The beginning of an extraordinary life!
June 03, 2021 13:41
Ever since my application process started in 1978, I knew I was on a special path.
It actually started some 8 years earlier, when my brother was an exchange student in Des Moines, Iowa. From the stories he sent home, I knew that one day I would be in his shoes as an exchange student.
One fine summer day in August 1979, I landed at McCarren airport in the extreme desert heat of Las Vegas, Nevada. Setting out from Copenhagen, I was destined to Woodland Hills in California, but somewhere en route over the Atlantic plans changed, and my new home for the year was in Vegas.
At any level, I can truly say that YFU has shaped my life from that moment. My last host family, the Bowers, became my family. And friends I met in high school: my life long friends. Just this month, my host mom passed away, 7 years after my host dad, Dr. John. While the sorrow of their passing is overwhelming, the joy they gave me in life will be ever-present.
Back in Denmark in 1980, I discovered that my YFU family extended beyond Las Vegas. For 25+ intense years, I spent a massive amount of my free time working for and with YFU. Staff and volunteers became friends, and I’ve been involved in anything from counselling, to being an area representative, a regional leader, and a member of the board. We celebrated YFU-Denmark ́s 25-year anniversary(when YFU USA celebrated 35 years) and we had the then-current president John Richardson as a special guest at our celebration at HC Andersens garden in Odense, Denmark. We then had the subsequent evening party close to our YFU House in Tommerup.
I’ve had numerous travels to Washington DC, staying at the log cabin, in dealings with YFU USA – including the rise and fall of SFU (An initiative to exchange athletes in Sports for Understanding). The “travel bug” that many of us have is there thanks to YFU. YFU has brought me around the world; some of my best and lifelong friends are YFU-related.
My daughter was an exchange student 4 years ago, and we have all been back to visit our family in Las Vegas numerous times, as they have been here. Both personally and professionally, a total stranger in business becomes an instant friend and ally, when we both discover that we are YFU Alumni. It’s pure magic.
YFU has in every way shaped my view and understanding of the world, my friendships, my personality, and my career. What Rachel began 70 years ago should be given a post-mortem Nobel Peace-Prize, as the movement she started truly has made more than a dent in many people’s universe. YFU has turned many strangers into friends for thousands of us, and I thank her, and all of you, for a truly extraordinary life!
Testimony of Carolina Herik Meng - YFU Denmark
Former Exchange Student in The USA – 1978/1979
