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Emma and Karissa, two US Youth Ambassadors through ExCEL Abroad program supported by KFF, came to Lithuania last August where they will be spending the following school year. A month later they shared some of their experiences about living in a new culture, going to a new school and meeting different people.
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Emma shared her excitment over a new experience, "I went mushroom-picking for the first time in Ignalina with my host father's family. We spent hours in the forest trying to find the mushrooms.... The most exciting moment came when my host father found 'the king of mushrooms' and we all ran to see it." She was also surprised what an important role basketball plays in Lithuanian culture. "One of the ways I first bonded with my host father and sister was by watching the Lithuanian national basketball team playing in the EuroBasket games. I have never been interested in sports before and I have never sat through an entire game, but within days of arriving in Lithuania I was already a fan. I even caught myself saying 'our team' after watching just a couple of games. Mes už Lietuvą!," Emma writes.
Meantime, Karissa was excited to write about running her first marathom in Lithuania. "I ran the 4.2 km one. I was able to run the whole time despite not being a runner. I'm looking forward to the May marathon and will be training for the 10 km," she says. Karissa also shared her experience about her first day at school, "Every year in Lithuania, school starts on the 1st of September and carries with a series of traditions. First off, the students dress up nicely and bring flowers to their teachers. There is also a ceremony at the beginning of the school day to welcome everyone back.... The day went pretty quick and I made a few friends!."
Both girls got to visit Trakai. Karissa shared, "I really enjoyed seeing a castle that was so old and beautiful as well as such a clean and clear lake", while Emma wrote, "Trakų Pilis is the first castle I have ever been to."
Photos: Courtesy of Emma and Karissa