Current YES student Hussain Alqari from Bahrain warms up for his high school's soccer game. 

By Hussain Alqari, YES 2014-2015, hosted by CCI in Everett, WA

My name is Hussain Alqari and I am a YES exchange student from Bahrain, who is currently hosted in Everett, Washington. My exchange experience has been amazing so far, especially my attendance at Everett High School!

I’ve enjoyed my time at school, and couldn’t wait for soccer season to begin in the spring so that I could try out for the school’s team. Soccer has always been my favorite sport; I play well! I was selected for the school's team, and was even made team captain, which was something tremendously great!

Over the past three years, our school's soccer team had never won a game. When the 2014-15 season started, the whole team was pumped with new players and a new captain. We played the season with excitement and positivity. During one particular game, we played against a very tough team considered the strongest in our district. We played well and gave a lot of effort, and by the last few minutes of the game, the game was tied. This was when I motivated myself to play harder and do my best.

I received the ball from my teammate and thought to myself, "this is my moment.” I dribbled through two players who I successfully passed while the game's commentator yelled, "Everett High's number 7 is on fire. He dribbles through two players; oh what a move!" Once I got near the goal, I took a shot, and unbelievably, it went over the goalkeeper and inside the net! The commentator went crazy yelling, "Everett High's number 7 seems to be looking for that shot, it is minute 89 now; one minute left to the game. Number 7 takes that shot. STRAIGHT TO THE GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!!!!! Everett High School WINS!" All my teammates ran and jumped over me screaming with happiness and feeling over the moon with that unbelievable last minute win. No one would've thought that it could have been possible.

The moment I made that goal, the audience went crazy cheering my name. It was maybe the greatest night of my life; my best friends were there, and after the game, we took pictures together and celebrated. The coach hugged me and said, "You did wonderful, Hussain, you won us the game!" My teammates carried me over their shoulders and started cheering my name. It was an unbelievable night.

I ended the soccer season as the leading goalie of Everett High School, which is a significant achievement; I shall be remembered in the history of the high school! My teammates have been asking, “What will we do next year without you, HUSSAIN?” I love soccer; I love my high school; I love AMERICA!