“I started studying at a normal school, I have never attended any private school. I also studied English at school with the teacher, like all students.
At the age of 16, he went to the United States
Since childhood I was interested in languages, it was easy for me to learn them. At the time when I flew to the USA, I already knew English, I also knew German well, and I was also fluent in Latvian and Russian. I also really like sports, I have always been involved in volleyball or basketball games. I also regularly run for fun.”
At the time of the conversation, Ksenia was 18 years old, but she left for the USA at the age of 16. Before traveling to America, she lived in Riga and studied in the 10th high school.
Currently studying in high school in Madrid
She is currently in high school in Madrid, Spain. Since not all schools in Latvia accept the year spent in high school in the USA, most likely the girl would have to study another year in the same class. “So I decided it would be better to study at a school abroad.”
In Latvia, Ksenia finished the 10th grade, but in the USA she studied in the 12th grade. She is currently studying 11th grade subjects in Madrid, and plans to continue studying in 12th grade in Spain next year.
Photo: from a private archive
I was glad that I was able to get a scholarship
Why did she choose to study in Madrid this year? “My father lives relatively nearby. He moved to the Canary Islands about four years ago.
More importantly, I won a scholarship at the Madrid school. My family would not be able to pay all my tuition fees without the scholarship.”
English is also taught in Spain
Currently, Ksenia is studying in English at a school in Madrid, as she is studying an international program. You can also learn Spanish in it, but it is not mandatory.
“The program envisages learning two languages. The first language is the mother tongue, but the school does not offer lessons in Russian or Latvian. English, Spanish and French only. Of these three languages, I only knew English.
On the other hand, I chose German as my second language because I could learn it from an intermediate level, not the very basics.”
The first experience was very painful
Why did Ksenia dream of going to the USA when she was still studying in primary school in Riga? “I applied for the “FLEX” program already in the 9th grade, but then I didn’t make it and I didn’t make it to the finals. It was very painful because I worked all year to apply, but nothing happened.
But then I decided to fight on! I really really wanted to know how people live in the US. We see so many aspects of movies, music and culture [kas saistīti ar ASV]. I wanted to see the differences – whether they really exist.”
Photo: from a private archive
Already dreamed of America
Ksenia admitted that she had previously dreamed of going to America. “It’s very far, I’ve never been there, and I also understand that my family wouldn’t be able to go there because of the money.
I wanted to see if my thoughts about America would really be confirmed.”
Late autumn was the hardest
Although Ksenija really wanted to go to the USA and study there, it was difficult to leave Latvia at the same time. “It’s always difficult when we leave home. I spoke to the other finalists in the program – everyone had a hard time [doties prom no dzimtenes un mājām].
The program even teaches that in November and December, the students’ mood deteriorates significantly, because they are sad about their family, they don’t have friends they know in the US yet, the weather is very dark and depression can start. There is no feeling of home and I miss my own language, because in America everyone always speaks English, even in host families’ homes.
Longed for normal conversations with loved ones
The time zone difference is also big – eight hours. It was very difficult to communicate with those who remained in Latvia.
When I [ASV] I went to school, they were already sleeping. They were at school when I slept. It was very, very difficult to find time to really talk normally, not just two minutes before going to bed.”
Photo: from a private archive
Lived in a relatively large city
Ksenia lived in Michigan. “I was lucky because I lived in a city with about 300,000 inhabitants.
This is really a lot, because I know students who lived in a settlement with 97 people. The city where I lived was smaller than Riga, but comparatively it was a very big city.”
He also got to know the Jewish culture
When talking about her host family in the USA, Ksenija admitted that it was much different than her family in Latvia.
“I didn’t have an American family. They were Jewish, so there were other cultural elements. For example, they didn’t celebrate Christmas, but they celebrated Hanukkah.”
Surprised by the habits of a Muslim girl
Another girl from Mali lived in our family. The family welcomed him in the same way they welcomed me. The girl was from West Africa. It was also very different because she came from a Muslim culture. The girl celebrated Ramadan and did not eat various foods that we eat and do not think about at all.
I remember the first time I really understood how different her culture was. We were in a pizzeria. Until then, I had thought that everyone eats Pepperoni sausage. But she said she can’t eat pizza because she doesn’t eat that kind of sausage. Only then did I really understand how different people are.
Huge cultural and religious diversity
I had not only an American experience in the US, but also a Jewish and Muslim one. Maybe it’s typical of America – very different experiences and different people.”
Living in America greatly expanded Ksenia’s horizons, as she encountered a wide variety of cultures and religions.
Photo: from a private archive
At school, he got to know dozens of cultures
“There were a lot of people from Mexico and Canada at the school. There were also many people from countries at war – Iraq and Iran. I met very different people. My horizons after America expanded a lot.
There is not so much diversity in Latvia. We are all pretty much the same, but in America even the host family had two different cultures. The school had dozens of cultures, as there were also students from Germany and Spain. I met a lot of people from different countries.”
Could return to Latvia with international education
Ksenia expressed her hope that in the future she could also study at a university in America. But isn’t he currently being pulled back to Latvia? “Of course, when I think about home, I would like to return, but I would like to return with new knowledge in order to really change and do something in Latvia.
I think that at some point in my life I will be back in Latvia, but with a good education. I plan to study more and know more languages, only then to return to Latvia. It will always be my home. My family and friends live there.”
Mom was sad, but appreciated her daughter’s great opportunity
Speaking about her mother’s attitude towards her daughter’s long absence, Ksenia said: “She knew that I participated in the contest [lai tiktu mācīties ASV], she believed that I would, but of course when I did, she said, “Yes, it will be for a whole year. How will you manage on your own?”
Mom was sad, but at the same time she knew it was a great opportunity for me, so she allowed me to go.”
I had to deal with everything myself
The year spent in America greatly contributed to the development of Ksenia’s independence, because she had to deal with most things on her own and there was no mother nearby to whom she could ask how to act in every situation. “I had to do a lot by myself.”
Previously, while living in Latvia, the girl liked to eat the meals prepared by her mother and wear the clothes she prepared. “I didn’t know how it all worked. When I left for America, I had to take care of my clothes and food.
He got up at five every morning and made himself porridge
American food is different, so I get up at five in the morning every morning all year round to make myself porridge. I gained a lot of independence during that time.”
Are Americans Eating Unhealthier? “I think it depends on a particular family, but a lot of people ate more unhealthily. I remember when I went to the store for the first time, I saw chicken raised with hormones and many other things. There is nothing like that in Latvia!
In general, there is a lot of junk food in the US, so they eat unhealthy.
Chips as a normal dinner food
Also, they see food differently. For example, the host family was happy to have dinner, but it turns out they just took Nachos, put cheese on them, and that was dinner…
We would eat chips after dinner or as a snack, but they saw them as dinner. Their food is really different.”
Photo: from a private archive
The free school breakfast was very sweet
And what was the host family’s attitude towards Ksenia’s cooking of ikryt porridge? “They were very accepting. If I wanted to eat porridge, I could do it. They themselves did not have breakfast at all, only drank coffee.
Of course the school also had breakfast, it was free, but there were only unhealthy options like sweets, very sweet yoghurts and very sweet buns. It was not breakfast as we see it. They were more sweets.”
In general, the girl really liked various American cookies. She herself reasoned that it was probably because they had a lot of added sugar.
Unforgettable Chicago trip
Ksenia expressed great joy that she was able to spend a year in the USA, but the Halloween celebrations, as well as the trip to Washington and Chicago, are the most memorable in her memory.
“The trip to Chicago was really a great inspiration, because I had never been to such a big city with tall buildings and a lot of people before. We don’t have anything like that in Latvia, even in the center of Riga. It was Christmas time, so the city was full of decorations and fireworks. It was very cool!”
After such an experience, you can’t do anything!
Ksenia advises other young people to consider the idea of participating in an international exchange program and going to study abroad.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity, because seeing other people’s lives gives rise to other thoughts and ideas.
When I talk to other FLEX students, they all say they are doing something now. After this program, you simply cannot do anything!
Created his own organization
I created my own organization “OPRO” (“Opportunities Rocket”). In this organization with more than 10 volunteers, we tell people about opportunities such as exchange trips, camps and other programs.
We work closely with more than 40 people who attend the English language club. We have conducted more than 10 online seminars. We have more than 75 partners from 12 countries and 840 members.”
Likes to help other young people
The creation of the organization already took place in the USA, but when Ksenia came home, she realized that she wanted to develop it even more actively. “I want to talk about opportunities and practice English through it.
The volunteer work stayed with me even after the program year, as I now participate in English speaking sessions every Saturday. They include people from different countries, including Latvians.
They also ask how to better write their application for the “FLEX” program. I am very glad to be able to help, because I didn’t have a single person who could tell me what should be done better and what would be more valuable. When I tell this, I feel that I am also sharing my experience. I share my thoughts and new perspective.”
Wouldn’t change a thing about the unique experience
At the end of the conversation, Ksenia admitted that there was nothing she disliked about her experience in the United States or that she would like to change.
“All my experiences made my FLEX experience unique. That is why I can now give back my experience from America through OPRO and English language sessions. I don’t think I would change anything.”
Continues international activities
In addition, it is positive that the program does not end after one year spent in the United States. Even now, Ksenia has various opportunities to participate in international events, conferences and working groups.
“There are a lot of opportunities after that,” the young woman is happy and invites other students to think about opportunities to study abroad.
2023-11-19 05:44:00
#age #Ksenia #left #Latvia #America
