By Sarah Nur (YES 2022-2023, Bangladesh, placed by ASSE in Huntsville, TX)

I've been in the U.S. for two months now; my daily schedule has completely changed, but in a beautiful way. I was one of the first arrivals in Huntsville, Texas. The whole journey of just coming here was a bigger challenge for me than actually adjusting here. It was a  smooth adjustment because of my host family, the Emmons.  My host family has five members, starting with my mom, Valeri Emmons, who is a teacher and a cheer coach. My dad, Aaron Emmons, is a senior captain of communications in the Houston Emergency Center. I have three siblings. Kaydance and Ace attend school in Huntsville, and my older host sister, Kaylee, is 21 and doesn't live with us but visits often. 

I am thankful for how warmly my host family welcomed me into their home. I have a biological younger brother named Rihan so it was natural for me to want siblings in my host family as well.  My host parents are exactly like my natural parents and they treat me like one of their own children. The moment I arrived in Texas my host family wanted to learn everything about me. We started talking the moment they picked me up from the airport. My host family's curiosity in me, my country, and my culture helped us bond quickly. 

I've enjoyed some of the simpler things in life with my host family, such as trying out their favorite Mexican restaurant and going grocery shopping. From food to TV shows, my host family and I had exactly the same taste – it feels like we were destined to be a family. One of the most important lessons my host family has taught me is how to find a good outcome in any situation and remain positive.

My host dad and I cooked chotpoti (a popular Bangladeshi street food) for a party that my local coordinator organized. The dish is a really popular street food in Bangladesh made out of chickpeas, potatoes and onions topped with different garnishes. Making this dish with my host dad was kind of a bonding activity for me. I felt really close with him and we bonded over our love of food and cooking.

Apart from my host family, I have made great friends as well. I am adjusting well in my school because I have a lovely local coordinator and a school counselor. I have joined a lot of clubs in my high school such as Business Professionals of America (BPA), exchange buddies, and student council. I did my first volunteering service with a church group called bridge ministry. We gave food and clothes to homeless people in Houston. I was really grateful that I had the opportunity to do this noble work. I went to a Girl Scouts career fair where I told the Girl Scouts about my country and I also did a country presentation. Overall my experience here in just two months of time has been pretty wonderful and I would like to thank my host family, the YES program, and the U.S. Department of State for this opportunity.