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I never wanted to become a teacher. Since the very first time I went to
school, I decided that it was very difficult and not for me at all. But
never say "never"!
On November 28, together with some other exchange students I went to Stanton
Elementary school to speak to the students about my country: Moldova.
Before
going there I was very anxious and a little bit nervous--how was it going
to be? They are so young and I have never been a teacher! I was really
proud that I got 3rd graders--big people!
When
I entered the class and saw my students, I understood--I could work with
them! Ms. Campbell, a very nice young lady and teacher, introduced me
to class, and asked for my help teaching them Math. While she was working
with one part of the class, I worked with the other. My students didn't
know a lot of things but they were eager to learn stuff. Later, they were
completing a test and I helped some of them to solve it (of course the
teacher didn't know!). Then, we went to school cafeteria to have lunch.
Each student wanted to hold my hand. It frustrated me so much, 'cause
I didn't want to offend anybody. They fought to sit next to me and ask
me questions.
When we returned to class, I spoke to them about Moldova. First, I didn't
know what to tell them--what can be interesting for small children? Of
course, not relief and climate! But, I was mistaken. Later, when they
relaxed they asked me the whole bunch of questions including: climate,
relief, my exchange program, and the way to the USA across the ocean.
I talked to them about the population of Moldova, its traditions, language,
etc. The 3rd graders asked me to speak to them in different languages
and to write down their names. I was really shocked to answer the question
of one boy, who asked me: "Are there Africans in your country and
do you have racial discrimination?" The funniest thing was when a
girl asked me if she could come to my country the next day. I'm sure she
didn't understand that Moldova is far away from the USA.
The school day was over. I had to go home, but I didn't want to leave
them.
What are your favorite subjects to study in the
U.S.?
I think my favorite subjects in school are U.S. History and English.
Maybe it’s just because I've always loved these subjects, but I
love it here even more because of the great teachers that I have right
now and because of great classes. But I actually also like my contemporary
issues class very much, where we do tons of projects and essays about
today's issues, like the war on terrorism, and so on. This is so great!
What are your favorite extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports,
organizations, events, etc.)?
At school I'm involved in debate club and, separately, on a debate team
(forensic league). I like it so much--it is really great!
What has been your most enjoyable experience in the U.S. so far?
I think that the most enjoyable experiences in USA were my very first
days here. I learned so much and I could feel that it was a totally
new world for me--new opportunities, new experiences. That was just
awesome! I don't think I've ever felt like that!
What has been the most difficult part of living in the U.S.?
Maybe the most difficult part of living in the U.S. was when I started
to miss home around October; but it didn't last so long and very soon
I was ok. But I was sort of upset those days--not because something
was wrong, but maybe because that was that moment when I realized that
I was almost 5,000 miles away from my friends and my family. But I think
every exchange student has this period, and hopefully mine was over
2 months ago!
What are some of the major differences & similarities that you
have seen between Russia and the U.S. (people, culture, etc.)?
I found a lot of differences in the U.S. There are a lot of totally
new holidays and foods. Then it is relationships between people--sometimes
I find it more official here (it is just different). Another difference
is that all American life on the weekends is concentrated in malls--teens
and adults hang out in malls every weekend. It is kind of a center where
all unofficial and informal life is concentrated! Of course there are
a lot more differences, but those are ones that I think for me were
totally different.
What do you hope to learn from this year?
I hope to become more open and communicative. I want to develop more
social skills in myself. For me it will be like a school of life; it
will teach me how to live almost independently, and how to adapt in
a totally new culture and society. I also hope to improve my level of
English. My third aim is to know another culture.
How do you plan to fill your role as a student ambassador?
In school when people ask me about life in Russia, I always try to analyze
my response before answering, just to give a full and absolutely correct
answer for people. I also (I think) succeeded in breaking stereotypes.
I brought some books about Russia. I talk with some students a lot about
Russia and Russian culture, and of course I represent my country every
day. My host family has asked me about Russia and now they know so much
about my country. My target here is to show the real Russia, and just
give people an understanding of my country. I have to be a reliable
source of information for people, and I also have to be prepared to
answer on all their questions!
How will you use the knowledge and experience you gained from this year
when you return home next summer?
Of course I will spend hours with my family, friends, teachers, and
relatives talking about my year here! I will give people much information
about the USA and its culture. Secondly, it will help me to communicate
with people. Thirdly, I hope that my level of English will be much better
this summer, thus it will be easier for me to pass exams in English
when I will apply for university. I hope that I also will have opportunity
to use my skills of communication in my future job!
Do you have any advice for other FLEX students?
Yes i have some advice. FLEX students, I know that most of us miss home
and families, but don't do it! We came here not to miss our families,
but to learn about another culture and another country. It is great
opportunity--use it! You must take the best of what America can give
us to our own countries! Another piece of advice: We should try to make
a lot of friends, and not think so much about getting diploma and becoming
a senior, it is not such a big loss.
Nataliya is from Kiev in the Ukraine and has lived there
her whole life with the exception of this year in the United States. Her
hobbies include ballroom and Latin American dancing. Additionally, she
enjoys sports, acting and travelling. Her travel adventures include Italy,
Germany, France and Great Britain. She hopes to visit Greece, Italy and
Sweden in the future.
Prior to coming to America, I started thinking about volunteerism, because
while thinking about my future family, I couldn’t help but wonder
“Why would a family decide to accept an exchange student and share
everything they have?” The answer was volunteerism. This family
volunteered to support me in all of my needs to make my stay in America
as beneficial as possible. This has become an important social issue
for me. I realize that there are many different opportunities to volunteer,
not just a family opening their home to me, but also, being willing
to give and share all that you have, whether it be your time, love,
support or effort.
Although we do have some volunteers in the Ukraine, I believe that America
leads the way in volunteerism. I believe this because I read how people
stood in line because they were eager to donate their blood to the victims
of 9/11. Many volunteers left their families and their careers behind
to go and save the lives of people they did not even know. Even though
September 11, 2001 was a day that the world would never forget, it is
also the day that the volunteers in America demonstrated to the world
what one will give of one’s self to those in need. America shined.
Because of America’s volunteers I associate volunteerism with the
idea “to share of one’s self”.
My experiences in America have not only given me knowledge about volunteerism,
but have also given me a chance to become a volunteer. My own experience
of volunteerism was in a men’s shelter for alcoholics and drug
abusers. Along with thirty other teenagers, I talked to the men to let
them know that we truly cared about their wellbeing and that hope was
still alive. We served them lunch and then spent time talking to them
about their experiences and why they were in their current situations.
Not only did I learn firsthand what it is like to be a volunteer, I
now understand how important it is in America and throughout the world
to have people who are willing to give of themselves.
It is one thing to have the theoretical knowledge of how a system works,
but it is another to be involved in the system that feels and finds
specific ways to help people. The desire and internal reward must be
felt in order to understand the true commitment that volunteers are
making. I was amazed to discover how many people are involved in community
projects, charities, and other service oriented organizations just within
the region of North Carolina where I am living for the year. What amazes
me more, however, is that volunteerism is not as encouraged as it could
be. If there were a way to pass a bill to allow for volunteers to be
rewarded or at least not penalized for helping others, many more people
would become volunteers. Rather than rewarding employees for being volunteers,
many corporations penalize them by forcing volunteer time to be subtracted
from their time away from work banks.
I believe that people should care and not ignore any social, political,
or economic issue. We have to be active and take part in order to make
change happen. If we feel that we can change something for the better,
we should at least try, because our lives are affected by many of these
issues. If people generate and suggest better solutions to implement
good ideas somewhere else in the world, but do not take the time to
look at their own communities, then we don’t do anything to change
our lives, or those of our neighbors.
"Open up! Try to make as many friends right when
you arrive!"
"Be really prepared! The main part of it is not the language, it
is the people. Try to understand the people in the very beginning because
they are really different from those in your home country. If you do
the same things you did at home it is going to get you in trouble!"
"Be Patient! Try to fit into the culture--feel a part of it. Try
to learn as much as you can about American culture. Chill and try to
be happy!"
"Don't think that living here is easy. Be prepared to have hard
times. The U.S. is not all about fun--studying is the the reason you
are here. Never forget this!"
"Do not worry if you are homesick. You can do it! This could be
your only chance to go to the U.S., so don't waste it!"
"Don't come thinking that America is expecting you with its arms
wide open. You'll meet a lot of difficulties and challenges here, and
you need to prepare yourself to deal with them."
"Be patient, friendly, open-minded, and flexible."
"Be active in school. Talk to family members, friends and other
people."
"Come with a 'free' mind. Be open to new things and experiences.
Be Outgoing. Don't lose time--it goes by really fast!"
"Be ready for everything and be bold!"
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