My arrival in Philadelphia: A new life begins
On October 7, 2023, I set foot on American soil, ready to begin an adventure that would transform my life. From the moment I arrived in Philadelphia, everything seemed both exciting and a little intimidating. Although the city is famous for being the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, it's also a vibrant and dynamic place, full of surprises. I lived about 30 minutes from the city, in the suburb of Wayne, but that didn't stop me from quickly immersing myself in the local history and culture. Thanks to my host family, I found a warm place to settle in, but my first steps in this new life were fraught with challenges. The language, habits and culture were very different from what I'd experienced in France. However, every day was an opportunity to discover new facets of my life in the United States. I explored Philadelphia's iconic neighborhoods, such as Independence Hall, and visited typical spots like the Reading Terminal Market. Little by little, even though I didn't live in the heart of the city, Philadelphia became my new home.
Presentation of my first host family
My host family consisted of two American parents and their two children: Reed, a 5-year-old boy when I arrived, and Emilia (or Emi), a 4-year-old girl. They lived 30 minutes from Philadelphia, in the town of Wayne, a fairly affluent residential neighborhood. Just 5 minutes from my home was the largest shopping mall on the East Coast, the King of Prussia Mall. Reed, the little boy, was funny, energetic, and adorable. He loved playing with cars, coloring, drawing, cooking little meals, but most of all, spending time with his beloved sister. Emi, the youngest, was a sweetheart! Always full of life and enthusiasm, she had an irresistible sense of humor and an incredible charm. She loved dancing and gymnastics and, of course, playing with her big brother. With me, they were lovely, but as soon as their parents were around, they became very demanding and difficult, crying over the smallest things. My host parents were very kind, especially during my first few months. They made my arrival an enriching experience, taking me on weekend trips regularly, which helped me better understand American culture. They were very attentive and quickly made me feel at home. They guided me kindly in my daily life and brought a positive energy to the house thanks to their children, always full of life and laughter. With their support and warm welcome, I was able to settle in smoothly and start this adventure on a very positive note. Over time, however, the relationship deteriorated. They started going away for weekends without me and never informed me of their return time, leaving me unsure whether I should wait for them to eat. At first, they paid for my gas, but by February, they started asking me to cover it myself, saying every dollar mattered to them. In short, the beginning of my stay was idyllic, but things gradually worsened. I had hoped to keep in touch with them after leaving to stay updated on the kids, but if I don’t reach out first, I don’t hear from them.
First month: Halloween
October is Halloween month, and here in the U.S., this holiday is a big deal! From the moment I arrived at my hosts' house, I was treated to celebrations almost every week. I'd never celebrated Halloween so much in my life! In this photo, you can see the trick or treat organized at my little one's school. Costumed parents decorate their cars and set up game booths for the kids to collect candy. I've also had the opportunity to admire some incredible decorations in houses for Halloween, a real show of creativity and spooky atmosphere !
November: Thanksgiving
My first American Thanksgiving was in New York City. My host mom has family there, and we went to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was my first time in NYC! We stayed for a week. Since it was my first visit, I absolutely had to see everything! So I visited all the sights: Grand Central: the train station, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge and Dumbo, Times Square, and I even got to admire the Christmas decorations that were already up! I also attended the NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade. Well, I have to say, it's not all that impressive... It's much better on TV! The parade started at 8:30 a.m., and I got there at 6 a.m. because I'd been warned that it would be very crowded. By 6am, it was already packed, and there wasn't a single place in front of the barriers. The parade was very long, because there was no music to set the mood, and we had to wait between each float for the others to move on. If you're thinking of going one day, it's a must-see experience, but once is enough!
December : Christmas
My family came to visit me from France for Christmas! My hosts had gone to Michigan to celebrate the holidays with my host dad's parents, so they left us their house and car. It was incredible! We visited Philadelphia and went to New York to see the Statue of Liberty and the Museum of Natural History, which is really impressive! Admittedly, admission is a bit pricey, but it's well worth it!
January: New Year in New York City
I celebrated New Year's Eve in New York with my friends, in a rooftop with an incredible view of the city! It was really great. One of my friends found promoters, these people who work for nightclubs and let girls in for free. However, for New Year's Eve, there were no free parties! In the end, we paid $100 instead of the usual $500 for entry, which is still a nice saving !
February: Skiing with my hosts
My hosts decided to take the children skiing for the first time, and I had the opportunity to teach my little ones to ski, alongside my host dad. While I looked after one, the dad looked after the other, because managing both at the same time was really mission impossible! What's more, Emi had taken a 30-minute ski lesson (I think) with an instructor, which helped her progress.
March: Cooking with my little ones
I loved cooking with my little ones! They too were always delighted to participate. Together, we'd make homemade pasta, cookies, pancakes, homemade bread and lots of delicious cakes. It was a real bonding moment. They loved to help me mix, add ingredients and, of course, lick the spoon at the end (as did I, by the way! 😊). Those moments in the kitchen became precious memories, as they allowed us not only to create great dishes, but also to share moments of joy and laughter.
April: The month of my birthday
I was lucky enough to celebrate my 23rd birthday in the United States! The first celebration was with my class, to validate credits (I'll tell you more about that in another section). Then, my hosts took me to a Texas restaurant, as I had told them about my trip to Texas and how much I loved the atmosphere and the food there. What's more, my host mom knew I was a big fan of red meat! But the most memorable part of the meal was when they brought out a special dessert for my birthday. In this restaurant, when it's your birthday, they put you on a horse saddle in front of everyone, and the waiters shout your name at the top of their lungs throughout the restaurant to wish you a happy birthday! It was absolutely hilarious, and I loved this little moment of madness! Finally, I celebrated with my girlfriends at Cheesecake Factory. It was a great time of laughter and indulgence, with a big slice of cheesecake to round off my 23rd birthday in style!
May: Mother's Day
It's Mother's Day month, and knowing that my little ones love to draw and paint, I had the idea of getting them to make a canvas painting to give to their mom. They're really creative, and I'd found plenty of inspiration on Pinterest. I showed them several examples, then asked them what they liked best. After choosing their designs, I helped them create their artworks. It was a really fun activity to do together! The kids were super focused, and seeing their little faces light up as they made their creations was a very special moment. A great way to celebrate the day and let them express their love through art!
June: Pool Opening
My hosts have a huge swimming pool in their garden, and with the weather having been superb since May, they decided to open the pool. My little ones and I were thrilled, looking forward to it! We went there every afternoon to enjoy the sun and the water. I took the opportunity to teach them to swim without armbands and to dive, which was a great experience. It was really great to see them progress and have fun in the water. Every afternoon was a little party, and those moments of relaxation and laughter will remain engraved in my memory!
July: Imagine Dragons Concert
I went to see Imagine Dragons in concert with my friend Julie! We struggled to get seats next to each other. In the end, we found seats in the same row, but not side by side. Our plan was to ask people to move up one seat, but unfortunately they didn't want to. As a result, we spent the whole concert apart. Still, it was a great experience! The atmosphere was incredible, and the Imagine Dragons songs were really great. Even if we weren't able to be together for the whole concert, it was still a great memory and a memorable moment!
August: Last Night
In August, I organized my last party with all my French friends from Philadelphia, as everyone was starting to leave: some were going back to France, others were changing host families and states. Anyway, I really wanted to do something special before my departure, to bring everyone together one last time!
It was an amazing night! The theme was "white," except for Amel and me, because it was a bit like our night (Amel was leaving in a week). We ate s'mores around the fire, just like in American movies – it was really magical! And to top it all off, my friends threw me into the pool, as they should, since it was my party!
It was the perfect moment to close this chapter of my adventure in Philadelphia, and a memory I will never forget!
September: The Big Departure
And there it was, my first year was coming to an end. My hosts took me to an Italian restaurant for our last meal together!
My first year in the United States was an unforgettable adventure, full of discoveries, challenges, and memorable moments. Spending time with my host children was at the heart of this experience. I was lucky enough to share a variety of activities with them: teaching them to swim without floaties, cooking together, celebrating their birthday, and even accompanying them on their first skiing experiences. These moments of bonding, filled with laughter and small victories, have become precious memories that will stay in my heart.
Of course, like in any adventure, there were ups and downs. Taking care of children isn’t always easy, and some days were harder than others. But in return, discovering a new culture, a new language, and watching the children thrive in a different environment was an incredibly enriching experience.
In the end, this year allowed me to grow, discover myself, and realize how transformative an experience abroad can be. Every day was a new opportunity to learn, and even though not everything was easy, I wouldn't change a thing about this experience. It was an incredible year that opened up new perspectives and allowed me to live unique moments.
First Year in the USA: Month by Month