by Alfatira Gema, Indonesia 2016-17, hosted with AFS in Missouri

Experience is an extremely meaningful word. Today, I know that each one of us has had different experiences. We, as exchange students, have had different experiences, each one with interesting stories, some of which are happy, some of which could be sad. This whole time, we can also feel the love for our home countries, mine being Indonesia, and feeling always connected to it even when we’re far away.

I never would’ve imagined that I would be able to stand one day in America. One of my most memorable experiences here in America was when I attended a disabilities workshop in Oregon. There, I met new friends, each of whom had a disability as well. It was the first place, the first time in my life, where I could see and feel the impossible becoming a reality. At this workshop, we all had physical limitations, but we each were given the responsibility to help and encourage one another.

The second day, we were all brought to the forest. I was surprised by the high, massive “flying fox” contraption, which hung from one tree to the next. It was our challenge to ride it, to leave our wheelchairs and harness ourselves into it. Even though it was daunting, I accomplished this feat for the first time ever and it felt amazing to face my fears.

After spending five days at this workshop, I met my host family in Missouri. They are extremely kind and caring, and they always try their best to make me happy. Time keeps running by so fast. Finally going to American school felt like a dream- it still does! It’s crazy to think that I had never imagined that I would be able to roll my wheelchair in a country as large as this, being without my parents, without my friends, without my life back at home…

I left Indonesia in order to gain more knowledge and experience new things. Being away, I’ve realized just how much I love my beautiful country. I cannot express how proud my heart feels when I am asked, “Where are you from?” It’s the best feeling ever to respond, “Indonesia.” Here, I have begun to learn not only to say where I’m from, but who I am. I feel that I have the responsibility to be a good representative for my country and to teach people about its beauty.

To be completely honest, my first week at school here was difficult. People spoke fast, and I didn’t always understand them, or the teachers, in class. After a few days, however, I began to understand more and more, and luckily everyone at my high school is very kind and caring. They don’t ever mind explaining things to me and are always interested in me and my life back at home.

One of my largest fears when I first arrived at school was whether or not I’d be able to find someone to push my wheelchair for me from class to class. I was so wrong. Everyone was extremely benevolent and helpful. Sometimes, they would push me for a long time, and I would ask whether or not they were tired. They would always respond, “Yes, a little bit. But don’t worry about it!” One time, I visited another school with my classmates and after, we decided to stop in at a restaurant. The school bus parked across the street and it was rush hour. What was so amazing was that one by one, each of the cars stopped for us when we crossed the street, knowing that because I was in a wheelchair, it would take us longer.

Once we had crossed the street, there was a huge line of vehicles waiting to go. We all began to laugh and shout, saying “Yes! We stopped the cars!!” That day, I was so grateful to have made these amazing American friends!

At Puxico High, I’ve also joined many clubs, including Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and the Science Club. I also take piano classes on the side.

In November, for International Education Week, I gave a presentation about Indonesia to my friends and teachers at school. I was so nervous, yet excited at the same time! The power point was full of beautiful images, all about “passing peace forward” in the world. Hopefully, this will inspire the hundreds of people that have viewed it!