We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our outstanding exchange students who has truly embodied the spirit of learning, growth, and cultural exchange. Meet Kelana, who is originally from Indonesia. Kelana is a YES Program student who has embraced new experiences, fostered cross-cultural connections, and left a lasting impact on his host family and community in Oregon.
Learn more about Kelana and his experience as a high school exchange student from Indonesia in Oregon this year.
Why did you want to do an exchange year in the United States?
“Traveling and exploring has always been my passion. My name, Kelana, means ‘to wander’ in the Indonesian language. I’ve always loved going to new places, seeing new things, and meeting new people. So when I got the chance to sign up for an exchange program it was a no brainer. I wanted to explore the world and see new cultures. I wanted to live among people that have a completely different background than I do.”
Tell us about your host family and why you appreciate them.
“I live with a host dad, host mom, a double placement from Kenya, and 11 dogs. My host mom, Tressa, is the best. She’s been hosting for a very long time, but despite that, she is still very passionate about hosting. I believe we as a family have a good understanding of each other’s needs and limits. She also brings us to cool places around Oregon and introduce us to new American culture. After being deferred from last year because I couldn’t find a host family, I am very grateful for my host family.”
What have you learned about American culture and how have you shared your culture with Americans?
“One thing that I like the most about American culture is how verbal people are. I love the fact that strangers would ask you ‘how are you?’ or ‘how’s your day?’ I feel like Americans, at least the ones in my community, are very friendly and welcoming. Most of them are very talkative, and it has encouraged me as an introvert to talk to people and socialize.
I’ve shared my culture with Americans through a bunch of ways. I’ve done many presentations to schools, community centers, and clubs about my country. But other than that I also have a lot of conversations with my friends about Indonesia and its culture. I’ve taught them my language, my customs, and music!”
Did you know you can host an exchange student like Kelana from Indonesia?
Host families from across the United States come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you’d like to host for a full school year, a semester, or just for a few weeks as Welcome Family, you can make an impact on an exchange student’s life by hosting!
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