A year in Colorado - a state full of breathtaking nature
“Hi, I’m Olga and I spent my exchange year in Monument, Colorado.”
Olga Jagiełłowicz, FLEX 20’
I received my placement at the beginning of July 2019, and I remember how excited I was, when I saw that I’m going to spend my year in Colorado - a state full of breathtaking nature, high mountains and constantly changing weather. It was a huge change for me, because I’m from a middle-sized town located by the sea, where the weather mostly remains the same, and where we don’t get as much snow as in Colorado.
During my exchange year I was very involved in my high school. Since the first day of school, I’ve decided to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone every day. I joined multiple clubs and sports. Sports play a huge role in American society. In the fall I played softball, during basketball season I cheered for the players with the POMS team, and in spring I played tennis. Those really helped me to make friends at the beginning of the year and get close to them, while the months were passing by.
One of the best memories I have is when I gave 35 presentations about Poland during the International Education Week. It made me a local superstar! I met so many great people and made new friends. I baked over 400 gingerbread cookies that everybody loved. I presented in my high school, an elementary school, a senior living centre, a church, and even a sports centre. I couldn’t believe myself, when I counted that I spoke to nearly 800 people in a week. That week was a challenge, but really helped me improve my public speaking skills. Now, when I have to speak in front of the crowd, I remind myself that there’s nothing to be afraid of - I’ve already given presentations about my country in English and in front of native speakers.
Volunteering in the US had a big impact on me as a person. I volunteered for about 150 hours, which really changed the way I perceive the world, the diversity in the society, and different issues people are struggling with on daily basis. I became so passionate about serving others that I even decided to start my own project, in which I was collecting backpacks with different everyday use products for foster care children in the Colorado Springs area. I’m sure I want to continue volunteering in Poland, and share what I’ve learned in the US with my Polish friends.
The time spent in the US flied by even faster that I had expected. Nevertheless, I can proudly say that I made every moment count. I made my biggest dreams come true and I can’t wait to be an active Flex Poland Alumni!
