May 08 /
We can be the change in this world

by Hina Saifi, India 07-08
hosted in The Dalles, OR

YES, we are different, it is ok if i don’t like to do the things you do, but here are the things to think through—you are a lot like me and I am a lot like you.

We all have some dreams in our life and we all live to fulfill those dreams. I also have one dream. I dream to see this world as one, no discrimination based on color, caste or religion. I dream that we all see the beauty of each others soul. The threshhold of this world’s future is in our hands.

Peace is an act of courage and you all have taken your first step forward by being involved in AFS YES. This year I found so many things in me which I couldn’t find if I weren’t an exchange student. We all live with some kind of stereotypes about different countries. Why don’t we look at the beauty and not the negative things.

After involving myself in YES, I have a different perspective on life. I found a family. They’d never met me and I didn’t have any idea who these people were, I just knew that I was coming to the United States. But I found a lovely family here who love me like they love their own kids. They care for me. When they see that I am missing my family in India, they try to make me smile in any way they can.

Dad is such a sweetheart—I am really scared of cooking so he taught me how to cook macaroni and cheese. Mom makes apple pie for me. And they hug me all day like it is my last day. They call me their princess, a blessing in their house. They say that I am a star of their house. My year is almost at the end but I love my family from the very very very bottom of my heart. And I’m really going to miss them. But now I have a reason to come back and visit; now I can say that I have a family in America.

Friends, now tell me have you ever seen anyone like that? What would you think if you have a person in your house who has a different faith than you and practises it in your house Most people will not like it. But the family AFS and YES chooses for students respects the differences and accepts the student without discrimination by color, faith and country. I love my family and can’t believe that this is year is almost over.

It was all possible because of YES. I can’t show my gratitude enough. How thankful I am and how proud I am to be a part of such a great organisation whose aim is to collaborate with different countries. Friends, please take a step forward and help YES and its goals by volunteering in way you can.

God Bless you all. And Thanks!