The following story was posted on the World Learning blog on November 29, 2016. Two of the YES students, placed with World Learning, Meriam from Tunisia (photo above) and Shali from Indonesia, were recently invited as guests on Voice of America to talk about their international exchange experience. You can learn more about this unique opportunity by listening to the show online and by reading Meriam’s reflections below.

A Tunisian YES student on a live radio show!

I’ve said before that the YES program impressed me since the first step, since the DC orientation, and here I am again to tell you that this program can’t stop impressing me…it just keeps surprising me!

In October, I had the opportunity to be on a live radio show with Voice of America (VOA) to talk about the YES program and my life as an exchange student. It was my first time talking on the radio. I never knew how awesome it’s to be on a live radio show until I tried it.

When I first got into the filming studio, I couldn’t believe thousands of people will be listening to me and watching me on live on the radio show Facebook page, in just few minutes. I was as excited as afraid. I had to represent the YES students in the best way I can. I had to prove why exchange students are the most wonderful people.

What makes them special? And how does it look alike to be on an exchange program?

And guess what? The interview was awesome! I took part in the show and answered some listeners’ questions about Tunisia, about my culture and my daily life as a Tunisian teenager.

Do you think that’s all? Oh well, it’s not. The fun part starts here. We put on some Tunisian traditional music during the show and danced to one of the most wonderful Tunisian songs. That was crazy.

Now, whenever I watch again the video show, I just feel amazed! How did I do that knowing that people all around the world are watching me? Why wasn’t I shy as I used to be? Why didn’t I get nervous? … It’s because I’m an awesome Tunisian exchange student who’s getting out of her comfort zone and jumping into the real world, the real life.

As the applications for the YES program are already open in many countries, I just wanted to say something to all of those who are thinking about applying: don’t think about it twice, just go for it! I’m not saying you’re going to live that American dream you see on movies or that you’ll be happy every single day. You’ll have bad days, you’ll cry, you’ll miss that one person you didn’t like before. But, you’ll love it!

You’ll wish you can be on exchange for the rest of your life. You’ll discover how powerful you are and that every step you make matters!