My American Experience: We Are All One
Each year, we ask our students to reflect on their exchange years as part of our My American Experience essay contest. Audrey, our second-place winner, shares how getting to know her American hometown of Bellefonte helped her grow as a person, a family member, and a global citizen.
We Are All One
By Audrey Sebayang
“Studying in America was an extraordinary experience of an individual lifetime for me, as I saw America as the promise land filled with lots of opportunities to succeed in life. Before my exchange year, I forced myself to learn a number of things relating to ways of life in foreign land. Since America is referred to as a melting pot and known for its diversity, I was so passionate about coming here. My American experience has eternally been amazing, as amazing as riding a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs along the way. It has opened my eyes to see the world wider, and I strongly believe that, in order to become a better world, we must embrace and build bridges to respect and understanding across cultures.
One of the hundreds of experiences that I will hold on to forever is joining the drama club. It was the best decision and a highlight of my exchange year! Never in my life have I felt so accepted and loved by people as much as I did here in the club. Even though I only participated in the Musical Drama, this club impacted my life, in terms of self-development and beautiful memories. I met so many good people that are as enthusiastic as me, that were willing to learn my country and my culture. I got teach the club the dance moves, and we were so satisfied by the accomplishments we got from this musical drama! I am beyond proud of the club, and myself.
At the end of our show, the seniors prepared individual awards for the members. I was not expecting anything. Since no one called my name for the award for the first 30 minutes, I was so happy for my classmates that received various awards… until in the end, all of the seniors gathered together, and said, one after another, they said: “This person is very near into my heart, because she helped me bouncing the negative thoughts from my brain.” and “This person is very near into my heart, because of the amount of time that she spent to teach me the dance, since I missed some rehearsals.”
I smiled, wiping my tears, as they continued to tell the people there about what this Indonesian exchange student did for them. Yes, they were talking about me and prepared special awards – not only one, but 9 awards – with explanations about how I impact their life here in the USA. As I reflect back to my previous life before coming to America, I have never before felt so appreciated, being able to consider myself part of them.
“My American experience has eternally been amazing, as amazing as riding a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs along the way.”
As the end of the year gets closer, all of sudden my heart melts harder, knowing that I will leave soon. Leaving my American life, my favorite yellow bus and my beloved bus lady, my morning steps walking through the mountain to catch the bus, my number 20 seat on the bus, my number 211 locker that I just discovered how to open this year, and many more memories. The beauty of Bellefonte, the two mountains that I always wake up to in the morning by my window, and our deck that faced the whole yard and mountains where my host family. my double placement, and I used to eat dinner together.
Living here for 9 months has introduced me to a whole new magical life, shaped me to a better individual and helped me realize that we, we are all one, if we prioritize humanity as the top of our life. Not to mention that it has taught me to become more appreciative of my own life, and love my home country, Indonesia, even more.”
“Living here for 9 months has introduced me to a whole new magical life, shaped me to a better individual and helped me realize that we, we are all one, if we prioritize humanity as the top of our life”
See Recent Exchange Stories
Looking for more stories?