kimj321
Dec 13, 2010
Undergraduate / From South Korea to My Albany host parents [2]
When I was in 9th grade in South Korea, my parents asked me and my brother to experience being an exchange student to United States because they wanted us to see the bigger world and have a bigger dream. After researching and considering the exchange student program, I decided to study abroad, but my brother did not. Thus, when I went to America, I was alone. In that time, I thought it would be fun and exciting without thinking about homesickness, communication with strangers and a new environment. I soon learned, however, that I would be facing many challenges that I had not anticipated. In the first few weeks in United States, I tried to adjust to my new environment in Louisville, Kentucky. When I went to Doss High School, I felt I was not part of this world because every people stared at me and talked to me with strange words that I could not understand. I had a hard time making new friends and do my homework because I could not completely understand what people said and meant. After three months, I made new friends and finally I was able to communicate with people. This gave me confidence and it taught me the value of perseverance. After I adjusted to my new environment, I enjoyed school life in Louisville, but at the end of the year, I decided to take on a new challenge. I transferred to a private school in upstate New York that was more academically regions.
Near the end of my Kentucky life my parents asked whether I wanted to study abroad or came back to Korea. First, I thought I would not want to have the same experience that had in Kentucky, again, but I changed my mind to stay in United States because I was tired of the education system in Korea, which forces students to stay until night to study under teachers' eyes. I moved near Albany to go Albany Academy which used to be a military school. Unlike the public school in Kentucky, everyone wore uniforms and had a nice haircut. On the first day, I talked to many students who were interested in me as a foreign student. They asked about my cultural background, and they were friendly compared to students that I met in Kentucky. Life in Albany was smooth. I joined Cadet Corps which continues military school's tradition. Cadet Corps do three marching events, marching for 9/1, walk for Frankie and Veterans Day, many fund raising and most of school events every year: We sell car wash tickets for raising money for our needs and giving charity. We bring flags out for football and basketball home games. I learned a responsibility by marching and playing beats on downtown, Albany as I was one of drum line members.
All of this American experience would be impossible without helps from nice host families. Even though I had a hard time to learn American culture from my Kentucky host family in the beginning, I learned American manners; I need to put down a toilet cover for women after I do my business in a bathroom and nicely arrange my cover after I get out my bed. My Albany host family is really supportable for my academic works, college visit and my sports. My Albany host parents ask me how I am doing in the classes, ask for helping my writing that I am not good at and pick me up after my sports. They are always glad to take me to any college that I want to see near New York.
I am now looking for the rest adventure that will be challenge for me. Though challenge comes with danger, I am ready to take the risk and find new value of my life, which will bring more excitement and success. Maybe my next adventure will be a college life.
feel free to make correction and give a tip.
When I was in 9th grade in South Korea, my parents asked me and my brother to experience being an exchange student to United States because they wanted us to see the bigger world and have a bigger dream. After researching and considering the exchange student program, I decided to study abroad, but my brother did not. Thus, when I went to America, I was alone. In that time, I thought it would be fun and exciting without thinking about homesickness, communication with strangers and a new environment. I soon learned, however, that I would be facing many challenges that I had not anticipated. In the first few weeks in United States, I tried to adjust to my new environment in Louisville, Kentucky. When I went to Doss High School, I felt I was not part of this world because every people stared at me and talked to me with strange words that I could not understand. I had a hard time making new friends and do my homework because I could not completely understand what people said and meant. After three months, I made new friends and finally I was able to communicate with people. This gave me confidence and it taught me the value of perseverance. After I adjusted to my new environment, I enjoyed school life in Louisville, but at the end of the year, I decided to take on a new challenge. I transferred to a private school in upstate New York that was more academically regions.
Near the end of my Kentucky life my parents asked whether I wanted to study abroad or came back to Korea. First, I thought I would not want to have the same experience that had in Kentucky, again, but I changed my mind to stay in United States because I was tired of the education system in Korea, which forces students to stay until night to study under teachers' eyes. I moved near Albany to go Albany Academy which used to be a military school. Unlike the public school in Kentucky, everyone wore uniforms and had a nice haircut. On the first day, I talked to many students who were interested in me as a foreign student. They asked about my cultural background, and they were friendly compared to students that I met in Kentucky. Life in Albany was smooth. I joined Cadet Corps which continues military school's tradition. Cadet Corps do three marching events, marching for 9/1, walk for Frankie and Veterans Day, many fund raising and most of school events every year: We sell car wash tickets for raising money for our needs and giving charity. We bring flags out for football and basketball home games. I learned a responsibility by marching and playing beats on downtown, Albany as I was one of drum line members.
All of this American experience would be impossible without helps from nice host families. Even though I had a hard time to learn American culture from my Kentucky host family in the beginning, I learned American manners; I need to put down a toilet cover for women after I do my business in a bathroom and nicely arrange my cover after I get out my bed. My Albany host family is really supportable for my academic works, college visit and my sports. My Albany host parents ask me how I am doing in the classes, ask for helping my writing that I am not good at and pick me up after my sports. They are always glad to take me to any college that I want to see near New York.
I am now looking for the rest adventure that will be challenge for me. Though challenge comes with danger, I am ready to take the risk and find new value of my life, which will bring more excitement and success. Maybe my next adventure will be a college life.
feel free to make correction and give a tip.