Bio

Aidan's Bio

September 15

As I live in Asia there are so many different things between these two wonderful countries...For example, here I have only 6 subjects which are repeated every day ,in Kyrgyzstan I had 16-17 subjects!!! Are you imagine!...and classes were repeated every week! We don't have lockers in my country, so this thing it is every new for me!!..I was trying to open it so many times...ha-ha..now everything is perfect!

What I like-that in each class you can find like 2-3 friends, and then if count all 6 subjects, you will have 12-15 friends! ..isn't it cool?!

Also what I like in American schools is that most of students are really nice and friendly! They can help you if you will ask them...but ,if honesty, first days of my school were not so wonderful like now, because not many people talk to me, I talked to them first, and due to it now I have friends...If I were cold and unsociable, MAYBE, it couldn't be... but it is my opinion...!!

So now I am in absolutely another country with ABSOLUTELY different culture, different people, language, schools, families....What Do I feel now?....hm...At first days of being here, I was in SHOCK!!!! Cultural shock....Truly, I was scared a little, a little nervous, but at the same time, I was excited and ready for new AMERICAN life, new adventures and I really missed my parents and friends in Kyrgyzstan...but now, I feel really joyful, happy, excited, as I am finding here new friends, I don't miss too much mine...ha-ha...but miss...

Also I found a lot of friends -Inbound exchange students from all over the world!!.. Now they are all on my Facebook!..haha....And thanks to Rotary club which has organized the Orientation where I have met them, we had really great time at the lake Yale, a lot of fun, a lot of joy, laugh....

Actually, I wanted to say some words about Rotary Club...warm words...Of course, thanks them to this great opportunity to learn another culture, to see the world, to make new friends...THANKS!!!!..You are doing really great job!!!

Yeah, and also each month Rotary Club give us 100$,isnt it wonderful?
Also my host family is just wonderful!!! My host parents are really nice to me, they treat me as their own child, telling me everything, taking me to different places, showing me sights, worrying about myself....And I am glad that I will have 3 or 4 different families, because I will see the difference between them...But I am sure all families are good, because in Gainesville, where I am staying, people are very friendly....maybe because of this warm climate....OH YES!!! What about this climate...There is no snow at all!!! Are you imagine!...Its very different to me because I had a really cold snow in KYRGYZSTAN! ..which is 3 months every year...but. I like This climate!

You know, for me, the hardest things were : it was hard for me to get used to American family, because I am a new in this family and I didn't know them at all...and suddenly, I live with them. It was hard...but now I like them very much!

Also, I really missed my parents and friends!!! But it is normal...Of course, when you know your friends for several years, when you have lived with your parents for the whole your life......its hard to change EVERYTHING in one moment!!!...but now I feel really good, really!!!! And homesickness it is normal thing, When I feel this, I am just thinking that in 10 months, I will see them again, and in USA maybe its only chance be here!...and also I am just finding new friends...You know my new Florida life full of events and sometimes you just have no time to think about it!!! Also I go to several clubs in my very school...they are-"International club", where we are talking about cultures of different countries, I tell about my country ,my traditions, my national food, my native languages and etc....Also I am going to "French Club".

What is the easiest for me-it is the language. I know English pretty well, I can understand (not always, but in most cases) what people are talking about...So it will be very good if students who are going to another countries will know the language as better as they can-it helps me very much....then how could I found friends, communicate with my host family and etc.

SO!! I am here only for a month, but I have an enthusiasm to try new things here, to make new friends, to learn American culture, to become more independent, more adult, to developed my leadership skills......And to thank : 1)MY MOM!!! Thank you so much for letting me go, for giving me chance, life changing chance, I think....You are THE BEST!! Thank you thousands and millions times!!!!!

2) Rotary Bishkek and Florida Club!!! I don't have so many words to do it....Again and Again-Thank you!
3) To my host family and future families for opening your hearts and minds to new people, like me...!!!!
MY NEW, ADVENTUROUS, FUN, DIFFERENT, AMAZING AMERICAN LIFE BEGINS.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

First of all, it was my first Christmas here , as we do not celebrate it in Kyrgyzstan, so it was very new for me . The most that I liked it that I got a lot of presents! kidding.... it was the day, when all relatives come to each other , open up their presents!!! Actually, I got A LOT! From Rotary club, from all my host families, and I had already 4! Christmas was BIG!!
Then I went to Jacksonville Beach, but it was so cold, so we did not swim . Actually, now in Florida is kind of cold, even for me, and it is so surprising, because everyone told me that it is really warm in winter.
After the Christmas... wait.... I forgot to tell you the most exciting thing- that on 9 of December I went To DISNEY!

It was amazing with exchange students from Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee! We went to different places , the most that I liked-was Epcot, because I could see different countries, the people there, tasted some national food... I am still surprised why they do not have Russia, because it is so big and famous...
Even though the most attractions were for kids, I am happy that we went there, I felt like I was in the fairytale... And also on the last day there were great fireworks, which lasted like for 15 minutes. After it some girls were crying , because they did not want to go.

So, after the Christmas, it was time for New Year! You know , it was kind of strange for me, because there was NO SNOW, and I like snow, a lot, I really missed it... but the fact that I celebrated it with exchange students got my mood UP! We went to Jacksonville, to the Schaksters house, they had Jacuzzi, karaoke... but before it, first, we did charity, we were at the kitchen, and cooked some food for the homeless people. We had to bring the caps, but I forgot.. and I had to wear this not so attractive black net on my hair... though it was kind of fun... After it , we danced, played pull, sung, did not sleep of course, and at midnight we saw the fireworks, but they were not a lot, like we have in Kyrgyzstan! In my country we just went on the street, and do fireworks, or stay at home and as I live on the 9 floor, I could see the beautiful view from my window-all these fireworks, all people in the street, who are singing, and drinking champagne... I missed it on my new year! But anyways, we had a great time! Thanks to Schaster family, they are so nice, for making this amazing New Year happen! And to Rotary Club, you know that you are the BEST!

By the way, one guy from Brazil forgot his cap, and Bill learn asked me to have it... so I put it on my head and I went to the pier after the New Year in Flagler beach, the wind blew... and guess WHAT! this cap fell down in to the ocean! The fishermen tried to get it with their hooks, which was kind of fun, because it almost impossible....anyways, I don't have it anymore.. So I hope, Mateus, you don't read my journal.

And now school has started, and I wont lie , it is not the best part, anyways, in a half of the year I am coming back to Kyrgyzstan... my feelings are mixed... I have fun time here, I made a really good friends, and I will miss a LOT exchange students, but on the other side, I can't wait to see my family and friends back in Kyrgyzstan! What I know for sure-this is great year, the most challenging and adventurous! I am trying to live every day fully, doing different stuff! And time passes really fast!

But thanks Rotary for these all fun staff, which they do for us - all exchange students appreciate it, and for future ones too!!!! Rotary is always trying to help us not to feel homesickness too much and to hangout with other exchange students more , which is just GREAT! Thank you! This year is going to be UNFORGETTABLE!

In February we went to the Florida Keys with all exchange students! It was amazing there, we did a lot of fun staff, like snorkeling, dance party, bonfire and etc. It was the last time when we all met :/

2 weeks ago I changed my host family, this is the 3 last host family that I have! I have a hostmom, which is also my counselor, host brother, and a host sister! Its always fun here, because we always do many different things,for example, we went to the beach in South Carolina, celebrated Easter, and etc.
In the beggining of April I went to New York city with other exchange students!!! It was one of the BEST things that I ve experienced here, not only here haah IN MY LIFE (so far)! We went everywhere: Times square, Empire State building, broadway show, statue of liberty and I even saw the actors from harry Potter! Yep, I am lucky haha

Plus I ve met more people from all over the world, which I think, is on of the best things you experience being an exchange student.

I am so happy, because 3 weeks ago I had a dream in english, and sometimes I catch myself thinking in english!!! :)

Now we are going to have an outbound orientation in May 6, and this is the last time that our district(6970-the best district ever) meet :(

I am really excited, because we are going to cary our flags and march under our hymns!
School is school, but I hang out with my friends there, so it is not SO boring haha
Every day here, whether I feel good or bad, I am gratefull for this life-changing opportunity to God, to my lovely parents and Rotary Club!

Now I can say that this year changed myself, changed my life, made me open-minded and positive, showed me the world, and I learnt a lot about myself and people around me :)

I Love being an exchange student, even sometimes you feel horrible and you just want to give up, because of the homesickness, of stress being far from the family, becoming a new and independent person! BUT! This oppotrunity changes lives, and I even dont imagine what would my life be without it!
Thanks to everyone!!! I LOVE MY LIFE! :D