An Exchange Student

Adáh: How is everything going?

Narrator: Having another teenager in the house means--surprise!--staking your claim on the telephone, not to mention sharing computer time with two sisters. This is Adáh, our 18-year-old daughter for a year through the American Field Service program. And since her arrival last August, she's been soaking up American culture.

Adáh: You're learning in every second of your life in this experience like...

Narrator: And is she ever learning. Here is her first semester report card as a senior at La Costa Canyon High School -- straight A's in classes like advanced calculus and physics.

Adáh: I am going to winter formal dance.

Narrator: But this year isn't just about academics. Adáh is one young woman who's just as busy when she's not hitting the books. Let's just say this dress is getting a lot of use.

Narrator: The doorbell just rang.

Adáh: I am going, I'm sorry.

Narrator: You're going, OK. Her date is here. I promised her that I wouldn't take a picture with the video of her date.

Narrator: but it has been a year of ups and downs. AFS counselors warn students and their host families to expect this. There have been two meetings with the parents to discuss all the possibilities for misunderstanding. From money to chores to cultural and language barriers. And did I mention AFS students aren't allowed to drive while they're here. This is tough on a social butterfly and her parents. As for domestic tranquility, there is definitely some sibling rivalry with Corey, our 14 year old.

Adáh: I am kind of you know interrupting her status in the family, so that's, that's pretty hard. I totally can understand. Also, you know she sees me as like rival.

Narrator: While Adáh is making lots of American friends, she has a special bond with the other AFS students, so it was hard when Jelly her close friend from Switzerland decided she was just too homesick to finish out the school year here.

Adáh: I love her so much. She is my survivor.

Narrator: Roughly 20% of the exchange students placed through AFS either go home early or change families It's a big adjustment bringing another person into your home for a whole year. The students even map on a graph the high and low points. Adáh figures we've come through our tense moments.

Adáh: Now I think we are in the up, like just comfortable with life everything.

Narrator: Comfortable with life and each other.

Jody Hammond, Ten News Encinitas.

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