At the beginning of 2008 when I was in high school, I went to Washington State, as a culture exchange student. I was so lucky to live with an amazing Jewish host family there. It’s a really happy family.
McCleary, which is the town my host family lives, is not a big city as what you may imagine, but I did enjoy the peaceful and easy life here so much. No traffic lights at the crossings, no road lamps but just reflection dots all along, no need to lock the cars or house door and the colorful wood houses, are my favorite parts about this town. Why my favorites are these normal things? Because they are just so American!
Making cookies with Elie was one of the most impressive memories the first day I set foot in the US. I was so surprised of the all kinds of measurement tools using for accurate adding everything since I, as a Chinese, always like to use feelings to take care of cooking and never really measure them. Another shock was that we grabbed lunch in a supermarket and ate in the dining area, and then just brought the tiny bar codes of our food to check out. We can't build a supermarket like that in China at least for now since somebody may throw it with food trash and just leave. Suddenly I felt the power of credibility and integrity in America.
The best part of my experience was definitely helping out at the Jewish Sunday School in a temple. Jewish Sunday School opens classes of different grades to teach Jewish children about Jewish religion stories and culture in a fun way. At Sunday School, I experienced how they acted at church on every Sunday. Moreover, those pure faces and angelical child's voice were unforgettable forever. I found that it was not true what I heard in China that American students were free to talk, eat, do whatever they wanted in class. Instead, from what I saw in Sunday School, they had to raise hands if they want to share opinions and it was very impolite to cut in while somebody is talking. This was my first time and probably will be one of the few chances to get involved in working with foreign children. I appreciated it very much.
This experience opened a new door for me to see the world in a completely different angle, especially the view about Jewish people and their religion. It is a milestone in my life and truly inspired me coming back for higher education.
When one journey ends, another begins.
It is such a coincidence that my first trip to US was the same year as yours in 2008 to NY, I was a college student back then, which had a significant influence on my decision to move to the US later on.
ReplyDeleteI think your story is clear, compare to mine as we discussed early today, also appealing and fast-moving. Keep up the good work.