Exchange student shares experiences in America
By Valjeta Kosumi
(Valjeta Kosumi is an exchange student from Kosovo at Centre High School. She will be sharing her experiences with the readers of Marion County Record throughout the remainder of the school year.)
"I am going to America!"
I still could not believe it. I was one of eight students chosen for one academic year living in the USA!
Even though the war finished four years ago in my country, there is still an unstable environment. The war has affected many things, including education.
The best incentive for a better education has been the exchange programs. Last November, I was visiting with one of my friends who had been in the USA as an exchange student for one year, and I was informed in detail about that specific program.
About two months later my family presented an application to me. My family and friends encouraged me to participate.
After passing a test and interview, I waited to find out if I would be accepted. Once I was accepted, I waited another 2 1/2 months to find out who my host family would be.
For the next four months I had to make preparations like getting my two visas, a passport, school documents, medical physicals, and saying goodbye to friends and family.
The past few months have been the hardest I have ever experienced. Many times I wanted to quit, but I was determined to achieve my goals.
From the time I entered the Budapest airport, went through four different airports, customs, lost baggage, a missed and delayed flight, and a two hour drive home, I had been traveling for 30 hours.
Welcome to the real world, baby!
I have been in the USA for two months now. My experience has been positive and I'm fascinated learning new things, meeting new people, and visiting different places. I have tasted a variety of new foods (Mexican, Chinese, and some traditional American food).
The school I attend is smaller than my school in Prishtina, but I've had more opportunities to work on the things I enjoy doing. I've met new students and have a good relationship with everyone.
I feel lucky to be participating in a one-year exchange program. My host parents, Peggy and Marcus Carlson, are hosting their fifth exchange student. Peggy explained this was their way of seeing the world from their home.
"Culturally, we learn more by hosting than if we were to visit for a while in another country," Marcus said.
They said they fall in love with each student and have had wonderful experiences with each of them.
Exchange students change a lot during their time in the USA. The new environment has a great influence on their personality. They are exposed to new experiences and new ideas.
Sometimes they even have problems adjusting when they go back to their countries. Typically, their friends and family find it difficult to understand them because they haven't been through those experiences.
I'm changing every day and I think this experience is helping me to be more mature, more independent, and see things from a different point of view.
There are many (foreign exchange) students who come back to study and live in the USA. On the other hand, many students return to their countries and work hard to change their society for the better.
The environment and the people here are having a great influence on me. I think my decision is to go back to my country and work for a better society.
