#Throwback: The USA Experience

Way back in high school, I was just a simple student with simple dreams. Basically, what I did was go to class, skip sometimes and hang out with my friends. What I wanted most back then was to get away from school. But never in my wildest imagination that I will get away for real. Never had I dream of going out of the country and step into the "Land of Opportunities". But yes, I have been to the U.S. of A. I know it's impossible for a not-so-rich kid like me because now I myself can not believe it. However, it happened and it's one of the "bestest". I don't even know if there is a word "bestest", but that's how would I describe it.  So, I am Johnson "John" Badawi and this is the story of my adventure in America.

So the story goes like this: 

Back in my junior days, my friends and I loved to skip classes. I would make any excuses just to get out of class and I think I was a genius for it because it was always effective. So upon hearing about an application and interview thing going on for an exchange and study program to the U.S.A. called the KL-YES AFS Program, I did not hesitate to try for it since I know for sure that I would be excused in my classes. And partly, I wanted to stroll in the city. I think there were 20 of us from my school and over a hundred participants from other schools. I can still recall that day. It was a gloomy and rainy day. Eventually, I got interviewed. Two fluent English speakers asked me about me, the Philippines, culture, peace, and leadership. I answered to the best of my knowledge. After a month, my mom received a call from AFS saying that I passed and I am one of the finalists. Everyone was so happy for me while I was shocked. I mean, I didn't expect to pass in the first place. The next thing I know, I was preparing for my leave. The 8th of August 2010, I flew to the United States. There were 40 of us from the Philippines, by the way.

I, together with my Filipino exchange student buddies, spent our first week at 4-H Hotel in Washington, DC. I got the chance to see the beauty of Washington DC because the staff of the program toured us. I saw the Abraham Lincoln statue, Pentagon, Potomac River, and the White House. Each one of us was to be hosted in one of the states for a year with a hosting American family. I was hosted in Troy Mills, Iowa. After a week in DC, I had another flight. This time it was bound to my state, Iowa. It was a very tiring flight. Not to mention, I was fasting at that time because it so happened that my first day at my place was also the first day of Ramadan for Muslims. Upon reaching the airport, I saw placards and billboards with words like "Welcome to the State with Five Seasons". Then, I asked my self "Is this really happening?". I even pinched myself just to see if it's real and it was. So, I met the family. They were the Rechkemmer family. My host mom Lynette and my host dad Brain were there to welcome me. Lynette took me home while Brian went to work. Along the 30 minutes drive, I enjoyed the view of the cornfields. I realized then that I am really a million miles away from home which made me sad. Finally, we reached home. I met my two host brothers, Nathan and Dalton. They were really nice. They even showed me around the house. Expectedly, I barely understood them and the other way around. For a first timer like me was a bit hard understanding their language since their accent is so much different from mine. I was in nosebleed. All I can say back then was "No", "Yes" and "What?". The rest was just like babbling. It was a tough first day, as expected.

On the other hand, my first day of school was also a bit rough. Everyone was looking at me in a weird manner. Maybe because I was new or my SpongeBob shirt was just attractive. The latter seemed unreasonable so I'll take the "I am new". I was really pressured. I mean, in the first place I barely know someone. My nervousness came to a point that I wanted to break down and cry but glad I didn't. I convinced my self that everything will turn out fine and eventually it did. Good thing I know how to smile because it earned me friends. In fact, I was known in my town as the kid who smiles a lot. My friends introduced me to everyone and showed me around the school. Days after that and I started to be myself again. The fitting in process was on its way. Months after, I started to blend in fully. The next thing I know, I was invited to parties and sleepovers. I made real friends and started to hang out with them. Movie theaters were our favorite place to go to. Sometimes, I went bowling with them. The same thing happened in my family. I started to feel "at home". Every Friday, we would go watch football games and eat outside. I think I have been to every fast food in America. The adoption stage took time but it apparently happened.

My favorite part about the whole American experience was being able to see and experience winter snow. It was on November that I had my first snow experience. I was in school at that time in PE class.  My mom Lynette told me that morning that it might pour snow which pumped me up for the day. While on class, everybody was asking me if I had seen snow before (which they knew exactly the answer) and that it was snowing. I was so happy but I was playing it cool. I was like "Oh really, cool". But inside of me was shouting with joy. So when I got home I took my camera and took pictures of myself with the snow. It was freezing that time but I didn't care anyway. It was super exciting. Other exciting things I did back in the USA include ice skating, skiing, sliding and traveling. I have been to the 11 states, by the way. I joined the choir and the speech club. I played soccer. I learned how to bake cookies and cake, drive, mow lawns, play football and paint.  I improved my accent from a Filipino accent to a Midwestern accent. I also got the chance to experience American Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Valentines which is so different from how we do it here in the Philippines. In addition, I got to meet people from all over the globe such as Brazilians, Spanish, Bulgarians, Germans, Africans, Koreans, Japanese and many more. It taught me how to respect differences. This experience made me culturally aware. Moreover, this experience allowed me to make lifetime real friends. In fact, until now they still contact me. In a way, it makes me feel proud of myself.

It will honestly take a thick book to enumerate the things I did in the US. This is just the gist. This experience changed me from a simple student to a global citizen. Every bit of knowledge and skills I learned helps me now in different ways. I never regretted any of it even it costs me a year of my schooling. Now, I am back in the Philippines. But not a thing changed between me and my American friends. I miss them so much but I am holding on to the fact that sooner I will reacquaint with them. I am so thrilled about going to the US. Do you get it now why I described it "bestest". I bet you do. And that's the story of my America adventure.

*A requirement for English 2 class.