Antonina, 15, from Russia is participating in a US high school exchange program for an academic year in the state of Indiana. In this interview, she talks about her American school, host family, adaptation process, English level, flights, travel, and plans to continue her education in the USA.
Interview Navigation
- Life in the USA: Town, Home, and First Impressions
- Decision to Study in the USA and First Months in the Program
- English Language: Expectations, Reality, and Progress
- Preparing for the Program: Documents and Visa Process
- Independent Travel to the USA and Flight Safety
- Orientation in New York and Cultural Preparation
- Host Family: Meeting, Motivation, and Adaptation
- American High School and Extracurricular Life
- Friends, Holidays, and Social Life
- Traveling Around the USA with the Host Family
- Free Time and Personal Interests
- Continuing Education in the USA and Advice for Future Students
Life in the USA: Town, Home, and First Impressions
— WHICH STATE ARE YOU LIVING IN NOW?
I live in the state of Indiana, in a small town with a population of about 15,000 people. I really like it here. The town is very clean and well maintained, with lots of trees and walking paths. Our house is located right next to a river, and across the river there is a park. Sometimes you can see deer or birds right from the window. We even have a bird feeder in our yard, so when you have breakfast, it feels like you have your own little zoo.
I live in the state of Indiana, in a small town with a population of about 15,000 people. I really like it here. The town is very clean and well maintained, with lots of trees and walking paths. Our house is located right next to a river, and across the river there is a park. Sometimes you can see deer or birds right from the window. We even have a bird feeder in our yard, so when you have breakfast, it feels like you have your own little zoo.
Decision to Study in the USA and First Months in the Program
— HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE USA?
I arrived at the beginning of August. At this point, I’ve been living in the USA for more than four months.
I arrived at the beginning of August. At this point, I’ve been living in the USA for more than four months.
— WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO THE USA TO STUDY?
As soon as I found out that I had an opportunity to study at an American high school, I immediately became very excited about it. It felt like a real life goal for me. I realized that if I had a chance to go this year, I should definitely take it.
As soon as I found out that I had an opportunity to study at an American high school, I immediately became very excited about it. It felt like a real life goal for me. I realized that if I had a chance to go this year, I should definitely take it.
English Language: Expectations, Reality, and Progress
— WHAT WAS YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL LIKE BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTED?
I was worried that my English might not be good enough. But the orientation camp in New York helped me a lot. I saw that many other exchange students were at a similar level, and that helped me believe in myself. Now I feel that my English has improved significantly.
I was worried that my English might not be good enough. But the orientation camp in New York helped me a lot. I saw that many other exchange students were at a similar level, and that helped me believe in myself. Now I feel that my English has improved significantly.
Preparing for the Program: Documents and Visa Process
— HOW DID YOU MANAGE THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
My family helped me a lot. It was my first serious experience working with important documents. The most important thing was to read everything carefully and fill out the forms exactly as required.
My family helped me a lot. It was my first serious experience working with important documents. The most important thing was to read everything carefully and fill out the forms exactly as required.
— HOW DID THE US VISA PROCESS GO FOR YOU?
I applied for my visa in Kazakhstan, in Astana. We traveled there by car, so it was a whole journey. During the interview, I was first told that my case was sent for additional administrative review, and I was very scared. But later everything was clarified, and my visa was approved.
I applied for my visa in Kazakhstan, in Astana. We traveled there by car, so it was a whole journey. During the interview, I was first told that my case was sent for additional administrative review, and I was very scared. But later everything was clarified, and my visa was approved.
Independent Travel to the USA and Flight Safety
— How did you feel about traveling to the USA on your own?
— It was my first time flying on an airplane, and I was only 14 years old. I was nervous, but I already had experience traveling with my family and my sports team. For safety reasons, a special airline service was arranged, and I was met at the airport. Everything went smoothly.
— It was my first time flying on an airplane, and I was only 14 years old. I was nervous, but I already had experience traveling with my family and my sports team. For safety reasons, a special airline service was arranged, and I was met at the airport. Everything went smoothly.
Orientation in New York and Preparation for Life in the USA
— WHAT WAS THE ORIENTATION SEMINAR IN NEW YORK LIKE?
We were picked up at the airport and taken to the camp. There were students from many different countries. Every day we had seminars in a game-based format where they explained what challenges we might face, how to communicate with host families, and how to deal with homesickness.
We were picked up at the airport and taken to the camp. There were students from many different countries. Every day we had seminars in a game-based format where they explained what challenges we might face, how to communicate with host families, and how to deal with homesickness.
— DID THAT PREPARATION HELP YOU LATER?
Yes, especially during the first days. The advice not to stay alone in your room, to spend more time with the host family, and not to focus too much on home was very helpful.
Yes, especially during the first days. The advice not to stay alone in your room, to spend more time with the host family, and not to focus too much on home was very helpful.
Host Family: Meeting, Motivation, and Adaptation
— HOW DID THE MEETING WITH YOUR HOST FAMILY GO?
They met me with balloons and a sign with my name on it. It was very touching. Now I truly feel like a full member of the family, and we have become very close.
They met me with balloons and a sign with my name on it. It was very touching. Now I truly feel like a full member of the family, and we have become very close.
— DID YOU ASK WHY THEY DECIDED TO HOST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT?
Yes. They said they liked my letter to the host family, especially the part where I wrote that I enjoy spending time with my grandparents. That was important to them because their relatives live nearby. They also wanted a good role model and an older sister figure for their sons.
Yes. They said they liked my letter to the host family, especially the part where I wrote that I enjoy spending time with my grandparents. That was important to them because their relatives live nearby. They also wanted a good role model and an older sister figure for their sons.
American High School and Extracurricular Life
— HOW IS THE AMERICAN SCHOOL SYSTEM DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU WERE USED TO?
Classes are 47 minutes long, breaks are short, and you are not allowed to be late. There is no fixed classroom every class has different students. We use tablets and computers for learning. At first it was difficult because I didn’t understand the system, but over time I figured it out.
Classes are 47 minutes long, breaks are short, and you are not allowed to be late. There is no fixed classroom every class has different students. We use tablets and computers for learning. At first it was difficult because I didn’t understand the system, but over time I figured it out.
— WHAT DO YOU DO AFTER SCHOOL?
I became a cheerleader. At the beginning it was challenging, but now I really enjoy it. I also participate in a recycling club and a club for exchange students.
I became a cheerleader. At the beginning it was challenging, but now I really enjoy it. I also participate in a recycling club and a club for exchange students.
Friends, Holidays, and Social Life
— HOW IS YOUR SOCIAL LIFE AND MAKING FRIENDS?
It wasn’t difficult to make friends. I became close friends with a senior student, and we want to make our last year of high school memorable.
It wasn’t difficult to make friends. I became close friends with a senior student, and we want to make our last year of high school memorable.
— WHICH AMERICAN HOLIDAYS STOOD OUT TO YOU THE MOST?
Halloween and Thanksgiving. Halloween was very atmospheric, and Thanksgiving was a warm, family-oriented holiday.
Halloween and Thanksgiving. Halloween was very atmospheric, and Thanksgiving was a warm, family-oriented holiday.
Traveling Around the USA with the Host Family
— DO YOU TRAVEL A LOT AROUND THE USA?
Yes. We traveled to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and I saw the Gulf of Mexico. We also traveled to Virginia during Christmas.
Yes. We traveled to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, and I saw the Gulf of Mexico. We also traveled to Virginia during Christmas.
Free Time and Personal Interests
— DO YOU HAVE FREE TIME, AND HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?
Yes. I enjoy reading and watching movies with my host family, especially comedies.
Yes. I enjoy reading and watching movies with my host family, especially comedies.
Continuing Education in the USA and Advice for Future Students
— WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION IN THE USA?
Yes. I’m considering continuing my education in the USA, including the community college pathway.
Yes. I’m considering continuing my education in the USA, including the community college pathway.
— WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS?
Don’t be afraid — everything will work out. And don’t bring too many things with you. You can buy almost everything you need in the USA.
Don’t be afraid — everything will work out. And don’t bring too many things with you. You can buy almost everything you need in the USA.
If you’d like to better understand how a high school exchange program in the USA really works and whether this experience is right for you, detailed information is available on the program page.