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Exchange Student from Tajikistan meets personal trainer in Houston |
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Many teens come to the USA to learn about a different environment and to promote better relationships between countries by understanding a culture other than their own. Recently Personal Trainer Melissa had the opportunity to meet Vadim, a seventeen year old foreign exchange student, from Tajikistan who is attending high school in North Houston and learning about this country from his host family, the Benjamins.
After hearing about the foreign exchange student and his home country, which is almost two days of flying away from Houston, the personal trainer learned that Vadim used to work out a lot with a serious bodybuilder but had to stop the intensive training due to a life threatening illness. She also learned that he now has a dream to return to the United States and attend Lone Star Community College and he also hopes to bring his fitness level up gradually as he fully recovers.
"About two years ago I had two major goals in my life. One of them was to learn English, and the other was to go to America which I have done this past year as a foreign exchange student.. I've met both of those goals. I started learning English, I spent hours on my English assignments and learning words and grammar. When there was an opportunity for me to be an exchange student to the United States, it involved a very long process and only about 70 people were chosen from one thousand students. It was an honor for me to be chosen as an exchange student and this year has had a great impact on my life. The experiences I have received are priceless. One of the most significant things I learned was the importance of accepting responsibilities. "
Foreign exchange student Vadim continued by saying "My next goal is to further my studies in America. I would like to come back in the fall of this year and attend Lone Star College. My educational plan is to pursue a degree in international affairs. It is important in this time of a global economy to have good international relationships. I have always dreamed of living in a place in the world where I have never been before. It has been interesting for me to find the similarities and differences between the US and my home country, Tajikistan. It would be of great value for me to study in the United States. I have heard the expression 'The American dream" . People come to the United States to make their dreams come true. I want The American dream to come true in my life."
Vadim told the Houston Personal trainer and her friends that before he arrived in Texas, he believed all the stereotypes about this part of the country, and even thought that when he got off the airplane, the first thing he would see would be cowboys riding around on horses. In the below photo Vadim was excited to see that cowboys and horses are still a big part of the appeal of Texas.
Vadim has asked that those who know him pray for him because his journey has several roadblocks that could prevent him from realizing his dream. These roadblocks were described by him as follows...
1) I need to apply for and receive an F-1 Visa. The road block here is that I need to have financial backing in order to receive this visa. I either need at least $15,000 in the bank, or someone to sign as a sponsor for me while I'm is studying. (For perspective, my parents make less than $300/month in Tajikistan. This sort of money is out of their ability to support me.)
2) I needs to apply to and be accepted into Lone Star College, which is dependent upon having his F-1 visa
3) I need to apply for scholarships which are dependent upon me first getting accepted into Lone Star.
4) I would need transportation, insurance, etc. when returning (which could be taken care of under the $15k)
5) I would need to be able to work or have some sort of income while I'm here (possibly, not sure yet about how that part of the visa works)
There are several other little things that would need to take place as well for all of this to happen in time for me to attend classes in the fall. The first hurdle is a money hurdle. The Benjamin's, my host family, are able to help me with a place to stay but beyond that they do not have the resources to sponsor me for my education.
Personal Trainer Melissa offered to help promote Vadim on her website for personal training so that friends in Houston who have ideas on how to help him can get in touch with him.
His email address is
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and his cell phone # is 832-928-2008 if you would like to contact him.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 August 2011 03:03 |
