Jun 11 / Goodbye America, I'll See You Soon

by Mohammad Heydar Hosseini, Philippines 07-08
hosted in Minnesota

Dear Buffalo, Minnesota:

Now that I am about to return to my hometown of Zamboanga City, Philippines to rejoin my Filipino classmates, I have nothing but fond memories after my 11 months stay here in Minnesota, USA as an AFS/YES exchange student.

My stay here in the US was brief, to say the least, but I have come to realize, with the rest of my co-scholars, that we were invited here for a visit and to build bridges of understanding and we are returning to continue that effort and bringing home knowledge of working with people of different customs, cultures and beliefs.

My parents, brothers, grandparents and all my relatives are all one with me in extending my heartfelt “Thank You” to my hostfamilies; Dwight and Katherine Raatz and Michael and Barbara Demmer, their children, relatives, friends and neighbors from Minnesota, USA; my teachers, classmates, coaches and friends from Buffalo Senior High School who all extended their help and support to me. They all deserve my everlasting “Thank You!”

The Demmer family has shown me good examples of how to become an honest person without reservations, and everyone I lived with and met during my stay has definitely influenced my young life for the future. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the love, kindness and understanding my host family have shown to me; traits that will definitely make me a better person, better friend and better individual.

Now I honestly believe that I owe to YES what the future will give me. And I will personally help build such an understanding in my future life that will help strengthen bridges between nations around the globe.

As a pre-departure statement, I would like to say that the program has made me a positive thinker. Whatever trials and obstacles will come my way, I can say that if I emerge as a better thinker than I am always a winner and never a loser. This experience has been irreplaceable.

Again to my host family, friends, teachers and neighbors from this beautiful state: Maraming Salamat sa inyong lahat at magkita-kita tayong muli! God bless America! God bless the Philippines!