By Abraham Soumano (YES 2018-2019, Mali, hosted by AYUSA in Richland, WA)

My exchange year was full of surprises and new experiences. Discovering new places, trying different food and having the chance to try new activities I never did before, such as hiking, camping in a national park and learning how to swim.Everything around me was so new, but I had an amazing host family who showed me love every day, and considered me as their own child and family member.

The first time I met my host family at the airport,the smile I saw on their faces immediately made me feel at home. My host family whose culture was totally different from my biological family shared the same ideology of love and hospitality. 

I want to thank my host mom for all the support I got from her. In the beginning of my exchange year, I struggled a bit with my homework, but she never gave up on me. I still remember every Sunday when we used to check my grades. I baptized that sequence as the "A.M. time"(Abraham and mommy time). I miss the delicious cookies and brownies you use to bake. Soooo delicious. This is also addressed to my host dad who always helped me when I was in need. I won't never forget the memories we built. I miss the activities you and I did together. I also miss being with my little host brothers who made me smile every time, I think about them a lot. 

I don't know what words to use to express my gratitude to all these people who supported and encouraged me every time. My friends, local coordinator, teachers, host family and host community and the Hope church. The word "thanks" isn't enough to describe how grateful I am to you all.

Now thanks to all of you, I can say with pride that I have friends from overseas. I had wonderful times, lot of fun and also faced challenges and experiences during my exchange year that made me much stronger.