By Mohamed Shali, YES 2014-2015, Kenya

Mohamed submitted the following thank you letter to the McKinleyville Press before departing his host community:

My name is Mohamed Shali, I’m a YES foreign exchange student from Kenya sponsored by the U.S Department of State under the Bureau of Educational and Cultural affairs. AFS, YES and the U.S. Department of State are essential ingredients of my fabulous year, especially the Northwest California area team. This team is full of big-hearted and amazing people who voluntarily dedicate some of their time to work with exchange students in doing activities like community service. Are there any limits to your generosity?  It would be my pleasure to thank all members of the NW CA Area Team for their dedication and service to all of us.

I am hosted by the Tidwells, a very loving family that I am now a member of. This family opened their hearts and home to me; I don't have enough words summed up together to thank them. Through living with them, I've learnt so many important aspects of life. No words can express, no act of gratitude can relay, no gift can represent what your love and support have meant to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Attending high school here in the U.S has been one of the greatest parts of my exchange experience. I've been attending McKinleyville High School throughout the school year. McKinleyville is a wonderful learning institution. I've never had a complaint regarding anything. It is such a great privilege to be part of this amazing school, where both the teachers and students are very friendly. You do a great job, keep it up! In general I enjoy going to school and part of the reason is because I feel pretty comfortable there. I would like to thank the McKinleyville High community for having a great positive impact on my exchange year, thank you for giving me such a wonderful experience.

I also joined a gospel choir, the one and only Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir. This is an amazing, loving, caring, friendly and supportive group. I have made friends that I'll keep forever, it is also where I discovered my singing capabilities. I don't have enough words to thank this lovely family; thank you so much to AIGC for giving me so much and being part of my amazing experience.

Humboldt county: The Nature..it’s an eye-opening, mind blowing, blissful and wondrous community. I love Humboldt's nature, like the Redwoods, and the people are very friendly and nice. One thing that mesmerized me is that even people I don't know personally would wave at me. I find Humboldt residents to be very social and easy to get along with. Throughout my stay here I have learnt so many things, my opinions on many issues are now based on broad concepts, unlike before. I have had a really wonderful experience, thumbs up to Humboldt County. How can I thank you enough for all you've done for me? Thank you so much for showering me with love and a great experience!!!

Top photo: Mohamed and his host family, The Tidwells, enjoying a baseball game. Bottom photo: Mohamed and host family saying goodbye at the airport.