April 8, 2024

April 2024 American Abroad Student of the Month

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Abroad participant, Alexander Arabadzhiev, is the U.S. Department of State’s April 2024 American Abroad Student of the Month. Alexander is from Massachusetts and is currently attending high school in Georgia.
 

Alex has adapted successfully to the different structure and expectations of his host school like classes being taught in Georgian and longer school days than that of his American high school.  He was inspired by friendliness and kindness from school administrators and classmates and learned to embrace the extra-curricular side of high school life.  
 

Alex began assisting in English conversation classes for the school’s elementary program within the first week of starting class, with no prior teaching experience.  “The role required striking a delicate balance between being entertaining and emphasizing the significance of following the classroom rules,” Alex shared.  He often used his knowledge of American culture to lead discussions in cultural differences, which helped his students gain insights into the United States and its traditions but also helped Alex broaden his knowledge as it gave him an opportunity to see Georgia through their eyes.  His experiences led to playing a larger role during the school’s winter English camp.  Alex also took part in TEDxforYouth, where he was selected by his host school to give a speech entitled, Embracing the Limitless Possibilities of “What If” to Shape a Future, Where Dreams and Imagination are the Catalysts for Change.
 

Alex started the Buckswood Sports Committee, a student-led club that explores new ways to promote sports and general physical activity within the school. They organized a school-wide ping pong tournament to raise money for a local organization that supports underprivileged children.  Alex also organized his school’s first basketball team in seven years. The team coordinated with other local schools to schedule competitive games and even won the very first game!  His host school installed basketball hoops in the gym and began looking into hiring a basketball coach.  Alex shared, “This gesture meant so much to me, and I am so glad to see our school represented and competing in basketball.”
 

Outside of school, Alex has given presentations to Georgian alumni of the FLEX program about applying to universities in the United States. He spent the New Year’s holiday with extended family in their village, going from house to house singing the Georgian traditional Christmas song “Alilio.” 
 

Congratulations, Alex!

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