November YES Student of the Month: Alana from the Philippines
American Councils is pleased to announce our YES Student of the Month: Alana, a YES program student from the Philippines!
“The biggest lesson I gained is that volunteering is something a person should do for the betterment of the community without expecting anything in return. My exchange year helped me open my eyes to the importance of helping those in need, which is why I feel confident that I will bring this lesson back to my home country.”
American Councils PO is delighted to announce that Alana Radiamoda (has been selected for November YES Student of the Month! Alana is currently placed in Tifton, Georgia and is attending Crisp County High School.
In just two months, Alana has already completed an impressive 46 hours of volunteering and was AC PO’s first YES student to exceed the 30 hour requirement. Notably, Alana found great fulfillment volunteering at a local health fair with Georgia Lions Lighthouse, where she examined people's eyes to determine the need for glasses. Among the 27 patients she assisted, one was diagnosed with glaucoma and promptly received medical care. The profound impact of Alana's volunteering on others' ability to see the beauty of the world resonates deeply with her.
“I am forever grateful for the relationships with people engaged in my exchange year, especially my host family.”
In addition to her outstanding volunteer work, Alana is excelling academically, maintaining all As in her rigorous coursework, which includes American Literature, Healthcare Science, Art, and US History. At school and in the community, she’s motivated to share her culture with Americans. Alana remains determined and upbeat, and she has shared her culture extensively since arriving in the US. Recently, Alana jumped at the chance to speak at a community club's lunch meeting, where she seized the opportunity to provide insights into her culture and what the qualities she most admires about her country, including respect, resilience, and resourcefulness inherent in Filipino culture. Alana says, “It was a success because everyone remained engaged ‘til the end!”
At home, Alana has started to feel like a true member of her host family, not just an exchange student. She’s particularly grateful for her host mom and appreciates her host mom’s unwavering support, considering her both a mother and a close friend.
Reflecting on her exchange year so far, Alana emphasizes a significant takeaway: the importance of volunteering for the betterment of the community! She says, “The biggest lesson I gained is that no matter how old you are, volunteering is something a person should do for the betterment of the community without expecting anything in return. My exchange year helped me open my eyes to the importance of helping those in need.” Alana will surely bring this valuable lesson back to the Philippines as a YES alumna!
Interested in sharing your corner of America with another exceptional exchange student? Find out more about how you can host a FLEX or YES program exchange student with American Councils here!
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