Majd, an exchange student from Gaza, shares her remarkable journey navigating her senior year in an American high school. She juggles the excitement of new experiences with the emotional weight of her home situation amid conflict. Majd captures the joy of Halloween festivities as Hermione Granger while grappling with distressing news from home. Her story highlights the struggles of cultural identity, homesickness, and the quest for connection, revealing how she finds moments of joy and belonging amidst uncertainty and challenges.
High school seniors cherish their final year, feeling a sense of 'last timeness' as they navigate unique traditions and friendships.
International students, like Muzz, face challenges balancing cultural differences and personal aspirations while coping with the emotional weight of conflict back home.
Deep dives
The Weight of Senior Year
Seniors in high school are acutely aware of their final year together, cherishing every moment as they anticipate the changes that lie ahead. They express feelings of 'last timeness,' recognizing that this is their final opportunity to participate in cherished traditions such as prom and senior sunset. As they navigate through their plans for the year, they engage in humorous activities, including unique experiences like 'trash bagging,' adding a sense of nostalgia to what they consider quintessential high school moments. This longing drives them to prioritize being together with friends, even going so far as to plead with counselors to have classes and lunches together.
A Journey Through the YES Program
The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program offers international students, particularly from predominantly Muslim countries, a unique opportunity to experience American high school life. For many applicants, like Muzz, the program represents a chance to escape their past and build a brighter future through education and cultural immersion. Muzz's determination to succeed academically is evident as she balances her cultural aspirations with lofty academic goals, focusing on obtaining the best grades to secure scholarships for prestigious universities. The rigorous application process for YES not only highlights the ambition of these students but also underscores the low acceptance rate that makes this opportunity even more valuable.
Navigating Identity and Culture
As Muzz navigates high school in the U.S., she grapples with cultural differences while striving for social acceptance in an environment where fun and social connection are highly valued. Her experiences reveal a complex navigation of her identity, especially as she stands out as a Muslim student within a predominantly different demographic. Participating in classic American traditions, such as prom and sporting events, helps her feel connected to her peers, yet the juxtaposition of her reality back home adds layers of emotional complexity to her high school experience. Muzz's desire to fit in clashes with her fears and concerns for her family in Gaza, complicating her journey to embrace the American high school experience fully.
The Impact of Conflict
As events escalate in Gaza, Muzz and her peers face the overwhelming burden of living through a war while trying to maintain their daily high school lives in America. Updates from home bring anxiety and trauma, and Muzz finds herself in a constant battle between engaging in typical teenage activities and the heavy reality of her family’s situation. The emotional turmoil becomes evident as she shares moments of joy on social media, often receiving backlash from friends back home who feel abandoned or jealous of her seemingly carefree existence. This reveals the profound tension between her responsibilities as an exchange student enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience and her ties to a life overshadowed by uncertainty and loss.
Prologue: We talk to high school seniors in Salt Lake City who are trying to have the perfect year. (5 minutes)
Act One: Every year, thousands of teenagers come from all over the world to experience American high school. Last year, thirteen students from Palestine came to the US on a program sponsored by the US State Department. We tell the story of a girl named Majd, from Gaza, and her extraordinary year in America. (50 minutes)