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.  

美國學校：Saint Puis X High School 
在美地區：PA 賓州
 
 

 

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