When I was 15, I left Türkiye to spend a year in Florence, South Carolina, as a YES student. At the time, my English was very limited, I even had to spell words out for my host parents at the beginning of the year. But with their patience, warmth, and encouragement, I quickly grew more confident. By the end of the year, I was speaking fluently, with a little Southern charm “yes, ma’am”.
I bonded with my host family in a way I never imagined. They loved adventure and family time, and they welcomed me completely as one of their own. I loved adventure, and I also wrote that I want to do bungee jumping on my YES papers, which is what made me be selected by this beautiful family. My host dad taught me how to ski on my very first trip to the mountains, and years later, I found myself teaching my friends in Türkiye how to ski, using the skills he had given me. We shared countless memories together, from simple family dinners to unforgettable experiences like attending not one, but two proms. My host granddad even wrote an autobiography and included me in it, one of the most heartwarming reminders that I truly became part of their family. To this day, we remain close: my host family has visited me in Istanbul, where my mother and host mom hugged through tears despite not speaking the same language. They were both thankful for each other. Later, I returned to South Carolina for my host sister’s wedding with my Turkish brother, which is proof that the bonds created through YES are lifelong.
The program also gave me opportunities to connect beyond my host family. I made friends from around the world, vounteered more than 100 hours in my U.S. community, and shared Turkish culture with those around me. One highlight was being selected for the Better Understanding for a Better World workshop, where I met young people from many backgrounds who, like me, wanted to build bridges across cultures. That was when I truly realized the power of this program: it doesn’t just change individuals, it makes the world better, one person at a time.
Most importantly, my exchange year didn’t end when I returned home. The lessons I learned shaped my path. I was later selected for the Global Village program, where I learned the true value of youth leadership and cross-cultural dialogue. I also continue to volunteer and stay active in my community. So, I wanted to participate at the YES Project Development (Changemaker) Workshop to deepen my skills in turning ideas into action. The workshop itself also taught me a lot about how to write a project and how to execute it. The courage, openness, and sense of belonging that YES gave me continues to influence every step of my life.
Perhaps the most powerful part of YES is the ripple effect. The friendships I built extended far beyond South Carolina: I have visited exchange friends in Cairo, hosted friends in Istanbul, and created bonds that connect Türkiye, the U.S., and other countries. These ties prove that the program is not only about one student or one year, it’s about building long-lasting bridges between nations.
YES gave me more than just a year in the States, it gave me another family, lifelong friendships, and the belief that we can make a difference by connecting across cultures. For me, it will always be a reminder that home is not just one place; it’s the people you love and the communities you build. One other thing that I want to highlight is that the exchange year doesn’t end after 10 months; it is a lifelong experience.
Pelin Kalem
Türkiye to South Carolina, YES 2017–2018