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My Journey from Madison to Skopje, Coming Full Circle!

Gazepova Martina and friend

By Martina Gazepova (YES 2023-2024 North Macedonia placed by AYUSA IN Madison, WI)

The familiar mountains of North Macedonia peeked through the clouds, and I felt a mix of excitement and nostalgia. My year in Madison, Wisconsin, had been transformative, filled with joy and wonderful moments, and now I was about to reunite with my family.

Meeting my family at the airport was a moment I’ll never forget. It felt like years waiting for my luggage and I felt immensely nervous. I was going to see my family; I was going to hug them. Their smiles, tears, and the vibrant bouquet they held made my heart swell. My mother, eyes brimming with tears, hugged me tightly and whispered, “Welcome home, we’ve missed you so much.”

Martina and HF

The car ride from the airport to my hometown was honestly the best part of coming back. I always adored looking out the car windows, being mesmerized by the mountainous Macedonia. However, in this car ride, I felt all of that hundred times multiplied. The familiar sights of the road and my hometown blurred by, making my heart race with anticipation.

I had spent the past year living with a host family in Madison Wisconsin. My host parents, along with their two amazing daughters, Clara and Cecilia, welcomed me into their world with open arms. Madison quickly became a second home. I immersed myself in the culture, from the school spirit at football games and cozy family nights playing Azul, to countless hours spent by Lake Mendota or downtown with friends.

My last days in the US were filled with heartfelt goodbyes and moments of reflection. I volunteered at the Children’s Museum’s Art Studio the last couple of weeks, where I met lots of great people and children, and we bonded over drawing and storytelling.

My friend Israt Jemim Jahar ‘24 from Bangladesh and I spent countless afternoons by the University of Wisconsin, by the shore of lake Mendota, discussing our experiences and the impending farewell. We reflected on the past ten months, recalling all of our best, funniest and most memorable moments. We laughed, cried, and cherished every remaining moment in Madison. At that moment it was difficult for me to fathom the emotions I was experiencing. My face always shined with a smile, yet my eyes were full of endless tears. I recall just how much my friends and I cried the last week. Those last days I spent at sleepovers, festivals, traveling and just talking. It was hard for me to comprehend that this was the end.

Leaving was going to be hard, and we knew that but the journey to Washington, DC for our End of Stay event added a magical final chapter to our exchange. We explored various museums in DC, had a vibrant party, and deepened our connections with other exchange students from around the world.

At the Re-Entry Forum in Skopje, held from July 3-5, I reconnected with fellow alumni from North Macedonia, sharing our unique experiences and the challenges of reverse culture shock. The event highlighted how the YES program impacts not only the students but also the broader community. We discussed projects, the skills we gained, and our plans to inspire change back home. The forum underscored the importance of global understanding and cooperation, principles that had guided us throughout our exchange year. It was empowering to see how our experiences could drive positive change in our local and host communities. Surrounded by fellow alumni at the Re-Entry, I felt a sense of gratitude and purpose. My journey from Madison to Skopje had come full circle.

The memories of Madison, the warm welcome back home, and the inspiring days in Skopje all turned into a story of growth and connection. The YES program had not just given me a year of unforgettable experiences; it had given me a lifetime of inspiration and a commitment to making a difference in my community. The journey to and from the US is just the beginning.


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