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YES Highlights from Gaza Alumna

Written by Ghada Tafesh.

Acceptance to the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program was an opportunity of a lifetime. It made me a completely different person. This experience helped me to develop a comprehensive understanding and respect for other cultures. I had the chance to experience what American life is like. I learned that the U.S. is a melting of other religions, beliefs, cultures and differences.

The best part of my experience was my host family members, George and Dolly Peter. They supported me, gave me the love I needed and made me feel at home. They encouraged and supported me during the challenges I faced. I shared my culture and had the pleasure to complete activities as a family member. As a new member to my host family I got to participate in different religious, cultural and family occasions. I met neighbors and people who were an honor to know and who I will never forget.

As a student at Atholton High School, I met teachers who were always ready to help and I became very close to them. I found the same care and support with students who became real and dear friends. Nothing seemed impossible as I studied, communicated, achieved goals and lived using my second language. I also met many inspiring exchange students from all over the world who had a lot to share and tell. This experience was full of great memories and unforgettable moments.

When I returned, I took many new ideas and concepts to my home country. The most important values I learned and internalized are respect of differences, importance of community service, hospitality and so many new ways of seeing the world. I have so many significant highlights in this 10 month experience, one trip that deserves to be mentioned was to Arizona to attend the Opening Minds Camp, there I learned how to be a great and effective leader. I developed plans for a project that will help Palestinian society connect to American society and develop better understanding and communication between the two societies. This camp taught me that I am capable of doing anything as long as I am dedicated and have enough self-confidence. Another highlight was meeting and speaking with the Maryland, Minnesota and Ohio State Congressmen about the YES Program and the its mission. We talked about the great opportunities that the YES program provides to students from all over the world to the U.S.

Some of the challenges I faced were being a stranger in a new community, starting a new life in the U.S. and facing homesickness. I tried to get  involved in the community as much as I could. Becoming active and staying involved helped me a lot. I felt I was a real member of the family. With the help of everybody around me and the dedication I had, I achieved the Principal Roll at school in all four quarters and was the student of the month four times. Optimism while making the best of every difficulty made these challenges easier to get over.

I became a more independent, stronger and more self-confident person, I learned how to make good decisions, plan for my future, do the best I can to help others. As for today, I currently go to college in the U.S., Wilson College, as a full time student; where not only am I seeking intellectual fulfillment, but leadership, communication, teamwork, problem solving and decision-making skills. All these qualities would serve me well in my future career and life. All that I am today I can attribute to my past experiences especially my YES experience that taught me priceless lessons I would never forget. Finally I would like to thank everybody who made this amazing experience, which I will never ever forget. Thank you to all the people of Youth Exchange and Study Program, my host family, friends, teachers and everybody I have met. I left a year ago and I knew I have a second home, a second family and best friends forever. Thank you to my family in Gaza, teachers and friends who kept in touch with me and supported me during my experience.


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