A Lifetime Experience

My name is Marie Langer. I’m a 17-year-old French teenager and my biggest dream was always to be an exchange student in the US. I arrived 3 months ago in West Virginia. Here is what I’ve learned so far.

In my opinion being an exchange student is the best, most efficient way for me to learn a language and get immersed in a foreign culture, it has helped me to become more mature and it means creating a strong bond with a second family

“The world is full of wonderful things you haven’t seen yet. Don’t ever give up on the chance of seeing them” (Rowling). Don’t you totally agree with J.K Rowling? I agree one hundred percent. Therefore, almost two years ago I applied to an organization to become an exchange student. As being a teenager in the 21^st century, most of us don’t know what to what we want to do with our life yet, and being an exchange student is helping me find who I am. Unfortunately, because of covid, the project had been set aside time and time again, but I never gave up on this dream, and now here I am!

During Spirit Week, Marie celebrated "Merica Monday" by dressing up as a tourist.

I have a very simple question to ask you, how many of you would like to know more about the French culture? Well, I was very curious about your culture, that's why I'm here. One of the biggest advantage is to improve my English, in my classes I am forced to speak in another language. I would say that the most difficult part for me is usually the pronunciation. I cannot tell you how many times my host sister, Chloe mocked me because I wasn’t saying a word right

Let me give you a quick definition of what I am living right now. According to Powell Debbie and Aram Roberta J, “cultural immersion is actively integrating into an unfamiliar community interacting with local people and seeking to understand the way others live in that community by being there and engaging in daily life activities” (Powell Debbie and Aram Roberta J). My communication class, even the speech I’ve delivering is part of my cultural immersion. In fact, I’ve decided to immerse myself with the American culture because I wanted to experience a different style of education which I can tell you now after almost 3 months is better than the French one… Your school system has given me more confidence whereas the French one seems to just stress me out and drag me down.

Marie with one of her closest American friends before Homecoming

It might also sound crazy but I’m learning about my own culture because I’ve never had the opportunity to fully learn how to praise its virtues and critique its shortcoming. For example, I realized now that French people are most likely rude…

I’m widening my perspective of the world and that makes me more mature as a person. Maturity is what teenagers might be looking for deep down. We always want to play the big guy, the one who always knows everything, especially the one who knows better than his parents. Before I left, I was arguing almost every day with my mom, even though Gods knows how much I love her. When I eventually return to France, I know for sure I will never be the same person that left almost 3 months ago, just with the fact that I am becoming more mature. Therefore, I’ll try to not fight, at least every day, with her…

In my opinion, discovering a new culture is one of the easiest ways to learn a thing or two about the importance of keeping an open mind. Even if I love my hometown and France, I’m here learning a lot about humanity and I’m widening my perspective of the world. I’m seeing everyday very different habits, and most of the time when I’m meeting new people they ask me which one I prefer. My answer is always the same: I cannot choose, neither of them is better, it is just different.

Marie, pictured with her host siblings, had the privilege of attending an American wedding.

While abroad, I’m finding courage that I never knew I had. I used to say that I didn’t mind not seeing my family, friends, everything I’ve ever known. But I was lying, it is not easy every day and I sometime get homesick, but thanks to this courage I try to remember that I’m in the place I’ve always wanted to be. Therefore, I’m discovering that the further away I’m journeying from home, the closer I am to finding myself.

Another one of the many benefits of studying abroad is the opportunity to discover myself while gaining an understanding of a different culture. Being in a new place by myself can be overwhelming at times, but it tests my ability to adapt to diverse situations while being able to solve problems. For example, when I had to find a new host family after almost 1 month in the States. Luckily, I found a very a good friend who was willing to host me and looking back this is the best that could ever happened to me.

During Spirit Week, Marie and fellow seniors dressed in togas for "Time Travel Tuesday."

I don’t know about you, but my family and my friends are the most important things for me, my top priorities, in short, the things that are most valuable to me. By coming here, I didn’t expect to find such good friends and an incredible family. I’ve met some of the best friends I will ever have, and we are creating memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. One of the best times I’ve had so far is Homecoming week and the dance. But without my friends nothing would have been as wonderful. It feels like everything is so much easier with them and I’m so glad I am part of their life now.

Marie with her host family, the Kimbles

I am also a member of a new family which is one of the things I am most grateful. The Kimble family is the compass that guides me here. They are always supporting me and they are constantly pushing me to give the best of me. I call now my host parents "papa" and "maman" which literally means dad and mom in French. This little anecdote says a lot about the relationship I am building with them. Maman’s generosity is a true inspiration for me, and her kindness is also an example that I try to follow every day. Papa is usually not home but his jokes and smile erase his absence whenever he comes back. I also have now new siblings that make me feel like I’m at home. I am used to have a quiet big brother in France. Guess, now I’ve got the same but, in the states. I love Jake even though he eats my sushi every time. I also have a little sister now, but I honestly feel we are more like twins. Chloe is the sister I’ve always wished to have. I don’t think I can explain the relationship we have but if I tried, this is how I would explain it: it’s as if an invisible chain has linked our wrists together. She can rely on me as I can rely on her. We keep on repeating that the goodbyes are going to be hard at the end of the year, but we are trying to simply focus on the present. Simply put, I will never be completely at home again because part of my heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.

Marie says Chloe is not only her host sister, but her absolute best friend.

Overall, being an exchange student has given me so much on a relational, educational, and personal level. It is a life changing experience which is not a trip or vacation, it’s a second life. I’ve been building a life for several years and I left for 10 months. I’m now building a life for 10 months and I’m going to leave it forever. I don’t know which one is harder, but I will always remember the people I’ve met here, and this is the forever that will never go away. For now, I just remember that today’s little moments will become tomorrow’s precious memories.

Works Cited

Powell, Debbie, and Aram Roberta J. . “Handbook of Research on Study Abroad Programs and  

                 Outbound Mobility.” IGI Global, 2016, https://www.igi-global.com/chapter/walking-in-english-learners-shoes/164138 . Accessed on 16 November 2021.

Rowling, Joanne Kathleen. “Quotable Quote.” Goodreads. 2015, https://www.goodreads.com/
               author/quotes/1077326.J_K_Rowling#:~:text=Start%20by%20following%20J.K.%

               %20Rowling.%20%E2%80%9CIf%20you%20want,to%20dwell%20on%20dreams

               %20and%20forget%20to%20live. Accessed 15 November 2021.