My First Football Game
Exchange student from Romania in high school football uniform

The nerves and joys of jumping in

I had my first American football match today! It was way more fun than I expected it to be. Before the match, during school, on the bus, I kept saying that I didn’t really want to play. I was saying I wasn’t ready and I should have more time to practice. But we got there and I knew there was no turning back.

I knew I had to focus and listen to everything the coaches were telling me and everything would be alright. And so I went, did my best, and even though we did not win the match, I knew I won in other ways. I won by getting to play alongside my fellow teammates, and I won by spending time with them and making good memories. I am excited for the matches to come. I will do my best, and I hope the results are in our favor.

And this is what this exchange year is all about: doing activities I wouldn't normally feel comfortable doing. It’s about really getting out of my comfort zone and still having fun.

Thank you FLEX and PAX for this opportunity!

—Marian (FLEX, Romania), hosted by the Lemmon family (WA)