Every day is a new challenge and an unforgettable experience at the same time!
It’s been almost a month since I came to the US for an exchange semester, although it doesn’t really seem like it! The first few days were really strange. It was like waking up every morning to a new, different world you never knew about and looking forward to exploring it.
During my first week, which was sometimes very chaotic, I had to slowly get used to all the different things this country has to offer, trying to compare them with the ones in my country, which was sometimes impossible. And I’m not talking only about big stores with long shelves full of cereals and gallons of milk or ice tea taking most of the space in my host family’s fridge. I am talking about the whole community of people I ended up with, especially the people from church who opened their doors and hearts for me so that I felt welcome the moment I stepped in.
With my host sister, I attend Sunday school in the morning, where I have the chance to spend my time with kind and funny people. With her help, I also got to know some of her friends at school, who are really friendly and I can learn a lot from all of them. Of course, I met a couple of students in my classes I can already call friends. There will be a Club International I am planning to join, so I can’t wait to meet other students there. I am very thrilled to attend my Digital Media class, where I can finally do something I am interested in. I believe this class will help me with choosing my course of a career in the future and I will be able to learn new, interesting things.
And as for my host family, I can say that we’re getting along very well. They are always there to help me and from the beginning, they’ve been trying to make sure I am okay and happy. I will continue building my relationship with them since it’s still only a month we’ve known each other and I hope that after some time, I will be able to put aside all my doubts and fears I am still feeling sometimes about being here.
Recently, I went on a trip with my host family to Mackinac Island, one of the most famous and beautiful places in Michigan. The next day we visited Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula, which was also an amazing experience and then we drove through Sand Dunes near Silver Lake.
I am so thankful for being able to see all of the places here and meet new people. Every day is a new challenge and an unforgettable experience at the same time!
Terezia 🇸🇰
exchange student from Slovakia
living with the Rivera family in Charlotte, Michigan
