At the very beginning of my journey coming to the US, not everything was as perfect and wonderful as I thought. Actually, it was like a nightmare to me! Students in CPHP program went to another state for training. Surrounded by all American kids, and been separated into different cabins, we felt more lonely and helpless. Because of the loneliness, we figured out how important it was to quickly make new friends and get along with others. Thanks to Corn’s optimistic attitude and outgoing personality, the second week at camp was wonderful! Because of Corn, I met a lot of friends!
Finally, the lone camp experience ended after three weeks. Although sad parting my best friends, I encouraged myself, and headed to Pennsylvania to experience another challenge. It’s still in August when I arrived at my host family’s house. Since there was no homework to do, and I had a very serious homesick, I spent most of my time staying in my room reading books and writing journals. I only cried for three days because I wanted to prove to myself that I was stronger than my sister, who cried for a month when she came to the US. And I fulfilled what I’ve promised!! Very soon, the school began.
First day of school: OMG!! What are they talking about? Why do they have to speak so fast? Why do I have to wear this ugly skirt? Why did I choose to attend a private religion school? Why? Why?? After few months: I am glad that I chose this school because everyone is just so nice to me!
There were a lot of problems between me and my host family because of our different culture; there were a lot of problems making friends, because I was too shy to talk. And there were a lot of problems making choices by myself, especially to make good choices. They were hard challenges, but I solved them! And now, I feel I learned something not just from school, but life experiences. In my school, there were twenty Korean students. So, everybody thought I was just another Korean kid. They didn’t pay attention to me because Korean kids didn’t like to hang out with Americans. Thanks to my religion teacher (although I don’t like his class), who told me to translate their prayer to Chinese and teach them. That’s the day when I became more talkative and outgoing. This happened after three months. Honors Chemistry class was the class that really made me felt like I made friends!We discussed questions with each other and chat as well. I was very lucky that my math skill were better than some of my classmates. I helped my friends sometimes with their chemistry problems that included calculations, and they helped me with complex definitions or lab papers. I found out that things were getting better and better as long as I tried to get along with others and participate in different kinds of activities. I joined school club, and volunteered in the hospital. Well, hospital was another place where I made friends. As a volunteer, we trained a lot, and took TB test before really started volunteering. It’s long process training, but I really enjoyed helping patients especially elderly because they were very lonely; I could tell from the face when they saw us coming. They were really happy and excited to talk to us even just a few minutes. A lot of my friends said that they couldn’t believe we are going home in just three months. But for me, I can’t wait to go back to Taiwan as there are a lot of things waiting for me to accomplish! This year studying in the US makes me grow and become a more responsible person (well, I guess). Thanks to my family for being very supportive when I need them. Thanks to my friends’ best wishes that makes me strong. Thanks to Charles and everyone in AYUSA Company.
I did it!!I see, I conquer then I come. – Napoleon
For me, it’s like this: I come, I see, I conquer.
