How do you react when one of the host family relatives dies on the day of your arrival? How to overcome bullying and turn your deepest fears into career opportunities? This and other contradictory topics we covered in our new episode of Exchange Me show with co-host Tetyana Kondrya.

 Valeriia Rudnichenko is originally from Zhytomyr, Ukraine. She is now studying in Poland to become a nutritionist. She was one of the lucky ones who got to live in California during her exchange year, but her most important journey was not geographical – but to self-love, confidence, and self-esteem.

00:01 Preview

00:23 – Intro

01:53 – Pre-FLEX state of mind

03:32 – on shared FLEX quality and dream come true

06:55 – Tanya’s “finding out” video

10:38 – on the unknown of the temporary placement

12:40 – Visalia, CA

15:25 – on the adventure flight

20:10 – on dealing with death in the host family

24:14 – “Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution family”

27:32 – on school experience

29:08 – demanding sports in USA

31:40 – culture shock of school dances

36:53 – volunteering and UNICEF

38:04 – the nicest memory

39:27 – Self-esteem, self-love and lessons learnt

41:22 – on the weight journey

43:23 – the hardest year moving to Poland

46:50 – advice to yourself

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