My Life in the U.S.

by Kristyna from Czech Republic

From now on, I’m entirely dependent on myself and responsible for my actions. Once I boarded the plane from Prague, I realized that this was it: I had made the final decision of stepping out into the world to prove that I was ready to care of myself. The feeling of increased independence and self-responsibility has accompanied me throughout my entire year in the U.S. By leaving the Czech Republic, I had abandoned the past 17 years of my life, but a new and exciting world had opened up before me. Since I have lived in four different countries with my family, going to the U.S. was not such a dramatic decision as for most fellow exchange students. Nevertheless, for the first time I was going to live without my family and I realized that leaving my country and leaving my family were two very different things and the latter would be a new experience even for me.

Along with this I realized many other things. For one, I did not expect to feel as much “at home” as when I had traveled with my own family. I always believed in the motto, “Wherever my family is—that’s home!” But my host family, neighbors, and other people around me have made me feel so welcomed, that soon I realized the true definition of “home.” Home is where everyone feels happy, and one can have more than a single place to call his or her home. Over the past year, I have learned to call Doylestown my second home. Throughout my exchange year, I have experienced joyful occasions which will forever remain imprinted in my memory.

Throughout my year of explorations and discoveries, I’ve walked across numerous crossroads and at times stopped in hesitation; occasionally I got jammed up in traffic, but always found my way out; I came upon several bridges leading to yet new and more exciting places; I faced several inevitable and important decisions and learned from both success and mistakes. My cultural exploration included trips to attractive destinations such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Maine, Niagara Falls; and experiences such as sporting events (even a Phillies game!). Despite the uniqueness of my “visual” experience, they have not been the most valuable experiences for me. The most important lessons that I have learned were inspired by the American culture and by my new independence and self-responsibility. Both have noticeably contributed to the growth of my personality.

American culture has opened up to me its inspiring values such as unusual friendliness, openness, and a strong and coherent society. I have learned that many stereotypes about Americans are hardly true, but one that I can certainly confirm is the people’s liberal, individual, and relaxed approach to life. I personally believe that the main reason behind American optimism, happiness, and tolerance is the “melting pot,” which has taught Americans to be accepting and respectful of all cultures and to build bridges between these cultures. I have been much inspired by these values and I, myself, hope to spread the construction of these bridges when I return to a part of the world where bridges are just as needed. These bridges not only connect groups of people, but also individuals, as they create stronger and trustful bonds between people. I have always been fascinated by the study of cultures and the way they interact and conflict with each other. How is it that in so many countries like China, Russia, Iraq, or Israel; ethnic, religious, and other differences cause such tragic collisions, but in the United States—a nest of practically all of the world’s cultures—they have learned to live side by side in peace? Others in the world should learn to value the distinctions that make various groups of people interesting instead of using the differences as an excuse for justifying conflicts.

My year has been like a long journey without a guide or map. A foreign exchange program is not only a journey of exploring a new country and culture, but also a journey of exploring oneself and finding one’s place in the world. On this journey, there have been many exciting stops and I’ve also undergone a significant personality growth. In my country, turning eighteen is a very special birthday, as one becomes a fully responsible adult in every legal way (driving, drinking, and other rights and responsibilities). I turned eighteen soon after my arrival in the U.S. Never before had I felt a dramatic internal change on my birthday. I remember a very peculiar feeling and awareness of maturity and an increased sense of responsibility and self-confidence in realizing my goals in life. I asked my friends if it they felt similar when they had turned eighteen, but I learned that neither of them registered any significant internal change. One of my friends noted that the reason for this was that for the first time I was fully standing on my own feet without the interference of those whose guidance and support I had been accustomed to all my life. I was therefore realizing my independence and finding my place in the world.

My year as an exchange student has shown me the truly significant values in life, independence, courage, responsibility, friendliness, kindness, tolerance, flexibility, self-respect, and most importantly—respect for others. Respect for friends, enemies, family, teachers, superiors, inferiors, neighbors, strangers passing on the street, and different cultures. Some features of the American culture have inspired me, and others have taught me to value certain aspects of my own culture more.

During this year, I have certainly mentally aged more than any other year of my life. I will always remember this year as the year during which I made the biggest step in the shortest period of time. It is an experience I will always treasure in my heart and certainly encourage others to open that door into the world and have the courage to step out and walk through it…just as I did.

During my exchange year in the U.S. I have… …made new friends …

…and a new family.

I experienced typical American celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.

explored exciting places such as N.Y.C. ( and even made it to the Times Square wall of fame!)

I also worked hard, did community service and learned the power of team work in helping others.

I also worked hard, did community service and learned the power of team work in helping others. We spread school spirit during sport events (especially American footballl games) and cheered with the crowd in wind and rain.

I learned the ups and downs of babysitting (and loved both playing and arguing with kids!). I weighed the values of both mine and the American culture… but never forgot who was I was and proudly represented my country.