2/6/2004 - A Peruvian in Latvia
Going to a country so far away as Latvia, sharing many experiences with new friends and a host family was very meaningful to me. Traveling through AFS marked a big turning point in my life. My mentality and perspective of the future have a new reality now.
Latvians are very much like us, very open in conversations, joyful, dynamic, and easy to be friends with. If you stop a Latvian on the street and start talking, in no time he will tell you that you are a good friend, and he/she becomes your real friend…
Young Latvians are very cool, free to do stuff, practicing sports: basketball in the summer, not much soccer, and Skiing, hockey and snowboard in the winter; and just a few go to parties and clubs. They are very helpful at home, very responsible if their parents tell them to do something, and very obedient with curfews.
I asked this question to many of my friends: What is it of me that is similar to your culture? The only thing they said was, “Your personality.”
I didn’t like the language when I first arrived to Latvia. It was quite difficult to pronounce and write it. As the days, weeks and months went by I realized how beautiful the Latvian language is. I would read books and understand nothing… but it helped me a lot, and now speaking Latvian is such a wonderful thing for me. I feel very proud of speaking one more language…
When I get back to Peru, my life will be another reality. I’m going back with new beliefs and goals for success; and proud to have gone through such an experience. I will apply all this with my family and friends. I’m going to be a volunteer for AFS in my city.
Thanks to AFS Peru for giving me the opportunity to travel to such a distant country and living such a beautiful experience.
Carlos Payahua
Diversity Scholarship Winner
Peru to Latvia, 2004
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