Valley Catholic High School in Oregon has been grateful to have Yuqian “Amiya” from China as a member of their student body for the past two years.
Amiya, a bright, precocious student, first visited the United States in junior high school on a month-long trip to Seattle, Washington. She was encouraged by her parents to make the leap to study abroad for a longer period for 11th and 12th grades. They believed it would help her grow as a person and provide additional educational opportunities.
Fueled by her family’s love and support, Amiya arrived in the U.S., and upon their first meeting, embraced her host mother, Erin, with a warm hug at the airport and a mindset that anything would be possible.
A growing bond with her host mother, as well as with the friends she has made over time at school, has continued to give Amiya a sense of belonging and family. Her English has improved month after month as she learned to rely less on translation aids, and she has achieved A’s in many of her classes.
One achievement she is particularly proud of is her willingness to join the school’s JV Tennis team, a sport she had never practiced before. Remarkably, she contributed to her team placing 3rd in the district in doubles, something that had never been achieved before by the school!
She also agreed to play xylophone in pep band when the keyboard position was not available, expanding her musical skills and highlighting her adaptability. Upon returning home for summer after 11th grade, her family felt she was a completely different person, marked with a new confidence to try different things, and independence, even cooking meals for her family. Trying new things has simply become a part of who Amiya is.
Her host family has been significantly impacted by Amiya’s presence in their life as well. She has been a part of their family for over two years, and they cherish her as a family member. Particularly her host mother, Erin, who has six adult children, has developed a close connection with Amiya.
Because her children no longer live at home and her husband travels frequently for work, Erin and Amiya have spent a lot of time together and can talk about anything. Both warmly reflect on the trips they have been able to take as a family, including to San Francisco, Disneyland, and Seattle. Celebrating Chinese New Year and birthdays with Amiya has also been a very special experience.
“My most unforgettable memory is the trip we took to Disneyland with our whole family in 2024. Including some other relatives, there were 14 of us on the trip, which was very lively! It was also my first time going to Disneyland, so I was very excited the whole time. We watched beautiful fireworks together and took many family photos. The photo was finally printed and made into the Christmas card to send to other friends, and I kept one for myself as a memory,” Amiya reflects.
Mary, Amiya’s Local Coordinator, has also noticed Amiya’s confidence soar each year and especially appreciates her positive attitude. She has witnessed Amiya’s willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and meet new people.
Amiya offers the following advice to students considering a study abroad experience: “Please don’t be afraid, every moment of the present can be a source of happiness for you.”
Written by Alexandra Joyaux; Edited by Lauren Lunt