Miracles do happen!
"Believe that you have it, and you'll have it." True! It's all about believing in yourself and understanding your capabilities. Never set goals too high, start from low. Search for opportunities, as they're not served to you in a plate and once you have the right choice in mind, strive to acheive it. And believe me miracles do happen!
I, Azima Zaidi, was an ordinary high school student from Pakistan. I had everything that an ordinary kid of my age would have but there was a feeling inside of me: the feeling to do something in life so later on people could look up to me for my achievements. I decided to challenge myself and do something unusual. The definition of challenge is same worldwide, but it's intensity varies depending on the person. For me studying abroad was my biggest dream and to make it happen all I had to do was some research and consult a couple of people. One of our family friends told me about the K-L YES (Kennedy Lugar Youth exchange and study) program that helped me fulfill my dream about studying in U.S for one year. The process was long, it took a lot of effort and hard work of many people but it was the determination that kept me going! I was selected amongst 107 talented kids from Pakistan. It appeared all like a dream to me, a dream I have been waiting for. I along with my group left for U.S on 11th September, 2011 cheering out loud, ready for a lifetime journey! Before our arrival to host families, we had a one week orientation in Washington D.C so it was not until 15th September 2011 that I landed at Eugene airport, my eyes curiously searching for my host family. There they were: my host mom, my liaison and two of my most favorite people of all; my headmaster Bob and Buck. From that day onwards things took a smooth turn. It seemed everything happened for good.
I can't express the joy I felt after meeting my pet dogs and cats. Yes, my host family had two dogs and two cats. In my host family I had a host mom Harriet, dad John, sister Ellen and brother Jeff. Moving on, there were many things that had to be organized. The basic neccessities: school items, winter clothes, a rain coat etc. Next in list was a visit to my american high school " Oak Hill", a small, private school in Eugene. It turned out pretty well. Everyday was a busy day in my host family. It was not until my school started that my routine got settled, other wise my host family was always ready to take me out for an adventure, which I loved! On my first day of school, I was successful in making a bunch of new friends and was selected as the head of the student representative council for foreign students. I know, can't believe it myself. For fun I took drama class, art and joined year book club. This proved to be a great way of increasing my social circle. I couldn't have ended up in a better place than Eugene. Yes it was a perfect place for me as it was environment friendly and as being an adult with disability I got to try out new sports that I had never imagined before. for instance, my host mom bought me a bike. My very own bike that I rode every morning. Not just that, I also applied for skiing classes, went swimming with my host mom, went camping and let's not forget the activities I did with MIUSA (Mobility International U.S.A). With MIUSA, we did all kind of fun and challenging activities which required us to 'figure things out'. There were all sorts of kids with disablility: blind, deaf and physically challenged. No matter how different we all were, there was one thing in common: 'enthusiasm'. We all went bowling, swimming, experienced challenge course, visited other high schools in the district which provide facilities for disabled students(that unfortunately we dont have in our country). Working in garden to grow food for needy people, bike riding etc. My room mate was blind and I got to learn so much from her. I guess that's the best part about this exchange program; learning from others. After MIUSA week was over, I had to go for the Sky Camp ( Orientation for all AFS kids from Eugene and nearby areas) for the whole weekend. My host sister accompanied me since she was volunteering there. That too helped me get connected with people from several cultural backgrounds and gave me an opportunity to share mine.
I can't express the joy I felt after meeting my pet dogs and cats. Yes, my host family had two dogs and two cats. In my host family I had a host mom Harriet, dad John, sister Ellen and brother Jeff. Moving on, there were many things that had to be organized. The basic neccessities: school items, winter clothes, a rain coat etc. Next in list was a visit to my american high school " Oak Hill", a small, private school in Eugene. It turned out pretty well. Everyday was a busy day in my host family. It was not until my school started that my routine got settled, other wise my host family was always ready to take me out for an adventure, which I loved! On my first day of school, I was successful in making a bunch of new friends and was selected as the head of the student representative council for foreign students. I know, can't believe it myself. For fun I took drama class, art and joined year book club. This proved to be a great way of increasing my social circle. I couldn't have ended up in a better place than Eugene. Yes it was a perfect place for me as it was environment friendly and as being an adult with disability I got to try out new sports that I had never imagined before. for instance, my host mom bought me a bike. My very own bike that I rode every morning. Not just that, I also applied for skiing classes, went swimming with my host mom, went camping and let's not forget the activities I did with MIUSA (Mobility International U.S.A). With MIUSA, we did all kind of fun and challenging activities which required us to 'figure things out'. There were all sorts of kids with disablility: blind, deaf and physically challenged. No matter how different we all were, there was one thing in common: 'enthusiasm'. We all went bowling, swimming, experienced challenge course, visited other high schools in the district which provide facilities for disabled students(that unfortunately we dont have in our country). Working in garden to grow food for needy people, bike riding etc. My room mate was blind and I got to learn so much from her. I guess that's the best part about this exchange program; learning from others. After MIUSA week was over, I had to go for the Sky Camp ( Orientation for all AFS kids from Eugene and nearby areas) for the whole weekend. My host sister accompanied me since she was volunteering there. That too helped me get connected with people from several cultural backgrounds and gave me an opportunity to share mine.
Time goes hastily in Oregon. Trust me. Everyone felt that way, so I thought to make the best out of my exchange year. My week ends were always engaged, either in school events or with host family. Luckily you get to learn and celebrate American festivities like Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving. As Halloween approached, I started wandering around to find my costume. With my host sister's help I managed to find one. I was a peacock fairy! Americans love celebrating Halloween, I can say by the way they get so involved. Their costumes, parties, dances and songs are amazing. It wasn't long until December arrived. We made a plan to spend Christmas in Sandiego at my host uncle's house. We went on a train, and what a magnificent view it was. Although it was a one week tour, we tasted flavors of every activity possible. A day before Christmas, we all went to Disney Land and stayed there for fourteen hours. Literally! Next day we visited Sandiego zoo. One of the best zoos I've visited so far. Although it was cold, I had a great time. There were other places too to visit: museums, parks, restaurants, and going for Christmas tree shopping. Just two days before we arrived back to Eugene, we had to go visit my host sister in Portland for New Year. Yaee! I was happy to welcome the coming year with open arms and what joyed me more was the arrival of my birthday. How exciting! As my host mom was originally from Tennessee, she loved and was an expert at making southern desserts. So she made me strawberry, heart shaped cake for my Valentine's birthday. It was delicious and fancy looking! We invited over some family friends to enjoy cake and ice cream together. The best thing I liked about my year was the way I waited for things to happen. Everyday I had things planned. For that my host mom gave me a calendar and asked me to write all the appointments down just to be on track. It actually worked. Throughout the year I had events planned. Occasionally an AFS volunteer would take several kids on a road trip to different venues in Oregon so we could learn about Native American culture. Our last trip was to "Indian Reservation" where we stayed at a hotel for a night, it was beautiful. On some weekends when my host parents had time off from their busy schedule, they would take me out to watch stage performances, concerts, saturday market, movie theatres, sports etc. My good luck followed me all the way through. Miss Katherine from U.S Department of State came to Eugene to attend MIUSA's meeting. Before she left we invited her over for dinner at our house. Our first meeting proved quite fruitful as she was impressed to see my year proceeding so successfully. She even decided to write a short article on me regarding the activities that I've done all year long and paste it on the website.I even showed her my art work. She loved it! I got a chance to meet wonderful people where ever I went. People who cared.
Life was moving on perfectly. So perfect I would have forzen the time if I had to. Why perfect? Because I was living my dream and that my success was following my footsteps. My selection in the CEW (Civic education workshop) along with other YES students was not less of an accomplishment. It was no doubt a wonderful opportunity to visit several important monuments in Washington D.C and learn about the government system in U.S. It was a memorable experience. I had the time of my life! Getting in was hard as we had to write an essay and with that fill out several forms, what not but I'm glad it's all done. It was for a week, so after I came back I was busy getting all my school work done. Same week we had 'Equinox Festival' in which international univeristy kids came to our school and gave presentations about their respective countries. I was eager to learn from them so I asked plenty of questions. The days went on until our school's trip arrived to Ashland,OR. Ashland is best known for its plays and that's exactly why we went there. We saw two Shakespeare's plays and came back the next day.
The last two days of school that week, we had a competition in which we had to select a product and advertise it through a 2min commercial, designing a poster ad and giving a presentation infront of the judges. Luckily my team won and so we were awarded! I miss those days. In order to celebrate, my host family took me out to see Roller Derby. It's quite a physical sport and looks painful but it was fun to watch. I was the guest of honor and also got signed autographs from the team members. They announced my name infront of everyone which made my cheeks blush a bit, but it was worth it. By the time we came out it was dark. What a fine way to end the day!
The last two days of school that week, we had a competition in which we had to select a product and advertise it through a 2min commercial, designing a poster ad and giving a presentation infront of the judges. Luckily my team won and so we were awarded! I miss those days. In order to celebrate, my host family took me out to see Roller Derby. It's quite a physical sport and looks painful but it was fun to watch. I was the guest of honor and also got signed autographs from the team members. They announced my name infront of everyone which made my cheeks blush a bit, but it was worth it. By the time we came out it was dark. What a fine way to end the day!
Days were moving on and time to return back home was getting nearer. It's not only me, others felt it too. I was anxious to see my family after so long, but leaving everyone back was gloomy. Two weeks before we all had to leave to for D.C I got back from Houston, TX. I was there to get my new prosthetic hands and legs. My trip was short, and believe me leaving Eugene's weather behind was very tough. It was a fun experience though. I received beautiful hands and tall legs. It feels good! It was in a matter of weeks that I had to give my finals, say goodbyes to everyone and finish my packing. That's the hard part. Packing seems to take forever and deciding what to pack is even worse. My host mom was gone for some days for her work, so my host sister came to visit me. It was father's day so Ellen and I went for father's day shopping. I bought him chocolates while she decided to give him a card. We three celebrated the special day with ice cream on a bright, sunny day. She left after a day and I carried on with the packing. Then comes the part to say goodbyes. I dont like that word. When it's obvious that it's time to say good bye, time flies faster than it should. I prepared myself to bid farewell to my host parents, host community, my friends, my school, my neighbors and all those who helped me make my year memorable .
My flight was early in the morning. My host mom took so many pictures of me at the airport and came all the way to the aircraft to hug me goodbye. I tried 'really' hard not to cry and the best way I could do that is not to look directly into my mom's eyes. I thanked them for all their help and there I was, flying back to D.C for our last orientation. Meeting some of my Pakistani friends at the airport made me feel better, after all we all were going through the same scenerio. Orientation in D.C was fun. We met some of our alumni, which was great. Some kids were anxiously waiting to see their families. I was too. Finally after three days of work, we all were set free to go back to Pakistan. I was so glad to see my country, my homeland! We all were successfully back on the 25th June 2012, not as YES participants but as YES alumni. I am so proud of my country and its youth. This life changing experience wouldn't have been possible without the help and support of many people, especially Mam Farah Kamal and Sir Irfan. We'll serve our country as active participants of the YES alumni network!
My flight was early in the morning. My host mom took so many pictures of me at the airport and came all the way to the aircraft to hug me goodbye. I tried 'really' hard not to cry and the best way I could do that is not to look directly into my mom's eyes. I thanked them for all their help and there I was, flying back to D.C for our last orientation. Meeting some of my Pakistani friends at the airport made me feel better, after all we all were going through the same scenerio. Orientation in D.C was fun. We met some of our alumni, which was great. Some kids were anxiously waiting to see their families. I was too. Finally after three days of work, we all were set free to go back to Pakistan. I was so glad to see my country, my homeland! We all were successfully back on the 25th June 2012, not as YES participants but as YES alumni. I am so proud of my country and its youth. This life changing experience wouldn't have been possible without the help and support of many people, especially Mam Farah Kamal and Sir Irfan. We'll serve our country as active participants of the YES alumni network!
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