By Kikanae Punyua, AFS YES alumnus 2009-2010, United States
It was a great experience that I’ll never forget ever. I got a chance to live with a regular American family that was just amazing friendly than I expected, I was just their own son. I felt right at home. I also got a chance to play a sport that I never tried back in Kenya. I was part of the Wilde Lake High School varsity Cross Country team as well as Track and Field. I actually got to be the Maryland State two-mile champion and that was just a great feeling. On the same year, I made all-American status which is really prestige honor in the world of sport in America. I also met great people that are still great friends and it was just amazing. Finally, I got an opportunity to travel around the country, visited couple state like California, Chicago, Florida, New York, Oregon and other states around Maryland. In general, I’ll describe the whole AFS experience fun and an eye opener for us who never got a chance to travel to the western world.
I have a word for those students who’ll be part of this program in the coming years.. that just be yourself and enjoy the experience because it’s one in a lifetime and grab an opportunity that comes your way.