How Does it Feel to Have Another Family From Other Country?

Muhamad Saputra — KL-YES to USA YP 22/23

Living in another country has been my dream since I was in elementary school. meet friends and family from other countries, feel the four seasons for the first time, eat and go somewhere that I can only watch on screen. It was a big dream that my 6 years ago I would be proud seeing myself now.

I still can’t believe that I am now in another country being an exchange student and living with a host family. It was a miracle that I’ll be able to live for 1 year in another country. It was never easy at first for me, especially since I still didn’t know me and the new country, I was completely unfamiliar.

I’ve never had a second home, but now I’ve found it in all the homes that exist. I feel comfortable in this new place with all the warmth and togetherness. Even though different doesn’t mean you can’t be together, that’s what I feel now. Life is 180 degrees different from what I’ve experienced, it doesn’t stop me from continuing to express myself and develop.

During 1 full year of study, there was a lot of knowledge, experience, and excitement that I faced here. Living and making friends with different people from different perspectives and backgrounds taught me a lot. Their diverse culture, from history, behavior, to the way of eating is also different. Philosophies of thought that are diverse, wild, organized, respected, and the coolest.

All knowledge cannot be separated from what is called experience. Lots of experiences have taught me about the meaning of life. An example is the experience I got while doing volunteer activities in the local area. Packing the food and cleaning the room are all very meaningful experiences. I even remember my experience helping build houses for people in need. Knowledge and relations can be obtained and become teaching.

My change year really changed me of how I view the world. How I value and appreciate my life that has been given. My Exchange life will be a part of my life and I would do anything to make my experience last forever.