It seems like just yesterday that I was playing cricket in my backyard with my little cousin, or riding my motorbike in the busy streets of Kathmandu, or maybe even hanging out with some friends and listening to music in a café called “Cozy”. Now here I am in America, the country that everyone has a desire to visit. The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is definitely relevant in my life. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since I left home for a better future. I had never been away from my family until I left for the United States; so it was not easy to leave home to come to a totally different world. This past year, I not only had to adjust to the American lifestyle and culture, but I had to succeed in an academically rigorous school while not fluently speaking the language. After a long and hectic flight, I arrived in Cleveland with high expectations, wondering what an American city would look like. Whenever I thought of America, I pictured big highways, skyscrapers, a diverse population and beaches with scantily clad lifeguards —thanks to Baywatch — after my first trip to Mentor Headlands, I found that lifeguards look much different in person. Dr Fleming, a family friend whom I live with, picked me up at the airport at 2:30 in the morning. I was anxious to see an American school as well as get my schedule for the year. To be honest, when I finally got my schedule, I was pretty startled because the required courses here are completely different from Nepal.

The first couple of weeks of school were overwhelming to be honest. I was

completely disoriented in my classes, especially in history. I still remember those first few weeks in Dr Stacy’s class when I had no idea what was going on. I hated history for the first semester and lived for its drop day. However, by the end of the year, it was one of the best classes I had ever taken. I will never forget the spring semester when we spent two months on World War I and II and these topics really fascinated me.

Not only did I have to deal with a different academic style, but I also had to live in a totally different culture. This past year was full of new adventures and experiences in my life. I did lots of things that I had always dreamed of. Last fall, I went on a camping trip to the Allegheny forest with the Hawken outdoor leadership program. The best part of the trip was when we were out for 15 days with a stove and a few “Ramen Noodles”. It gave me a chance to explore nature on my own, which I found to be very inspiring. My favourite non-school related experience was the Dave Matthews band concert over the summer. I am a big rock music fan and my brother introduced me to the Dave Matthews band a couple of years ago. I would watch their concerts on television when I was in Nepal, and always dreamed of attending a live concert. My dream came true a few months ago as I watched them live, rocking out at Blossom Music Hall. This is my last year in high school and I can’t wait to go to college. This year, I am more organised in all my classes, and I have good teachers who I know will help me if I ask. I am very excited for my senior year, as I am already busy applying to colleges. This year I hope to learn more things at school, which I know will help me not only in my classes, but through life as well.