MY STORY
v My story began on January 27, 1996 when I first came into this world.
v Then I met my family: mom – Nadia, dad – Yaroslav and sister - Christina.
v My sister is 2 years older. We grew up together. After long years of fights and quarrels she is the closest friend of mine.
v I didn’t go to the kindergarten but when I was 4 I went to the Art Studio instead. There I learned how to dance, sing, draw, perform etc.
v When I was six it was time for me to go to school.
v In 3 rd grade I went to musical school and learned how to play the piano. Since that time music has become an important part of my life.
v. I was very active in school and involved in many things. v. In 9 th grade I became President of the Student Council and in 10 th grade I was elected to be President of the District Student Council.
v. In addition, I studied hard. In the end of my junior year I became the “Queen of Knowledge” of the school as I had the best results in studying.
v There are 3 very important people for me. I’ve known these girls for 10 years and even in 5 thousand miles they are still my best friends.
v I also have a lot of friends from different countries. Even though we might never see each other again, memories of the time that we had spent will always keep our hearts together.
v In March last year I attended the annual Lviv Ball. I felt like Cinderella wearing a long dress with a buttonhole, dancing the Vienna waltz with my partner and listening to orchestra music.
v. September 1 st, 2012 was supposed to be the beginning of my senior year. But I chose another way. v. I went to the opening ceremony and then left High School #81 for ever.
v 5 years ago I found out about a scholarship exchange program FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange). v Since that time, I had been dreaming about winning it and going to the US.
v. When I was old enough I decided to apply. v. In fall 2011 I passed three rounds of the competition and had to wait for the results.
v Finally, on April 9, 2012 at 17: 36, I received a call that changed my life: “Congratulations, you’re a FLEX finalist” v After all documents were ready there was just one step left – Pre-Departure orientation (PDO)
v PDO is an essential part of FLEX program. All finalists live in a campus and learn about American culture, security issues, host families etc.
v. But it was by far the most fun part of the program. A sleepless night on the train and lots of new friends with whom I still keep in touch – that’s what I remember about the PDO.
v. When everything was ready there was the most difficult part to do – bid my country farewell and leave. v. I still remember hugging my mom goodbye, crying on the train, my friends and city disappearing on the horizon.
v I arrived at the Grand Forks airport on the 7 th of September and a few minutes later I met my host family for the first time.
v. I had to start a new life from the very beginning: get used to new family, go to another school and make new friends.
v There were many firsts for me - first Homecoming, first Halloween, first carved pumpkin, first horse ride, first American wedding, first football game, first Thanksgiving day, first… first.
Of course there were a lot of struggles with school, different culture, new people. Some treat you like an alien, some make fun of your English, others just ignore you. But time goes by and I am grateful for the priceless experience that I’ve gained here. I’ve met wonderful people, made a lot of friends, fell in love with my host family and my kitty, but the most important – I’ve understood who I really am.
v For the near future I’m planning trips to Minneapolis, Nebraska and Washington DC; v On May 15 th, I will leave this country; v When I go back I have to take my tests in Ukraine and go to college; And then time will tell…
