I walk into my new room for the first time. A small area, it is equipped with two little beds facing each other. A light-ish brown desk on both sides, and a two dressers on the ends of the room. I glance up and see my roommate looking towards me. The first time I have ever seen someone not from America. My palms are sweaty as I walk over to shake his hands. My heart races as we begin to introduce ourselves. His Russian accent is thick, as I attempt to make out the words he is saying. Although nervous, my heart rushes with excitement. I think to myself, “This is what I came for,” the opportunity to interact with someone who lives on the opposite side of the world.
1,638.7 miles. That is how long it takes to get from Kansas to Massachusetts. Most 17-year-olds can not fathom being a few hours away from home. But, I had dreamed of the day I would leave everything I knew behind and venture into this new world. A place full of uncertainty without a single family member or friend near. It was worth it though as Wilbraham Monson Academy provided me hope. Hope to be at a place where the faculty had teaching degrees from the highest institutes in the …show more content…
The only exposure I had to anything outside of the United States was the news. But, once I arrived at WMA I began to experience drastic changes. When I walk into the dining hall, students from across the world surround the tables. When I sit down at a table, many times I am the only American there. Although the students at WMA come from all over the world, we all share a unique bond as individuals going through our first independent experience and separation from our parents, friends, and livelihood. That is what makes this place unique. The opportunity for teenagers who are experiencing their maturation into adulthood joined by hundreds of other students who are going through the same journey as
1,638.7 miles. That is how long it takes to get from Kansas to Massachusetts. Most 17-year-olds can not fathom being a few hours away from home. But, I had dreamed of the day I would leave everything I knew behind and venture into this new world. A place full of uncertainty without a single family member or friend near. It was worth it though as Wilbraham Monson Academy provided me hope. Hope to be at a place where the faculty had teaching degrees from the highest institutes in the …show more content…
The only exposure I had to anything outside of the United States was the news. But, once I arrived at WMA I began to experience drastic changes. When I walk into the dining hall, students from across the world surround the tables. When I sit down at a table, many times I am the only American there. Although the students at WMA come from all over the world, we all share a unique bond as individuals going through our first independent experience and separation from our parents, friends, and livelihood. That is what makes this place unique. The opportunity for teenagers who are experiencing their maturation into adulthood joined by hundreds of other students who are going through the same journey as