Here I am, at the very end of my exchange year, leaving the United States of America with two big, scary-looking suitcases full of clothes, a smaller carry-on, that's ready to explode and a head, full of bittersweet memories. 

I've spent my final 2 days in Washington, D.C. with 250 other exchange students and about a dozen state officials that encourage us to go back to our home countries and make a difference. Don't get me wrong, being a part of the YES exchange program is the biggest honor a high school student can get and being considered a leader is very flattering, but can we really change the world? How many resources and how much mental strength does one need, really, to stand up to everything he thinks is wrong?

It took me a week of readjustment to realize that changing the world does not mean curing cancer and putting an end to all wars and everything else that's wrong with this world. That's not my world. It's not yours either. The world that me and you live in is already affected by everything we've done, good or bad and it has already changed. It's going to keep on changing too. 

It's changing, because we're learning. A person meets 67,980 people in his life (on average). Every single one of those people has a story, which affects us, whether we realize it or not. Some have a glamorous lifestyle and pay other people to clean their toilets and others have a broken family or a broken heart. They all have their little quirks and their stories and if you can just listen and show a little compassion you'll see how beautiful and diverse this world is.

That's one of the things I've learned. I've also learned that if those stories and fears are not shared, hate is going to be passed around like a hot potato, eventually sticking to the hands of the one least able to throw it away, burning a scar for the rest of your life.

I've learned that every little decision that we make leads to another and even the smallest things that we do habitually affect our lives on a bigger scale.

I've learned that no one can make me or you feel inferior and sad without our consent. I've learned that walking away and quitting does not mean you're a failure. It makes you a better and stronger person, because it means you have the guts to walk away from something that doesn't make you happy anymore.

I've learned that even in the hardest of times, you have to keep on going and not give up, if not for yourself, then for everyone else in your life that has problems too and needs a strong role model and a helping hand.

By Kalin Tsanov, YES Bulgaria 2012-2013