This was by far the hardest thing I had to do in my life. When you have to look into your parents eyes and say good-bye for a year it is difficult. Of course, it's hard to say good-bye to friends too, but when you have to look into the eyes of the people who've cared for you for so long, it's different. I gave them both a hug, said what words of encouragement that I could think of, and then walked away. I cried on the plane, but then I realized it was time to grow up...I wasn't just a little boy anymore.
When I walked off the plane I saw the biggest group of people that I had ever seen in my life. I was so shocked that I just stood there, five seconds later I heard a big shout over the crowd, "KYLE!" That was my host dad. From that point on everything was fine.