Sisilia giving a country presentation with an ASL interpreter.

When the placement organization American Councils wrote to Sisilia Adysti over the summer to ask if she would like to live with a host family that communicates in both English and American Sign Language (ASL), the Indonesian YES student jumped at the opportunity. A hearing student herself, Sisilia started learning ASL even before she left Indonesia. And so began Sisilia’s immersion in not one, but two, American languages and cultures. Her host mother, Rita, is deaf and uses ASL, and after Sisilia’s arrival in Webster, NY, her host father, Tom, initially acted as an interpreter for the exchange student. Although she could have relied on Tom for the whole year, Sisilia took it upon herself to join the ASL Club at school to help her learn the language, going the extra mile to create a better bond with her host family. Indeed, Sisilia went above and beyond anyone’s expectations in her quick absorption of sign language, and now she no longer needs a translator when speaking with Rita. Her local coordinator, Emily Back, observed, “I have seen them talk using ASL, and I am beyond impressed with what she’s learned so far. Not only is her ASL incredible, her English has also improved since she first arrived. I think that this ties into her personal growth as well.” Her host parents have hosted before, but Sisilia is their first hearing student, and they consider her a “perfect match” for their family.

At Schroeder High School, Sisilia has joined the International Club and the chorus. She served as a delegate for Cuba in a Model United Nations conference, which, she reported, helped her to be more open-minded and improved her public speaking ability. International Education Week also gave Sisilia a chance to hone her public speaking skills. During her presentations, she gave audience members a chance to try on traditional clothing from Indonesia. She also taught them some Indonesian words and a traditional dance. More recently Sisilia has begun community service with the Key Club and is eager to give back to her community throughout the year.

Sisilia noted that in her time here she had learned a lot about the United States. Although her U.S. experience is in some ways unique, in other respects it is one she shares with all her fellow YES students: “For me, being an exchange student is like taking a picture with a different lens of a camera. I learn more about myself and my community, learn a different culture, and I see the world.”

Congratulations, Sisilia, on being chosen as YES Student of the Month for December!