One of the Best Experiences for a High School Student

Participating in an exchange program was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had, and also one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only was it super fun to be able to see another country and the different culture, but being able to interact with others in a language I only partially know was one of the most difficult yet amazing things a high school student can do. This program helped me earn an appreciation for Japanese--and languages in general--and come to a realization that while language barrier is most certainly a difficultly, communication is still more than achievable. My host sister and I had a conversation--though it took us a while to communicate our different points--about Japan's and America's governments. Despite the fact that we both grew up in very different places with very different cultures, we shared many of the same opinions regarding rather controversial topics. That's the moment that I realized we're all rather alike, no matter where we come from. I'm so thankful to YFU for giving the opportunity to have this life-changing experience where I made so many amazing friends and learned more about the world.