My First Ramadan in America
Achmad Triezky Baim-INA KL YES to USA YP 24/25
Hi Everyone! My name is Achmad Triezky Baim, and I’m an exchange student from Indonesia currently living in Geneva, Illinois. I’ve been here for several months now, and one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had so far is spending my very first Ramadan away from home.
To be honest, I never imagined observing Ramadan without my family. Back home, Ramadan is all about togetherness: waking up for sahur with my mom’s cooking, breaking the fast with my whole family, and going to the mosque for Taraweeh prayers. But here, I had to experience sahur all by myself in the quiet of early morning. It was tough in the beginning, but I got used to it.
Thankfully. I’m blessed with a very supportive host family. They made sure we always had iftar together. They even asked questions about Ramadan and tried to understand my traditions.Even though we’re from different cultures and beliefs, their kindness and effort to make me feel at home truly warmed my heart.
Fasting while staying active wasn’t easy either. I joined the school’s tennis team and participated in a running program. Practicing and playing matches while fasting wasn’t easy. I had to manage my energy, stay focused, and resist the urge to drink water during tough drills and games. However, I learned to push through, which made me stronger both mentally and physically.
Another unique challenge came from one of my classes: International Foods. Yes, I take a cooking class where we prepare and smell delicious food almost every day while I’m fasting! It was not easy to stay focused and resist temptation, but I did it. And it made every iftar taste even better.
Ramadan came to an end during our spring break trip to San Diego. I celebrated Eid there with my host family. We visited an Indonesian restaurant and enjoyed rendang, satay, and other Indonesian cuisines. It felt just like home.
On Eid morning, I went to a local mosque in San Diego for Eid prayer. It was such a powerful experience. seeing the Muslim community come together, hearing the same Eid takbir I’ve heard since I was a child, and even meeting with Indonesian people. Some of them invited me to their house, and we spent time talking, eating, and playing. That day, I truly felt like I was part of their family. It reminded me how connected we all are, no matter where in the world we are. I can’t describe how happy I was. it truly felt like a piece of Indonesia in America.
This Ramadan was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was challenging, but also beautiful. I learned a lot about patience, gratitude, and the kindness of others. I’ll carry these memories with me forever.
