories of her Las Vegas-themed prom in Arizona:

It was my first time to go to prom, because we don’t have proms in Pakistan. I had an amazing time with all the friends. We had a bunch of fun together. I enjoyed the most out of my first and last prom. I really want to have prom in my country​ too.

Prom in Illinois was full of excitement:

Anna from Germany had a special invite to prom in Kansas:

My date Nick asked me to prom on my birthday. He asked me in the middle of the school mall, with 4 big posters in my favorite colors, pink and black, with 4 different people holding them, and they said: Anna, do you want to go to Prom with me in German!!!

Karyna from Ukraine had a great time at prom in Ohio:

Prom was so much fun. Everyone has to get this experience! I enjoyed it!

 

 

Local Coordinator Kelly shared some beautiful pictures of several high school exchange students—all dressed to impress in Kansas. Check out Tomass from Latvia, Lynn from China, Felix from Germany, Sweta from India, Giorgia from Italy, Alice from Sierra Leone, Moritz from Austria, Milena from Brazil, Vishikan from Malaysia and Ella from Germany:

Sweta (second from left, above), pictured here with Alice, Milena, Ella and Giorgia, shared the following about their special prom night in Kansas:

So on April 22nd, we had our Rossville High School prom. As an exchange student from India, it was my first and last prom; as we don’t have it in India. It was so much fun and enjoyment. And the after-prom party was a big log added to the fire of awesomeness. It was a fantabulous experience where a photo of me and my friends was published the next day in the Topeka Capital Journal newspaper.

Local Coordinator Melissa was happy to share her AYA students looking lovely as they posed for photos before prom in North Carolina:

Lara, another AYA student from Germany, looked like she was having a great time making memories in a pre-prom photo session with friends in Idaho:

Sofie from Norway accepted a sweet invitation to her high school prom in Pennsylvania:

Maria from Spain shared these great pictures from her prom in Wisconsin:

It looks like everyone had such fun celebrating prom this year! Thanks to our students and Local Coordinators for sharing so many wonderful photos, and please continue to enjoy a safe and healthy prom season across the country.

Learn more about opportunities for cultural exchange with Academic Year in America.