Photo: Hiba posing with friends at an international festival.

By Hiba Kondah, YES 2016-2017, Morocco, hosted by AFS in Leawood, KS

It's been two months already. For two months I've been in the United States living this life-changing experience to the fullest. These two months have made me realize that little things can have a huge impact and they can lead to big things. 

I remember my alumni instructor at orientation telling us that, this year, we can be whatever we want to be, and he was right. Starting from that day, I decided that I wanted to be more than a simple exchange student; I wanted to be a cultural ambassador. I left Morocco to become Morocco.

Since my arrival in the United States, I have volunteered at the children's area during a festival, prepared food for bikers during a race, volunteered at a retirement house and a hospital, and tutored some students at school. I joined several clubs and was even able to join the Student Council of my school, which made me the first exchange student to join it.

I also got to celebrate Eid with my host sister and teach her about my culture. That day, she got to try Moroccan food, put Henna on and dance to Moroccan music. I cooked Moroccan food for my host family, and I continue to tell my friends every chance I get. 

My placement organization helped me meet students from all over the world. Who thought that one day I would have friends from five different continents? 

These two months have been the best months of my life. I can't even remember the shy person I used to be. The days I have spent here so far helped me learn how to take direction and responsibility, how to be open-minded and try new things, and how to help people. Last but not least, it has helped me know what diversity truly means. It doesn't matter where you come from, it doesn't matter what your religion is or what language you speak, because, in the end, we all live on the same planet, which makes us citizens of the world.

Time flies! I still have 8 months left and I'm sure that I will learn so much more by the end of my exchange year. This is just the beginning of something great.