My Year in the Wolverine State: Michigan Memories

As I ventured into my late teenage years, my curiosity drove me to explore and learn beyond my comfort zone. At the age of 16, I took a bold step and spent a year in the United States, becoming a part of the wonderful Lepien family and living independently on another continent, far from my own family. This experience was truly life-changing, and I'm eager to share more about my journey with you.

Driven by my desire to explore and learn more, I discovered one-year cultural exchange programs. After learning more about them, I knew immediately that this was the path for me. For those unfamiliar with cultural exchange programs, they involve being matched with a host family in your chosen country. You live with them for a year, attend a local high school, and become an integral part of your host family. One important rule is that you can't return to your home country or have family visit during this exchange year, which means navigating your year mostly on your own, albeit with the support of your host family.

The process is straightforward: apply for the program, get selected by a family, and then travel to your host country. Initially, I wasn't chosen by a family, which left me feeling a bit anxious. I traveled to my exchange country without a confirmed host family and met them almost one week after my arrival. In hindsight, I see that itI  was meant to be this way, as I ended up joining the most wonderful family I could have hoped for, the Lepiens.

In this blog post, we'll explore various aspects of my life in the U.S., including the state I lived in, my school experience, my host family, and more. Let's dive into each of these sections one by one.

My Host Family

My host family included three younger sisters, a mom, a dad, and at the time, six pets. I instantly bonded with the sisters during our first meeting at a lake house. They were so taken with me that they convinced their parents to choose me as their exchange student.

I shared a room with the eldest sister, Courtney, and we got along really well. She was at the end of middle school, popular, and excelled in her classes. Brynn, the middle sister, was the free-spirited one of the bunch, a bit more lively and unpredictable. The youngest, Addy, and I connected the most. While I got along with all of them, Addy, being the youngest, provided special moments like introducing her to the magical world of Harry Potter and sharing a tearful moment together when Dobby met his end. Now all the girls have grown into young women. Whenever I check social media, I'm amazed by how much they've matured.

My host dad, John, was a genuinely kind-hearted man. He was your typical dad figure, always there with a joke or to help out when needed. I have fond memories of enjoying his delicious cooking on the evenings he decided to treat us.

My host mom, Dana, became a close friend and remains one to this day. I confided in her about everything, and she was always there to help me through any challenges I faced. I was and am incredibly fortunate to have them as my host Family. I owe the excellence of my exchange year to them.

My School Experience and What Came Along with It

As many of you may know, the United States places a high value on extracurricular activities and sports. This was a great advantage for me at the start of my exchange year. When I applied to the program, I mentioned that I had been a national team swimmer, which caught the school's attention. Even before I had a host family or had arrived in the States, it was already official that I would be joining the girls' swim team. Thanks to my swimming background, I made friends even before the school year began, as the practice season starts earlier than classes. This helped me settle in during the first couple of weeks, and I continued to make more friends and memories as time went on.

My school, Ionia High School, was a typical county high school—not too big, not too small—with plenty of facilities for students to participate in activities and clubs. Unlike the Turkish education system, where students stay in one classroom and teachers rotate, at American highs, you move to different classrooms for each subject. This allowed me to meet a variety of people across different grades. Even though I was technically a sophomore, my academic background allowed me to be classified as a senior in the American system. This provided me with even more opportunities to fully engage in the American high school experience, including attending events like the Senior Lock-In and earning a valid American High School Diploma.

During my time at Ionia High School, I experienced many firsts: my first American high school football game, my first homecoming and prom, and achieving second and third place in a state-level swimming competition. I also had the opportunity to be part of the Vocal Ensemble, where I had solo performances as well as sang with the entire choir, among other memorable experiences.

One aspect I truly appreciate about the American education system, unlike the Turkish one, is that most teachers don't look down on you; they become your friends. My favorite teachers were Ms. Tackmann from my PreCalculus class, Mr. Tackmann in my Literature class, and Mrs. Scheller from the Music class. While I always respected them as my teachers and elders, I also formed friendships with them. Mr. Tackmann was easygoing enough to let me sit in his chair and use his desk during his classes. He had a great sense of humor!

Another aspect of the American education system I truly value is the emphasis on hands-on learning. In chemistry, classes were conducted in laboratory like settings, allowing us to see the practical applications of our theoretical knowledge. I fondly recall building a rocket in physics class to calculate its launch distance, and to this day, I still remember the formula: d=1/2gt^2.

I was also an Honor Student, a recognition not only of academic excellence but also an opportunity to take on responsibilities in volunteer activities alongside other Honor students, supporting charitable causes.

While the quality of education in the United States has room for improvement, I deeply respect the teaching methods and the emphasis on extracurricular activities and sports in the American education system. This approach nurtures well-rounded individuals, prioritizing skills and experiences over grades alone when it comes to employment and university admissions.

My Life and Experiences in the States and the State of Michigan

Embarking on my first journey to the United States, I was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. Having previously visited Europe as a tourist, I found some cultural similarities between Europe and Turkey, given Turkey's unique position bridging Europe and Asia. However, I anticipated that North American culture would offer a distinct experience, and after a year of living there, I can confirm it truly is different.

One significant difference I noticed was the approach to transportation. In the vast expanse of the United States, cars are undeniably the primary mode of transport. An architect I knew once summed it up nicely: in Europe, the hierarchy goes pedestrians, then cyclists, motorcyclists, cars, and so on, shaped by the historical development of their cities. Conversely, in America, the emphasis is on cars, with pedestrians taking a back seat. Turkey, on the other hand, operates on a unique, somewhat chaotic system where there's no clear priority.

Another striking difference I noticed was the prevalence of fast-food chains and the size of the portions. While I don't want to resort to clichés, it's undeniable that fast-food restaurants are ubiquitous, and the portion sizes are notably generous. As a food lover, you can imagine how many kilos I gained during my exchange year! However, one silver lining is that, due to America's cultural diversity, you can enjoy a wide variety of world cuisines, and they are surprisingly authentic and delicious.

So, what about the state of Michigan? Known as the "Great Lakes State," Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan itself. The state boasts breathtaking natural beauty and experiences all four distinct seasons.

The two prominent universities in Michigan are Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. A spirited sports rivalry exists between the two, and since my host family were devoted Spartan fans, I quickly adopted their allegiance. "Go Green, Go White!". I was initially eager to attend college there, but my path led me to Italy.

Thanks to my host family, I had the opportunity to explore five states: Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This journey also allowed me to notice and appreciate the diverse accents within American English. In Michigan, we traveled extensively, visiting many different places, with Detroit being the most notable. In Illinois, we explored Chicago, giving me a chance to experience one of America's most iconic cities. During spring break, we headed to Florida, where I got to enjoy the ocean for the first time. In Kentucky and Tennessee, we ventured into historic mining caves and visited Gatlinburg, home to the Great Smoky Mountains. I even got to try traditional fried chicken in Kentucky. Traveling was both enjoyable and enlightening. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have seen various parts of the United States.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I'm deeply grateful to my host family for providing me with countless opportunities, especially their unwavering love and support. Venturing to another continent on my own and immersing myself in a new culture was a transformative experience. It's important to note that while I learned about American culture, I also shared insights about my own culture, country, and history, truly embodying the essence of the Cultural Exchange program.

To parents reading this, if your child is considering this journey, I encourage you to support them. I understand the apprehension of letting your child embark on such a significant adventure, but the personal growth and unique experiences gained from living independently in a foreign country are invaluable. I'm also grateful to my own parents for their understanding and support, which led to me gaining a second family abroad, lifelong friendships, and experiences I wouldn't trade for anything.