Jun 16 / My dream came true

by Farimma Maharuddin, Malaysia ‘08
hosted in Hagerstown, MD

“Improving my English” ... that was my expectation. Before i came to the United States, i didn’t really know about the United States and what it looked like; i thought that the United States is a country for “white people.” I knew a little bit about the United States from television and media. When i watched a movie or anything about the United States, i told my parents that “i will come to UNITED STATES one day”, but now my dream came true!

I’m so happy with my life in the US and i have a nice host family, a lot of friends and everything. I want to say thank you to AFS Malaysia because they gave me a chance to come to the United States, and thank you to AFS America because they welcomed me and all the exchange students. I also want to say thanks a lot to PAX and YES Program because they sponsored me when i’m here. I’m so lucky because i can join this program and come to United States.

When we first arrived in the US, i was so sad because I was still homesick and having trouble adapting myself to the new environment, weather, everything. But now i can adapt to new environments and new people.

After we finished orientation, I was so excited to meet my host family, but at the same time so scared that my host family will not welcome me to their family and life. But I was wrong, that was just my imagination! Actually my host family was so very nice, kind, caring and lovely. They welcomed me to their family and they said that i was a part of the family!!! I’m so close with my host family, especially my host brother. sometimes we go to the mall together and have a lot of fun!!!

After several days in the US, I was still home sick.. but so excited to see my school and meet my friends. My school is a Christian private school with 78 students. The first time at the school, I was afraid to meet people, scared that they would not want to be friends and not understand what i’m talking about. But actually they all were so friendly, nice, kind and caring about each other. They all welcomed me at the school and helped me if i needed help. I have a lot of sweet memories with all my friends. My school has a lot of activities such as Food festival, Meet the Press Night, Trip to Hershey Park and everything, i had a lot of fun with my friends and my teachers!!

Now i just have 1 week and a half left in the United States. It’s really 2 sad to leave people that i love, especially my host family and friends. I will never forget them. They all helped me when i’m here and I appreciate them so much. But the sad thing is i will be leaving soon and they all make me cry when we all hang out together.

I had a lot of experiences here in America and i will never, ever and forever forget my host family and friends with our sweet memories, funny stories and everything!!! I WILL MISS ALL MY FRIENDS AND MY HOST FAMILY…!:(