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From Small Town Albania to Small Town Pennsylvania

Female Albanian YES Student Posing In Front Of The White House

By: Inva Furriku (YES 2022-2023, placed by AFS in Berwyn, PA)

Growing up, I would spend my weekend-nights watching Spider-Man, Hulk, and other superhero films. Those nights were the highlight of my childhood, because through those Marvel Comics characters I would escape the reality of the small town and dream about the high-rise buildings that reared high into the sky. The United States eventually became an aspiration to me, and learning English was a goal I aimed to achieve. Although the town I was raised in did not offer many opportunities, my parents registered me in an English language course, that had just been opened for new students. It was that time when I first heard from my English teacher for this program that awarded full scholarships to Albanian students to live for an academic year in the United States – the YES Program.
At the age of sixteen, I applied for the first phase as soon as the applications were opened. Deep in my heart I knew this was the moment that I had been waiting for years, but on the other hand it was also my only attempt to get into the program. The opportunity was amazing, but the challenge was even bigger. Two months later, in December, I got an unexpected email that said that I was chosen as a semi-finalist, and in a matter of days I would have to start an application for the final phase. At that moment, I was one step closer, as well as many steps away. When a dream starts to become a reality, then we start to understand the power of the decisions we are making for ourselves. After writing essays, being interviewed, and uploading many documents, it was finally the time to wait.

Exchange Students Posing Together As A Group

One late afternoon in April, I got this call that suddenly changed the rhythm of everything. I was chosen as a finalist from the YES Program, and in four months I would be leaving to the United States. Now it was not a dream anymore, but a reality I was going to live in. Mostly, it served as the best example of a merit-based program, where all the applicants were the same. I was worried that the fact that I was raised up in a small town and did not have as many opportunities as other students had would sometimes limit me and my desires, but the YES Program proved me wrong.

Six months have already passed, and I have learned so many things about the United States, my host community, and even myself. I have taught my host family, friends, teachers and community about Albania and I have received teachings back from all of them. Cooking Albanian traditional food, giving presentations during International Education Week, and telling people about our history, traditions and customs has had a profound impact, and that’s one of the reasons I cherish the YES Program the most. Being the first Albanian student hosted in this community was not easy, because in the beginning most of the people did not know where Albania was, or what life was like over there. The transition from trying to teach my friends where Albania is in the map to nowadays when they ask me to teach them Albanian, has made me realize the power programs like YES hold.

Female Albanian YES Student Posing With Group Of Friends

Through the YES Program, I have been able to teach others about Albania – this small country on Southeastern Europe, with friendly people and a wonderful cultural heritage. Most importantly, I have met people who hold an important place in my heart. My class teacher and friends made the beginning of the school year so much easier and gave me a sense of belonging. Being in a class with students from different parts of the world, where all types of languages would be spoken was one of the best experiences I have ever had, and I know I will miss when this journey comes to an end. Eating breakfast during the second period in the cafeteria and watching FIFA World Cup during the classes are just pieces of a big puzzle which is still in process to be completed.

It is wonderful how much one can learn about themselves if one starts to build a welcoming attitude toward changes. Living miles away from home, in a completely different community, while speaking a foreign language is never easy, but in the moment, you get used to it you understand how much you have grown. This is why once you are part of the YES Program, you will always feel attached to it, no matter where life takes you.


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