By: Anood Al Wekhyan (YES 2009-2010, Jordan, hosted by ISE in Coldwater, MI) 

Eight years ago today I left Jordan to  start my exchange year in Coldwater, Michigan. I had never  thought about leaving my family before. I was so excited that I couldn't imgagine anything negative about the whole experience. 

I was 15, it was my very first time traveling, and I had never been on a  plane before. I didn't know what it would feel like. I didn't  know if I was scared of heights or flying. All I had in mind  was AMERICA!

My YES success story started with meeting other YES students - those strangers became my best friends, my family, and the people I can't imagine my life without. Who would have known I'd be  best friends with someone that's four years younger than I am? Well, that YES alumna in particular has become a big part of my family!

I want to thank YES for creating the person I am today. The word YES itself is enough to give me the positivity I need in my life. When I  say YES I think of the list if things I've accomplished  and the things I'm still working on. YES has completely  changed my life, shaped my personality and made me the  person I am today!

Starting with being an active YES alumna, then I became a YES Jordan Steering Committee Member, the vice president of the Jordan YES Alumni Associatoin, and then finally I escorted new YES students to DC in August 2017!

I could never put in words what YES means to me  and no matter what I do I know I can never fully pay it back. Thank you YES program and YES staff for giving me all those  amazing opportunities, for helping me shine, and for believing in me. Because of you, I'm a better person.