Lena R., an exchange student from Germany studying in the U.S. through the CBYX program, shared her AFS experience with us through a poem. Lina’s inspiration to write this poem was her final poetry project. She first wrote a poem about her host family and her home in her host country, and then wrote this two days after her last AFS goodbye party, which in her words made her “nostalgic to think about the love I share with these people. This has truly been a life changing experience!”
Perhaps
By Lena R.
Perhaps the sun will shine again,
Highlighting the spirit we created,
Playing poker in hotel rooms,
Going to war with a battleship,
And diving for beach volleyballs
At the shore.
Perhaps golden hours will
feel like Jordanian hugs,
Sound like Slovak laughs,
Taste like Italian food,
Smell like Japanese incense sticks
And it looks like a reunion with international lovers.
Perhaps home is more than a place
It’s a combination of the people my heart adores.
Nimmerland is the place in my head
Where Amish memories meet New York City on New Years
Where Taco Tuesday is a national holiday
Nimmerland is our holy spirit.
And Perhaps this was the best year of my life
Because riding roller coasters never felt so easy.
As long as you are living in my heart
Inspiring me to grow, I won’t stop reaching up high to Lady Liberty.
Interested in hosting an exchange student from Germany?
Browse student profiles and get in touch with our team today at afsusa.org/host!
