Hello Strangers

I was taught growing up not to talk to strangers. Maybe because strangers are strange people from the root word strange? Or maybe they are different creature in this world, an alien, a foreigner, a person not akin to mine or yours or mine? But, is it also true that before we became acquainted and ended up us friends or even lovers, we once didn't know each other? Is it in the stranger in us that connect us to be able to live in this world together? Diversity is the only thing we have in common----a quote from an anonymous writer which I read from the wall of building of L of my school. Indeed, in our differences we get to appreciate the gem in us, and through it we create bonds that we forever cherish and keep. It was a cold foggy morning of November 21, 2012, the day we left Moraine to join the International Thanksgiving Host Family Program hosted by the International House of Chicago. The International Thanksgiving Program was founded in 1956 by Trudy Trogdon of Paris, Illinois and has been implemented for over the last 56 years. This year, six of Moraine Valley students namely, Đỗ Kiều Thanh Diễm (Vietnam), Anh Nguyen (Vietnam), Phuc Tran (Vietnam), Linda Dembe (Republic of Congo), Akane Murao (Japan) and yours truly Hannah Quijano (Philippines) joined this prestigious program which happened last November 21-25, 2012 in the small towns of Illinois namely, Geneseo, Morrison, Paris, Prophetstown, Rockford, and Sterling-Rock Falls.

Homestay Programs wasn't really new to me since I have experienced it before in one of the Exchange Program I joined in Japan and Southeast Asian Countries. It was a journey that tatted in my heart and changed my life forever. So I decided to join this Program which is similar to it without a feeling of hesitation in my heart. I was carrying with me the excitement living with an American Family and the fervor to experience the culture beforehand. Indeed, it was a decision that I never regretted and gave me so much reason to even share it to others. I went to Morrison and I was assigned to the Lindstrom Family. When they saw me as soon as I got off the bus and enter the room for the matching, they immediately welcomed me with their wonderful smiles and introduce themselves with the feeling of excitement and gladness. My host Dad Rich, my host Mom Heather and my two host siblings Anna and Adam. It was a very brief introduction that didn't even last for five minutes. They then brought me to their house which is just 2 minutes away from the place where they picked me up. And there, I met Shasta, a beautiful and huge Great Dane who at first barked me on the top of his lungs but eventually get along with me as the minutes goes by.

I am amazed on how my lovely family opened their house to a stranger like me. That alone provided me with the feeling of acceptance and a different perspective of a Typical American Family. In my four days that I stayed in their house, I never felt I was different, rather I felt I was part of the family. Their family gave me so much understanding of the American Culture despite it's diversities. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving Holiday with them not only because of the Turkey and the food they served but because I met the family of my host mother, I met new friends and a new family. They all put a smile in my face when they didn't hesitate to just talk and asked me about my life, my culture and my country. A wonderful day that I didn't want to end.

It was just 4 days but I felt I've known them for 4 years and I don't mind spending time with them again because the experience is so overwhelming and unforgettable. Happiness is even an understatement to describe it. I was once a stranger, there were once unknown but now I've found a family in them whom I will forever keep and remember.