Letter from Mariia Talalaievska

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«Gaithersburg High School» – painted the inscription at the entrance to my American school. Externally it is similar to “movie” schools that we see in many American films. However, is it such “movie” from inside? In the main hall hang the flags of the countries from which students are studying in this school. However, I didn’t find Ukrainian among them. Currently, the school administration is working on this, but really the whole school looks as huge Ukrainian banner, as its colors are blue and gold.

From the first days of training you can feel the difference between American and Ukrainian education system. Take at least note that each student can choose his own subjects. However, all is not as easy as it seems at first. Everyone should choose science, any subject in English, mathematics and social science, and the other three items can be any starting with thermodynamics and ending with dancing. But another difference is that there are many levels of teaching of these subjects. AP (Advanced Placement) is the highest level of the proposed school and university level actually is, because very few students dare to items marked with AP. The highest level of a school is called Honors. Yes, but the difference between Honors and AP is quite insignificant.

Most students are horrified when they come to know about my schedule, because hardly any of them would dare to take such subjects. My day begins with work on a better understanding of the country where I am now, because the first subject I have AP US Government and Politics. And though now the subject is the most difficult for me, but I am glad that I am studying it. After it the day flies by quickly, because the following items I have Honors French Language, AP Biology (two lessons in a row), AP Psychology, Precalculus (mathematics) and AP English Language and Composition. Each lesson lasts 47 minutes, and between the fourth and fifth periods we have 45 minutes for lunch. This may surprise you, since classes end at 14:30. But there is nothing strange, because they begin at 7:45, but you need to wake up very, very early, because to school we usually go on a school bus (personally I, wake up at five in the morning).

In addition to classes at school I also find time to volunteer work and rest. Not so long ago in a neighboring town was held Ukrainian festival where I was able to assist in organizing and just have to spend time among the people of my native country. Every Sunday I help with packing food for poor families and I am incredibly inspired by this. One woman, who works there, said the phrase that I never forget. When we checked the expiration dates of products, she said that everything should be incredibly fresh because they want to give poor families dignity. I also met with ATO soldier who is in the US for treatment. He spoke in the Ukrainian church, telling the story of his incredible luck because he could die, but still survived.

I again went to Washington D.C. with friends, where we visited the museum of news and journalism, and walked down the street China Town’s. Together with the host family, I had the opportunity to go hiking in the mountains Sugarloaf, visit the National Military Museum, and go on holiday in Ocean City and many more. There have passed two orientations for exchange students living near D.C. Only 10 students are scholarship holders. Generally, the group consists of almost 40 representatives of 20 countries on four continents, which is good news, because all these different people are just incredible and all find each other close friends.

Once, a former graduate of the program FLEX said that, if you are an exchange pupil, the time is never enough. And now I realize that this is true. Every day, I have very little free time, but I also spend it on preparation for the exams. But now, while I have the opportunity, I would like to congratulate all teachers from the upcoming Teacher’s Day. This incredible profession requires incredible dedication, patience and desire. And really, my biology teacher previously worked in research but decided to teach students because understands that teaching is the most important work. So I want to wish every teacher health and strong nerves, enthusiasm, desire to work and transfer knowledge, patience and effort to smile every day.

P.S. I hope that many students will want to try their hand in the testing program FLEX. Never assume that this is impossible, because it is not. Just try it, because it might be your only chance. I also participated in the program only in order to try my own. So just believe in yourself, determine for yourself what you really want and go to your purposes. Good luck!

Best Regards

Mariya Talalayevska