Alumnus Kareem Yasser, YES Qatar 2012-2013 (center) with U.S. host family

By Kareem Yasser, YES Qatar 2012-2013

As a Kennedy-Lugar YES scholarship recipient,  I was placed in Boardman, Ohio during the year 2012-2013. I had an amazing experience with my host family. They took me to places I've always wanted to visit. They basically moved from being "host family" to being "family."

When I returned to Doha, Qatar, I really wanted them to visit Qatar and see what it was like. I also wanted them to meet my natural family. My natural family really wanted to meet them as well, because they were so thankful for the experience. So, I hosted my American Dad, Bruce Beard, my American mom, Phyllis Beard, My American sister, Elizabeth Beard, and my American cousin and best friend, Julian Testa, from February 9th-14th. 

They stayed at my house, and it was just an amazing experience! The best thing about it was that my natural family and American family got along so well; it was as if they had known each other for years. We became life long friends/family. It was also an opportunity to show them the Middle Eastern culture. My friends and relatives met with us every day to welcome my American family. Also, we hosted a barbecue at the house, and invited other YES alumni here in Qatar.

It was an amazing opportunity for them to get to know each other, and as we took them to the airport the last day, everyone was sad at the house because we were saying goodbye to family. However, it's not good bye. It's see you later.