By Mirsela Gorani (YES 2013-2014, Albania, placed by AIFS in Pamplico, SC)

With YES Appreciation Day occurring earlier this month, I look back on my exchange student experience, and it all feels like a dream. I had always imagined what it would be like to live out an American high school adventure, but I never thought I would be able to experience it.

After months of dealing with the application process, in April 2013, I finally received the call that changed my life; I was one of the ten YES finalists for Albania. I couldn’t believe it! My dream to go to the U.S. would soon be a reality, even though it all felt surreal. As days passed, I worried about where my new home would be. Then, the email came through; my new home would be in Pamplico, South Carolina. I rushed to google the address.

What did I see? A house in the middle of green scenery, not too far from a lake, surrounded by trees. It seemed like a rural area, but I was happy because I spent my summers at my grandparent's house in a village away from city life, running up and down the hills and the fields. I reached out to my new family immediately and spoke to a cute little girl who would be my host sister and a beautiful lady who was my American host mom. My intuition did not let me down; I liked them from the moment I spoke with them (and loved them even more later on).

After that, days went by too slowly and too quickly at the same time – too quickly because I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go across the ocean and be away from my family and friends for 10 months, and too slowly because I was excited for this new chapter of my life and the adventures awaiting me.

After the flight from Tirana to the U.S. and the orientation in Washington D.C., the time finally came to go to my new family in South Carolina. Despite being jet lagged, I remember my cute baby host sister waiting for me at the gate with host mom. From the beginning, I felt a connection with them, like I was part of their family. Without reservations, I called my host parents "Mom" and "Dad" from the first time I met them.

The McAllisters were one of the main factors in my amazing exchange experience. They lived in a home near a little pond surrounded by trees, a haven from the noises of the city. I was mesmerized when I first came home. The family not only had a beautiful home, but they also had horses, ducks, geese, cats, dogs, and a bearded dragon.

However, the best part about my exchange year was not the house, the trees, or the animals. The family welcomed me as one of their own, the family I still love and cherish. My host sister, Alex, was a ray of sunshine, full of energy and love. My mom was a loving, charismatic, patient, and hard-working woman who would always make sure everyone had all they needed and had fun. My host dad was a sweet, fun, and smart man who made us the best burgers and milkshakes whenever he was home.

The McAllisters opened their home to me as they had done for other exchange students. They showed me what it's like to be part of their family and loved me unconditionally as if I had always been part of their family. Through their kindness, I learned that forgiveness is essential in any relationship, and that one should always do good deeds, even if they don't feel like it. Because of my American host family, I learned more about compassion and patience. I also became more optimistic, authentic, open-minded, and accepting of people for who they are due to my host family’s example. They each taught me something that made me who I am today.

From tractor rides to late-night movies, to milkshakes and burgers, to feeding the horses at the barn, to early mornings at Alex’s horse-riding shows, to sugar rushes around the kitchen, to a birthday celebration in Halloween costumes, to leg wrestling and monkey piles, and to so many more experiences that made my life sparkle, my exchange year was better than a dream. I want to thank the McAllisters for being a real family, not simply a host family. In honor of YES Appreciation Day, I show my appreciation to my host family, whom I will always miss and love.