Here’s a great example of how an open mind and willingness to explore life outside of your comfort zone can yield wonderful results to overcome culture shock and make real connections with people that seem so different on the surface. The following submission from Daniel, a YES student from Jordan, shares his reflections on moving from city life to living in small town America. Daniel made very meaningful connections and expanded his perspective by looking beyond the superficial to get to know his host community of Payette, Idaho.
Here is Daniel’s story, in his own words:
It all started August 14th of 2015. The first thing I thought was, “Oh crap! Payette is a very small town, and I won’t be able to live in it for a whole year.” It seemed impossible for me, a teenage boy who lived 16 years in a big city within a different culture, to adapt to this small town that barely has a few restaurants and 1 coffee shop, without any friends to lean on.
Everyone was very welcoming. My Local Coordinator, host family and the students in my school were really friendly and got me attached to them and to this tiny town somehow. Life has a different but a great spice during this one year of my life.
Now that I have 6 days to leave Payette, I know that I am connected to my friends and to my host family here, and they make leaving difficult. Payette is a part of me, and I am totally in love with this tiny cheerful town, including the people that live in it, no matter how hard it’s been at some points. Beside all the jokes that I got about camels (ha-ha), I loved it, and I will always remember how life tastes here.
AYA/AIFS doesn’t have as much students as some other placement organizations, but it is definitely the most caring one of what I heard from my other exchange friends and what I experienced, so thank you.
God bless America and its generous people.
Academic Year in America is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization working to provide opportunities for cultural exchange and global learning. Hosting a student is a great way to enrich your family and community while giving an international student the opportunity of a lifetime. We placed Daniel, a YES student, as part of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program of the U.S. Department of State.
If you are interested in learning about how to become a host family for a deserving student like Daniel, please contact AYA to schedule a consultation and learn more about our opportunities to host, including programs sponsored by the U.S Department of State.
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