Our cultural exchange participant Tatjana writes to us from Vienna, a charming town nestled in the fast-paced region surrounding the U.S. capital, where she’ll be spending the next year. Read more about her experience so far.
Ever since I was little, I used to imagine what life must be like in the U.S.—especially growing up watching Disney shows and movies. And now, I can finally say I’m living it.
I’m staying in a town called Vienna, located in the state of Virginia. It’s considered a suburb of Washington, D.C., and it takes just 30 minutes by car or metro to get to the heart of the capital. Vienna is known for its variety of restaurants, great schools, and all the beautiful parks and green spaces it has to offer.
I spent my first month getting to know the host family I’m staying with, as well as exploring both Vienna and Washington. Saying I’m impressed would be an understatement. Every day I meet friendly, open-minded people who are always in a good mood and eager to connect.
When it came to the travel prep, I honestly expected it to be more complicated and stressful. In reality, it was the complete opposite—everything went smoothly and quickly, just as it should. That’s thanks to the incredible team at the Center for Affirmation and Development, who were always there to answer any question I had, no matter how small.
Ihre Botschaft an zukünftige Teilnehmer:
To all future participants, I wholeheartedly recommend coming to the U.S. It offers not just American culture, but a mix of cultures from all over the world in one place—making this experience truly priceless.