Beautiful people, beautiful moments, beautiful experience

Coming to the U.S. had always been a dream for me. And the dream is now coming true. I am really having a blast discovering American culture. We often hear in Europe that our continent is more and more "americanized." It is not, everything is so different: food, atmosphere, way of life, people... I admit it took me a bit of time to get used to people’s kindness here, and to the "hey, how are you?" when you enter a shop. Everything feels so peaceful here. I enjoy learning more about leadership, about America and its values, about community service, about NGOs and institutions. I love having strolls in Columbia, breathing deeply and feeling overwhelmed by the once-in-a-lifetime experience I’m living. I love discovering new cities (Charleston, Charlotte), wearing out my shoes running through these incredible moments, becoming immersed in this Southern atmosphere.

Picture: Charlotte, 07/02/2016

And it is not only about discovering the U.S., but it is also about the human aspect of the program: meeting awesome European people, caring, sweet and kind. I get so much not only from the American culture but from my European counterparts too, and that is truly fascinating. I feel so glad that I had the opportunity to celebrate the best and most moving birthday of my life here, in America, with such beautiful people. We are united, and we are just like a big family, and I really feel stunned by this love and open-mindedness among us. We’re already planning to travel and meet each other again, because friendships built during these five weeks will probably last for a long time.

Picture: group hug for my 20th birthday, after receiving beautiful presents from the whole group, and after the Happy birthday song with Kaimana Chee!