Because I am the exchange student, I get a whole page in the yearbook! This is my yearbookletter: :)
Last week during midterms,
I opened my English exam and looked down at the first line: “ Write something
you are thankful for“ I had to smile. I put my pen on the paper and carefully
wrote, “I am thankful for being here.“ Yes, I am thankful for coming to
America.
It was exactly ten months
ago, a Saturday night in April, when suddenly a crazy idea got planted in my
mind. It kept me awake the whole night and I knew I had just made a choice which
was going to change my life. The next day I went up to my Mum and said to her:
“Mum, so, I’ll turn the application in today, okay?“ She looked at me, frowned
and then responded: “What are you talking about?“
Not even six months later I sat, squashed in a
jet, next to 20 other teenagers, leaving the ground, taking off. It wasn’t just
a flight to America. It was a flight into a new life. We were heading off into
an unknown future. I never left the European country before. All I had in my
head were the perceptions we had of America: waterfountains, the hallways, fast
food, summer camps, smores and bonfires, movie theaters and of course the
yellow schoolbusses! I arrived, looked around and had to say: They are all
true! America is like a movie! Or the
perceptions, that Switzerland technically equals Sweden, I couldn’t believe
that! Yes, I got associated with a lot of different countries: Of course
Swedish, but also German, French and Belgian, but by now you should all know my
nationality: I’m Japanese...
Oh what I also had to get
used to was American Sarcasm! But that went both ways. I ll never forget
someone asking me whether we have cars in Switzerland! I said “No, we ride cows
to school“ Not really though!
It took me a while until I
started to realize the real cultural differents. It was often overwhelming, and
sometimes, it was too much for me. It was not just a change in language, it was
a change in everything. A new family, a new school, new friends, a new culture.
Yes, American culture is different! But one thing I realized, was that Americans
are happy! Whatever happens, Americans always find a reason to smile! There is
this positive attitude towards life in the air, absorbing everyone around!
I started to feel like an
American citizen. I made new friends and
settled down. Sanford gave me a wonderful base for that and I am very thankful
that I was chosen for this school! I left a lot behind in Europe but Sanford
gave me everything I left! In Sanford I found friends. I found a second family.
Sanford, I found a home.
I just want to thank
everyone who gave me this opportunity to do the best thing in my life. This
year is the best year I ever had, over up’s and down’s I learned to value life.
I want to say thank you to my family in Switzerland and my friends there, who
don’t forget me. But especially I want to thank all the people here. I want to
thank my teachers for working with me, especially Mrs. Moesberg, who took care
of me. I want to thank the Sanford community for making me a part of you. I
want to thank the Fallplay-people for taking me into their little family. I
want to thank all the friends I made here, thanks for caring about me! And
especially I want to thank the Hebertons, truely wonderful people. Thank you all
for making this year to the best one I ever had.
:)
