Ayusa 國際愛優生文化交流協會

今天是CR幫我們交換學生辦的第三次聚會,地點在Davidsville , Davidsville 是賓州較北邊的地區,緯度較高加上又是山坡地帶,當然較冷囉!那兒只有約華氏的10度.但………………去之前,我根本不知會那麼冷,所以只穿了一件不厚也不薄的外套:到了那兒才知道,事情大條了,牙齒顫抖.說話會打結……奇奇怪怪的情形都出現了!

還好! CR人超好,借了我一件外套,讓我免於凍死的地步 J

U.S.A, the country of freedom, is where I spent my exchange student year with tons of experiences. I have been to several countries for study abroad programs, but I have never been away from home for this long.  I was hoping that I can go to a place on the west coast, or the east coast of the U.S. such as LA, NYC, etc. However, I ended up in Syracuse, KS. I still remember the first thought that I had when I saw Kansas on the plane was “What kind of trouble did I get myself into?” And the first thought I had when I knew there are only 16 students in my school was “I am so out of here,” But I told myself that I can’t retreat because the environment doesn’t fit me. I came all the way to the U.S. to experience different environments, so what I should do is to let me fit the environment.

Too much expectation often brings students down when they find out that the situation isn’t like they thought. I could barely bear the disappointment when I found the truth that Syracuse, KS is so small (approximately 1800 people). It was a huge shock for a person that has lived in a big city for 15 years. I eventually overcame the difficulty and discovered good things about small towns. I found out that determination and patience are needed to solve every problem, and they sure helped me through any kind of problem while I was in the U.S.  Life in the U.S. is very exciting for me because there were always new challenges. Every day is a whole new experience and every challenge is different from the previous one. I had many precious and unforgettable experiences during the year.

I concluded what I learned into three major points: First, it is very common for Americans to see foreigners. Because of that, exchange students are nothing special but simply people trying to accomplish their own American Dream. Because of that, I focused on conveying the many positive attributes of Taiwan to a people that might not otherwise learn. Second, selfishness and childishness are not going to do any good. Independence, responsibility and respect are required for a remarkable year. Third, but not least, students need humility and confidence at the same time. Be humble to receive, but be confident to give when exchanging cultures. I hope these valuable techniques will help future exchange students with their year in the U.S.

 Exchange students have the responsibility to bring positive influences into the community. I am proud that I tried my best to learn about the U.S. and to introduce Taiwan. I appreciate AYUSA and I am thankful that I had the chance to be an exchange student. Maybe the processes weren’t smooth, but the fruit of achievement will always be the sweetest.

This is a pretty cool experience. I have lived in United State before, but not with a hostfamily. I have a host father —–Henry. He is a cool guy. He’s very different compare to the host family I’ve heard before. He tries to treat us like friends. We always say he is 70 outside but 17 in mind. I’m his seventh exchange. But the first Asian. He helped me with a lot of stuff. I also have a host brother—-Dominik. He was the 4^th exchange of Henry. We do a lot of crazy stuff together    ha-ha. The first week I got here. Henry took me and Kuba(who’s also a exchange of Henry and Dominik’s related brother. He went back after a month later.) to a beach for vocation. We went to a restaurant in the hotel for dinner. When we went in the restaurant we found out something was wrong. Cuz everybody else was wearing extremely formal. But we were wearing a swimming pants and T-shirt. After the excellent dinner we found out why. The Bill was 130$!!!!!!!! Hahaha!! Henry almost got a heart attack. We left a HUGE tip. After that dinner Kuba and I almost laughed off our ass!!!!!

The school part is totally different compare to the school in Taiwan. Right here the school starts at 8:10 and ends at 3:10 when I told my friends the school hours in Taiwan. They all looks surprised. They couldn’t believe we have to go to  school that long each day. The teachers all treat me pretty nice!!!!(I learn from this first you gotta act like you speak English poorly so the teachers will try their best to help you out) There is a lot of crazy stuff going on in school you just gotta experienced by yourself cuz there are too much to tell at once!!!

  In United State, the holidays are FUN! FUN! FUN! Halloweens! Christmas! Plus we’ll have a lot of days off because of those holidays (that’s why it’s fun!!)    We even celebrate chinese new year!!!!! Actually I think most of the exchanges will be frustrated  at the first several weeks. But it’s gonna be fine!!  JUST CHILL AND ENJOY IT!     

今天學校放假一天，
說是總統節。
我閒閒沒是在家晃，
突然接到另一個的國交換學生,
Giana媽媽的電話，
說他家有一個ladies party,
問我有沒有興趣去做一個有關自己國家的簡介。真是個好機會出去放風。在電話中他提到約有10餘人，
是一個小聚會。我套上半身旗袍，
下搭牛仔褲，
雖是非常不正式。

But our ’shining’ traditional top already out shone the little black spot.There were three of the exchange students doing our performance.
Crisi and Giana went first,they introduce their country, Germany to others.
Then, it was my turn.
I did the powerpoint that I did it twice before.
Speaking to the crowed, not a big deal for me.

 I think the got some of my main points,
1. Taiwan is an independence country
2. The misunderstanding of Taiwan and Thailand.

人, 無論過的再悲慘還是要走下去
 
因為任何的轉機的會出現在自己的面前
 
自己的生活還是要靠自己來爭取改變
 
一切的故事就從密西西比開始吧
 
從文化營和各位戰友分開後
 
獨自一人來到這裡
 
說實在 剛開始沒有家庭就在RD家等
 
後來有家庭了 但是那個『家』 才住沒幾個用
 
就要搬家了.. 對街去 搬家真的很辛苦
 
再轟家的苦心經營
 
前半年 幾乎過的不是很理想
 
大概是我轟家實在太美國了
 
生活好悠哉 完全沒有什麼特別的
 
另外 生活重心全放在她那七歲的兒子上面
 
導致我很多事情都無法去好好處理下去
 
美國小孩 真的實在霹靂無敵討厭 (我家這位)
 
後半年 轟家又有到很多不愉快的事情發生
 
但是比前幾個月好太多了 至少多了個歡笑
 
在學校
 
因為我不能畢業所以就降到11年級去
 
可惜 因為我晚去學校 導致跟一開始跟同學都不熟
 
害我挑課都是錯誤的
 
常常跟認識的人不在同一班
 
雖然如此
 
早上的聊天時光還是很讓人喜歡
 
中午的午餐時間就跟高三的在一起混
 
平常的課堂時間 拼命宣傳台灣食品
 
幾乎嚇倒一片人, 真開心
 
跟同學去看特界摩托車秀 飆車等..
 
實在是讓人無法聯想美國生活的精彩
 
(平時都很無聊)
 
或是看人家去打獵~ (心裡真想去)
 
但是本人沒刀沒槍沒弓 怎樣打獵呢?
 
丟松鼠嗎?? 傻了
 
轟爸媽說太冷就不帶我去了~~
 
可惜!!
 
美國學校的同學
 
真的非常好心也好意
 
但是前提是 必須要讓對方注意到你的存在
 
必須讓對方對你有興趣
 
參加社團就不錯 只可惜…我放學必須回家當傭人使喚= =
 
小孩的保母!!  非常不爽
 
總而言之 雖然剩沒幾個月
 
得到的經驗真的非常寶貴
 
英文的進步也好 人也變得open也好
 
一切的一切都是你無法想像的
 
學會忍耐 才是跨出下一步的關鍵
 
BTW: 我讀書都快讀到煩死了…