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Going Back in Time: Visiting My Host Community Six Years Later

Mariyam Bio Pic

By Mariyam Mohammed Suleman (YES 2011-2012, Pakistan, hosted by AYUSA in Coquille, OR)

Six years after I finished my YES exchange year, I saw the lush green lands of Oregon again from the window of the plane. I could hardly believe that I was actually there again and that it wasn’t a dream. I was so excited to revisit the place I hold so close to my heart and adore like a second home.  

In 2011, I arrived in Coquille, Oregon as a YES exchange student, at the time feeling somewhat confident and excited, but also very confused. I arrived knowing nothing except the names of my host family members and my local coordinator. I had never even seen their photos.

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Mariyam outside the Capitol Building at the 2018 Civic Education Workshop

A lot has changed in the past six years. I have grown into a young woman with many professional and academic responsibilities. What has not changed, however, is my connection to the YES community. This is what brought me back to my host state to see loved ones who have been so far away yet so close to my heart. This opportunity to return came through my participation as an alumna mentor for the 2018 Civic Education Workshop.

I was happy to return, but one thing that made me a little sad is the fact that my host family has since moved to Africa, so I did not get to see them on this trip. However, I know that they are in Africa for a worthy cause. My host parents are doctors, and they value serving people in less privileged parts of the world.

 Although my host family was not there, I was welcomed back by many friends, teachers, and community members. I arrived to Portland on March 5th, and my local coordinator, Joan, was there to welcome me at the airport, waving a big welcome poster. I had déjà vu of my exchange year arrival! We talked all the way home, catching up on all that has happened. During the next few days, we visited many places, watched movies, and cooked cultural dishes. 

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Mariyam with her second host family, the Pinkstins

After staying few days in Portland with Joan, I visited my host community of Coquille, staying with the Pinkstins, who were like my second host family during my exchange year. They have hosted many exchange students and always love to have exchange students at their home, so I often stayed with them during my exchange year.

 During my stay in Coquille, I visited my host school and gave five presentations about Pakistan. Apart from the students’ curiosity about cultural, religious, and social life, many of the girls were interested to know about lives of young girls and women in Pakistan. Many had already heard of Malala, and this made them interested in knowing if education for all was still a cause of debate back home. 

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Mariyam presenting about Pakistan at her former host school

Having the opportunity to return and visit the people who made a great impact in my life was like a dream. Going back in time is not always a possibility, but YES made it possible for me. I’m grateful to be a part of this great community that has not only changed my life, but has blessed me with so many loving people from different parts of the world who continue to support me in my efforts to make a difference in my home community. 


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