My Journey from Sungai Penuh to the United States
Sucika Shandianing Jiwatami — INA KLYES to USA YP 23/24
While you are still young, you should have to find the opportunity to try new things and explore different experiences.
Hello everyone! I’m Sucika, one of the awardee of KL-YES 23/24 program who got placed in Waukee,Iowa. My journey started almost at the end of August in 2023 Where after one year waiting for the result and all the struggles, I still can’t believe that I made it to the United States. I was just an ordinary girl who lived in a small town, Sungai Penuh, Jambi. It’s just a small town, on the edge of Jambi that maybe not everyone knows, and when I was a kid, I never had a dream to go study abroad at very young age, Until I become teenager, I think I should try to get of from my comfort zone, find the opportunity and exploring myself to do something new and different experiences.
I will never become more enthusiastic to achieve this dream. 6 Students of Indonesia, including me on august night, finally ended their worries and flew over the countries to start to explore ourselves in the new world with new people, and new experiences that were waiting for us. When I sat on the plane, I feel mixed-feelings to become the first member of my family who go outside from my country and I won’t make my exchange year will failed, so I tried to volunteering,joined international club, mime club, and be a speaker for international panel at Waukee highschool in Iowa.
One of my unforgettable memories is when I finally did a presentation on 15 November 2023 in International Education Week at one of the middle school of Waukee, Iowa. I got the opportunity to do my presentation in one of my social studies classes. I’m very proud to wear my traditional clothes from Sungai Penuh.I introduced to all of the students about Indonesian culture and shared my experiences as an exchange student in the US. I learned how I can try to step out of my comfort zone by increasing my confidence and public speaking in front of people too.
Volunteering also is the activity that I like to do in the US. I like to helping people, meeting new people because it’s helping me to be more active and be a dedicated person to spread the kindness around people. In this picture, I volunteered at Waukee Public Library because they were having an event for children to did some science experiments. I’m so happy to help the children with their experiments. I’m feeling happy for being the ambassador of my country as an exchange student. The important thing that I learned is, no matter who you are and where you are, It won’t be an obstacle for you to reach your dreams and become the best version of yourself.
