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A Postcard from Indianapolis

Toni Bevanda Program Postcard

By Toni Bevanda, YES 2016-2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted by YFU in Indianapolis, IN.

My name is Toni; I am from Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I am placed in Indianapolis, Indiana. My 9 months on the YES program have been a real roller coaster, because during this period, I have had to adjust to a new culture and country, but then also start thinking about what it’s going to be like to leave this new life I have built.

Thanks to the YES program, I have realized that everything is possible, and that you can overcome almost every obstacle life puts in front of you. This year has affected me so much and has changed my mindset entirely. I feel like my brain and the way I think have improved and reached a level I never thought were possible for me.

I came to the U.S. to expand my cultural views and represent my country the best I can, and in return, I have learned a bunch of things that have helped me determine my future life path. Living in a completely different environment with a new family helped me realize that there are different people, different cultures, and different ways of solving problems and doing things. The YES program connected me to both American and Mexican cultures, since I have been living with a host mother who is from Mexico. I am so grateful to this program, and to everyone I have met during this year. My new friends and family have shown me what support means, and that they are the ones who will always help me if I am feeling homesick.

I did not document every moment through photos, because I think photos are a way to show off to others. I came here to experience things, to live in the moment and to experience everything to the fullest. It’s too hard to choose what made this year unforgettable. From helping kids with disabilities in their theater performance, to helping my teachers tutor students, to becoming a captain of a Varsity volleyball team and being a part of an amazing host family and theater family. I am a part of an amazing program that gave me so many chances to explore aspects of myself and learn about life. Something that I am always going to remember is International Education Week, when I saw how many students are interested in my country, a country 90% of them had never heard of before.

I certainly know I will never, and I really mean never, forget this year of my life. This is the year that laid out for me a plethora of future paths. Travelling at age 17 and filling my schedule with volunteering and helping others is something that has helped make me feel fulfilled. Volunteering has showed me how grateful I have to be for everything I have, and I am proud to say that I have reached my goal of volunteering for 100 hours while on program.

Now, as this year is slowly coming to an end, I am trying to remember everything I have experienced, yet it is impossible to remember all of it. I urge everyone to at least try and apply for the program because you have nothing to lose. By applying for the program, you can enrich every segment of your life. It’s a unique experience and something you will never regret doing.


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