Photo: Leila and a friend take on a Polar-Bear Jump at the Perchville Festival in 2015. Leila describes the experience as, “scary, definitely weird, new, funny and of course freezing, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.” 

By Leila Abudraa, YES 2014-2015, Libya, hosted by AFS in Chesaning, MI

Ten months in America. Life during an exchange year is something very hard to describe. It was a dream that turned into the once-in-a-lifetime chance that I was lucky enough to catch. The experience of studying abroad is a million things combined.

It's a year full of adventures no matter how big or small, from finally figuring out how to make pancakes to driving for hours just to go sightseeing. 

It's a year of everything new, like joining the Drama Club, tasting beef jerky for the first time, going to the prayer services of a different religion, or even sharing your room with an adorable orange fur-ball (cat). 

It's an emotional roller-coaster. You love it, you want to stay there forever, then you're homesick, you're tired, anxious, energetic, then you love it again and don't even remember what life was like before. Finally, you remember you have to leave in a couple days and it starts all over again. 

It's a year about culture, tradition and comfort zones. There were times I knew I was way out of my comfort zone. And every time I created a new comfort zone for myself, I knew I had to leave it eventually.

It's also a year that may test you - physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and maybe even spiritually. Don't run away. Make a friend, talk to your host family, let it out.

I am who I am, and I am where I am today because of those ten months abroad. I couldn't be more thankful to those who made it possible. 

Reading about the experience of another person and living it yourself are so different, I can't explain. So why not give it a try? Apply for YES today and live out the experience of a lifetime! 

Leila is currently in her first year of studying Tourism Management at University College of Northern Denmark.