8 years and counting...
As I first stepped out of the plane at Lexington Bluegrass
airport in July 2008, never would I have thought that this would be the start
of a long, beautiful journey.
In the summer of July 2008, when I was only 15 years old, I
participated in the Deauville-Lexington exchange program. I welcomed an
American high school student, Amanda, into my home in Normandy, France, for a
month, and then spent the same amount of time with her and her family in
Lexington. Although I was feeling a bit homesick and nervous, I enjoyed my time
thoroughly and had an eye-opening experience. I was immersed in a new culture
and had to speak English daily. My host family was incredible and took me to
visit various places in Kentucky, including Frankfort and Mammoth Cave, while
Lexington Sister Cities took all of us students around Lexington’s landmarks
such as the Kentucky Horse Park. This exchange shaped my love for the English
language and the American culture. It was the birthplace of my wanderlust.
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| Frankfort, July 2008 |
Little did I know back then that five years later I would
get to go back to Kentucky, this time for a much longer period of time.
As my little sister was getting interested in going on the
same exchange program I did when I was her age, I went to a Sister Cities
meeting with her and found out about their partnership with the University of
Kentucky which allows two to three Deauville students to study at UK
tuition-free each year. I immediately applied for it. After many months of
preparation, a thorough English test and many hours spent stressing over the
visa process, I moved to Kentucky for the 2013-2014 academic year. It was the
perfect time for me to “study abroad” as I had just obtained my bachelor’s
degree in English as a foreign language. Settling in was not easy at first, but
my host family from my previous exchange was of valuable help and I don’t know
how I would have been able to do this without their constant support.
Although my grades did not matter regarding my French
university curriculum, I tried to do my best in each class I had taken. I was
able to choose from a large variety of subjects, which was very helpful in deciding
what I wanted to do with my life. I studied world politics, communications, and
geography. Each class strengthened my
English writing, reading and understanding skills. As for my spoken skills, I
owe them all to my peers at UK. Living in the dorms, being surrounded by, and
being friends with American students, I was finally able to speak English with
fluency and confidence, thus giving more value to my bachelor’s degree. I also
became more and more acquainted with the American culture, but with a lot of
other cultures too. Indeed, one of my most favorite aspects of UK is its
diverse student population. I became friends with people from all over the
world. Each of them taught me something about their country, culture, language,
religion. It broadened my horizons in many ways and made me a more tolerant and
culturally aware person. Being out of my comfort zone was empowering.
My life at UK did not just revolve around campus, although
my time spent there was nothing short of amazing as I went to as many student
events and sports games as I could in order to learn more about the American
culture. I was also able to travel around Kentucky again and to other states. I
went to Wisconsin over Thanksgiving break. I met up with a friend from France
in Las Vegas. I travelled with another friend to Florida and rode the scariest
roller coasters. I made one of my life-long dreams come true by going to New
York City.
When the time had come to go home, it was heart-wrenching.
As much as I had missed my friends and family back in Normandy, Kentucky had
become home. I knew that this experience had helped me become the adult I am
now. I went back to France with the confidence I was previously lacking, with
life-long friendships, with more knowledge of the world than I had dared to
imagine, with English speaking skills that I knew would make a difference on
the job market, and with the determination to find a career that would suit me.
I left Kentucky with the feeling that I could accomplish anything I set my
heart to.
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| My host sister, Amanda, and I at a Kentucky football game. |
After another year and a second bachelor’s degree (why stop
at two?), guess who was back in Kentucky for another three months?
Lexington Sister Cities gave me the opportunity to use
another one of their amazing programs by granting me an internship with the
Lexington Global Engagement Center (Global Lex) whose opening I participated
in. During summer 2015, I had the privilege of working with this incredible
institution which provides help to the refugee and immigrant population of
Lexington, while promoting cultural diversity. This internship made me
understand that I wanted to give an international dimension to my future
career. It also gifted me with the opportunity to meet new people and get
reacquainted with the people in Kentucky whom I had come to cherish over the
years.
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| Me and Nanina. Both of us were interning in Lexington. This was taken in Frankfort, KY on one of the day trips organized by Lexington Sister Cities. |
As I am now starting my second and last year in graduate
school, I reflect on my experiences through the Lexington Sister Cities exchange
programs, and I feel grateful. I’m grateful for these opportunities that have
given me not only academic and professional skills, but also human experiences
that have shaped the person I am today. I’m grateful for my host family and for
all the people I have met in Kentucky. Their kindness and generosity take my
breath away.
I am not sure where my life will take me, but I am currently
studying something I am passionate about and I know Lexington had a role to
play in that as it is the place where I found myself. I’m aware that speaking
another language, having studied and having worked abroad will be valuable on
the job market once I graduate.
I would like to take a moment to remember my friend Shabika
who sadly passed away in August 2016. My experience at UK would not have been
the same without her, and I know a lot of people can say the same. You are
dearly missed, Bee.
Until next time, My
Old Kentucky Home.
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