Forward from: altynmind.
#flex
insights from the lessons so far:
1) be EXTREMELY INSANELY grateful for everyone in the host community, especially to my host family because they are not paid to host me. I am only able to participate thanks to American taxpayers, and the intention and genuine interest of my host family in my culture. I am not entitled to anything there
2) politeness is more than just a formality. simply forgetting to say "thank you" or "please" may get me in trouble
3) life abroad definitely WILL push my limits as a responsible person. conflicts and misunderstandings are inevitable, so I have to be brave enough to communicate openly and ask for help if needed
4) I'm not there to solely take, take, and take. I'm there to GIVE in the first place. my placement organization requires me to complete 3 projects and 50 hours of volunteering, but I want to aim for 100+ hours to receive the Volunteer Award
5) the US is a melting pot of cultures but many Americans still do not know much about different cultures, ESPECIALLY in small towns where diversity is lacking (like in my case). so I should take every opportunity to share my culture.
6) living in a small town is a blessing in disguise. even though it seems boring, many alumni admit that being placed in a small town allowed profound connections to flourish. it is easier to get to know everyone in the neighborhood and establish friendly relationships with the host community
7) being an exchange student is a HUGE responsibility. the second we step our foot on the American soil, we become the ambassadors of our home country, which means all people around me will judge Kazakhstan based on me and my behavior. there is an additional responsibility for me as the FIRST foreign exchange student for my host family. it is on me to make a good impression of exchange students in general.
8) I have to get used to rules in the household and in the school, such as curfew, screen time limits (yeahhhh), mandatory attendance, etc. not following them even in the slightest will get me in big trouble, and I don't want to be deported from the US.
insights from the lessons so far:
1) be EXTREMELY INSANELY grateful for everyone in the host community, especially to my host family because they are not paid to host me. I am only able to participate thanks to American taxpayers, and the intention and genuine interest of my host family in my culture. I am not entitled to anything there
2) politeness is more than just a formality. simply forgetting to say "thank you" or "please" may get me in trouble
3) life abroad definitely WILL push my limits as a responsible person. conflicts and misunderstandings are inevitable, so I have to be brave enough to communicate openly and ask for help if needed
4) I'm not there to solely take, take, and take. I'm there to GIVE in the first place. my placement organization requires me to complete 3 projects and 50 hours of volunteering, but I want to aim for 100+ hours to receive the Volunteer Award
5) the US is a melting pot of cultures but many Americans still do not know much about different cultures, ESPECIALLY in small towns where diversity is lacking (like in my case). so I should take every opportunity to share my culture.
6) living in a small town is a blessing in disguise. even though it seems boring, many alumni admit that being placed in a small town allowed profound connections to flourish. it is easier to get to know everyone in the neighborhood and establish friendly relationships with the host community
7) being an exchange student is a HUGE responsibility. the second we step our foot on the American soil, we become the ambassadors of our home country, which means all people around me will judge Kazakhstan based on me and my behavior. there is an additional responsibility for me as the FIRST foreign exchange student for my host family. it is on me to make a good impression of exchange students in general.
8) I have to get used to rules in the household and in the school, such as curfew, screen time limits (yeahhhh), mandatory attendance, etc. not following them even in the slightest will get me in big trouble, and I don't want to be deported from the US.