Your Education High School Exchanges Brochure 2020 YOUR EDUCATION BROCHURE | Page 10

My exchange to
The United States
"A lifelong dream of mine had been to leave New Zealand to see
the world for myself and experience new and different
cultures. As a kid I had always been interested in the American
lifestyle, high school, athletics and living day to day life as a kid
in the USA. In 2017 I had the opportunity to start fulfilling my
dreams to see both the world and America by applying for a 12-
month exchange to the USA.
After interviews and inductions, I was accepted by Your
Education to go for an exchange in Lytle, Southern Texas
and by a family who would become my American parents
for the next year. My initial thought, when taking that first
step onto a plane and leaving the New Zealand for my first
time, was excitement for the journey I was embarking on
and the new people I would meet. Every day I had eight periods of subjects from English
and maths to robotics class, media and film class, and
an intense off-season athletics class. I’d start school at
8:45 am and finish at 4:15pm with lunch as my only
break in between. Afterwards I’d walk over to the
football field to practice track and field as I had joined
the relay team and did shot-put.
When I first arrived in Texas, I was welcomed at the airport
by my host dad, mum, brother, and their uncle and aunts.
We drove into San Antonio and I was in awe of the city’s
structure, buildings, the way people dressed and spoke with
thick southern accents. My first meal was at a Mexican
restaurant eating an enchilada and having loads of corn
chips and salsa. At school I was asked about my culture and I was given
the opportunity to teach the varsity football team the
haka. Every day after training the team and I spent
three months going over pronunciation, technique, and
posture until on homecoming night we performed in
front of the entire crowd.
My first day of high school was fantastic! I wasn’t nervous
about walking into my new classes and being noticed. I was
excited to meet new people and wander the school halls -
it was just like in the movies.
I have loads of wonderful memories from the USA. I
went ice-skating while it was snowing in Chicago, I
roamed the streets of New York City. I saw a real
American rodeo and watched American football in a
stadium full of people. But most importantly I got to
experience life on a ranch in Texas as a cowboy, fed
cattle, helped raise chickens and welded parts of a
tractor together.
Summer break was an amazing experience having
three months off school, going swimming in Garner
State Park river, dancing every night learning the 2 step
to country music. I went with my host family to attend a
mission trip helping people in need of houses. I also
travelled across Colorado by truck as my host family
went to attend a family wedding. We spent a week
white water rafting, ziplining in the hot summer breeze,
and climbing mountains, with every day just as
amazing as the first.
One of the most memorable moments I had was
having one of my teachers inform me before I left
America that I had changed the students and teachers
at school and everyone I had met for the better.
Walking back onto the plane and looking at myself, I
could see the changes in me from my 12 months living
as a Texan country boy in America - my clothes were
different, I had boots, a hat, two accents, and
experiences that would last a lifetime. But the best part
about it looking back was that I could picture
everyone’s smile that I had met and laughed with."
Ronan from Timaru went to the U.S.
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