6/21/2007 - Rocky Start, to an Amazing Ending
by Faisal Hassan, Malaysia ‘07, hosted in Langley,WA
I still remember my first day arriving here in the States. Everything looked new for me. I arrived here with 30 AFS-YES students from Malaysia, full of confidence in us. I’d had a bumpy start but things turned out all right in the end. Before I departed for America, I was told that I’m going to live in Tucson, Arizona, but there was a change of plans and I was told I’m now going to Seattle, Washington. I felt a bit confused and uncertain. I ended up arriving into Portland, OR and stayed in Portland less than two weeks. But in the end everything paid off and I found I’d be living in South Whidbey Island near Seattle, Washington.
Everything turned out to be great. I couldn’t have even imagined me being in an island located in the Northwest of America. When I was in Malaysia, I lived in a big city, Kuala Lumpur. Here I live in what seems like the middle of nowhere, but I like it a lot. I get to witness the natural environment that surrounds this place, the beautiful scenery and animals that are in this area.
My host family is the best. They have supported me throughout this 6-month experience. The first time I arrived here in South Whidbey I was shocked by the surroundings. It didn’t take me long to realize that this place is beautiful. This is because of the help of my host family and my buddy; my host ‘bro’. We have had our sad and happy moments together. My host family is a group of people that I can rely on. They’ve helped me a lot with everything. One experience that I won’t forget is when my host family bought tickets for a Seattle Mariners baseball game for my 18th birthday. We all went and had a great time, even though The Mariners lost.
School is not what it seems to be. School here is astonishing. I get to experience a very unique and incredible lifestyle. My friends and me have become close ‘buddies’. All of us share the same interests and lifestyle. One fun thing that made us close and have a good time was when all of us were in the Varsity soccer team. I was surprised that I had the chance to be in the team. I was exultant when I became a starting line up for the team. The teachers at South Whidbey High School are very passionate and welcoming towards students. I feel grateful that I didn’t have problems understanding English. It took me a while to understand the education system but in the end it really opened up my mind. I realized why my AFS volunteers back home in Malaysia really emphasized that the best way to make friends is to join a club. I really thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving that advice.
My experience here so far, for the past 6 months has been a great experience. I feel grateful that I got a chance to be on this journey, to witness things that I wouldn’t imagine. I’ve reached my goal for this trip—to learn new things and to open up my mind to the world, as John F. Kennedy said, “We set sail on this new sea because there is knowledge to be gained.”
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