High school back home, Newark High School, has always been open to foreign exchange programs. Many families in the community support the program as well. The Weeks family is one of the biggest supporters of this program hosting over 20 exchange students since the program began. During my senior year, they hosted Fikri Rachman from Jogiakarta, Indonesia. Little did I know that Fikri would become one of my closest friends my senior year of high school. I am so thankful for the time he and I got to spend together while he was here in America.

It takes a total of 26 hours to fly from Indonesia to America, including flight transfers in Singapore and Turkey. After arriving to O’Hare International Airport, Fikri quickly noticed many differences between Indonesia and America. Besides the language, the biggest change he experienced was the food. “There was a lot of pork,” he commented, making it difficult for a practicing Muslim.

Fikri’s first day at Newark High School will be one that he will never forget. When asked about his experience, he said “Awkward, but warm. (I had) never meet (you guys) before, but I feel that all of you will be my family.” As far as schoolwork goes, Fikri took to it very well. “In Indonesia, school is much more harder. In here (America), we just have to learn eight subjects within five days of school, while in Indonesia you have to learn at least 18 subjects within six days of school. Also we wear uniform to go to school and aren’t allowed to drive a car to school.” The first time I met Fikri was in my Modern Issues class with one of my favorite teachers. When Fikri took a seat near my friends and I, I was quick to get excited about getting to know him.

Friends also came easily to him. With Homecoming just around the corner, Fikri quickly became acclimated with the senior class. The seniors helped him get connected to clubs and activities that he was interested in and accepted him in their Homecoming shenanigans. One of my favorite memories of Fikri was the night of homecoming. He and I ended up being in the same homecoming group so we ended up riding together to the dance. On way there, I Want It That Way by NSYNC came on and Fikri began to sing along. It turned out that that was one of his favorite songs ever and the two of us ended up jamming to NSYNC all the way to the dance! I am still thankful to this day that we got to share that experience together.

Throughout the school year, Fikri became involved in many of the activities the small town of Newark has to offer. These activities include running sound for the drama club, competing in Magic: The Gathering tournaments, managing the Lady Norsemen basketball team, leading the Norsemen cheer section as the mascot, playing baseball on the school team, and helping his host parents with church activities. He got to know my family and I well through drama club and managing the basketball team I played on and he would even get my youngest sister to goof around with him. His free and funny spirit always brought about a laugh.

Throughout the school year, Fikri attended many events that became memories that he will never forget. When asked was his fondest memory of his time in America was, he said “When I was a manager of the Lady Norsemen Basketball. A lot of memories created in that time. I felt happy when the team won and disappointed when they lost. It was just awesome.” Not only was Fikri the manager for my team, he was the mascot for the Men’s Basketball and Lady’s Volleyball teams and the crowd loved him!

Fikri’s experience in America will be one that he will always treasure. “It’s like I am dreaming. I realized that I am living my dream (to be a foreign exchange student), a dream that I started to chase since I was a child. A lot of people here take for granted their town, but they do not realize how great a place it (Newark) is.” Although it was hard to see Fikri return home at the end of the school year, it was exciting to know that he was about to see his friends and family in Indonesia for the first time in a long time.

And this, this is for you Fikri. Thank you for being one of my closest friends my Senior year. I will always treasure the times we spent together. It was so cool to see things through another person’s eyes and learn so much about your culture. You were my drama club buddy, prom date, and will always be my Indonesian brother! I know deep down that we will see each other again, we just need to be patient. Until then, looks like we will just have to chat through Facebook (;