Elif İymen

From my host family:

We have really enjoyed having Elif stay with our family. We first participated in the exchange program through Marshall last fall when we hosted two students from Petrozavodsk, Russia. We had such a good experience that we were happy to be a host family a second time. One of the best parts has been having a daughter for a few weeks since we only have sons. We have also enjoyed learning about Turkey - the food, the language and customs. In turn, her visit has provided an oppurtunity to partake in local activities and sightsee in our own backyard. We have found with each cultural experience that despite some differences, we have actually have much in common. We have shared many laughs with Elif and have had a throughly enjoyable time. She has been a wonderful addition to our family, and we hope that she will come back and visit us someday. Or maybe we will visit her in Ankara! We wish her and her fellow students many blessings and best wishes for the future.

From me:

New family, far from my home... I really felt like a member of this family. I could see other lives, schools, families and cultures with these people. I can not forget any of the places or moments that I had here. Walking on the river, dog sleeding, playing clue game and many other things that I have done became unique with these people. For the first time, without my real family, I travelled abroad and I really liked it. I looked at every detail of everything. Other than these, I also got to know well the people that I know before from my school. Now, I have new friends from both America and Turkey. For my english skills, It was a great oppurtunity. At the last days, I could understand people better and also my new family helped me a lot. I would like to come here again and keep in touch with every person that I met because they are so kind and nice. These are going to be the most memorable days of my life.

Alihan Dizdaroğlu

My host mother Dana Breen was simply wonderful. She welcomed me graciously and made me feel right at home and my host dad Kevin always asked me if I was ok and feeling good and needed anything.
This year in the U.S. meant a lot to me. I've been able to be confident and I got more mature and patient. It was the best and most important 15 days in my entire life.
Matt and I had a lot in common, it didn’t take too much time for us to get along. I will never forget the laughs we shared at horror movies, especially when the lady in ‘’Bye Bye Man’’ got hit by the train and Caitlin was always friendly towards me, I also had some funny moments with her too.
Mrs. Breen would prepare and always had a nice breakfast waiting for me, and generally they were patient, understanding and very warm people. They opened their door and gave me a valuable opportunity to experience American life and culture. They treated me like a family member and make me feel free, just like at home. I always felt welcome in their house and fully appreciate the experiences that they gave to me. 
One of the most important thing I've learned was being outgoing and getting involved in many new things. I learned from it and will take this with me for life. 
I learned how to be happy and make wishes come true without disrespecting other people's wishes. I believe that this will be helping me a lot in life.
Besides taking me to bowling, giving us rides to the school, and taking care of me when we were sick, I somewhat started to feel not just as an exchange student, but rather as a part of their family. 
They have an ideal home and family. Even their dog Brody got used to me after the first day! I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look in his eye when I was eating something or cooking. But overall, they were the nicest family any exchange student could ask for. 
So thank you. Thank you for taking me into your home and caring for me like I was your family.
I will be leaving Duluth as a more confident person who now not only understands the American way of life, but the life itself as well. Thank you again. Duluth, and living with your family, even for a short 2 weeks, was the greatest gift I have ever received.
Thank you for your hospitality!

-Alihan Dizdaroğlu