A Letter to the Editor from Liyana of Malaysia
From AFSWiki
Dear Editor,
I am an exchange student from Malaysia under the American Field Service (AFS). I have been in Arizona for almost five months now and I enjoyed my stay here very much. In fact, I found it to be a life changing experience! Besides developing more self confidence, I also had tons of fun along the way. It was very interesting for me to personally experienced and find out more about teenage life here in America - it sure is different from Malaysia.
When you become a part of the AFS program, you will learn and experience things that can never be taught in the classroom. I learned how to relate to other people better and to understand others' culture better. I learned that the world is much smaller than I once believed and that the actions of one person can affect the lives of other, sometimes in far away places. I learned that cultural biases and ignorance of the culture of others can lead to events that can negatively affect the lives of many and that each of us should strive to understand and accept each others' differences. It is our diversity that makes the world such an interesting place.
Coming here has made me a better person than before and has opened my eyes wider to great new horizons. I am more the person I always wanted to be. I got one huge backpack full of priceless memories and experiences that I don’t think I would have achieved anywhere else.
My time at Paradise Valley High School has gone by so quickly, and it is now time for me to return to my home country. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers, Ms. Hanson, Ms. Bonney, Coach Fig and Ms. Wilson, for all the help they have given me to make this year so memorable. Thanks also to our principal Cynthia Davis for allowing me to attend school here.
My special thanks to all the students who took the time to help me make the adjustment to a US high school. Overcoming language and cultural differences was not always easy, but through your understanding, I not only improved my English skills, but felt a part of the student body
I encourage each of you to become a host brother or sister to an AFS student - perhaps becoming an AFS student yourself! There is no better way to learn about another culture than by being an exchange student or hosting one. I guarantee it is an experience that will broaden your world and enrich your family in unimaginable ways. (For more information about AFS, go to www.afs.org/usa or call your local volunteer).
Of course, most of all I want to thank Joy and Bob Baber for taking me into their home and for loving me. I was a part of the family. My family has learned about me and Malaysia. They have given their support to help me blend in my new life here, I don’t feel homesick at all. I will never forget you two.
Although we are separated by vast oceans and continents, we love, grieve, cry, and hoped in the same language, that of the human language of emotion. I will always be appreciative of the opportunities that have come my way through the AFS program.
Terima kasih (thank you) and “Go Trojans!”
Liyana Zainuddin
AFS Exchange Student
Malaysia
