My primary motivation for applying to Flex concerns my desire to learn and share the traditions of the United States. I have always been a very sociable person and am able to learn how to engage with other people in new social settings through a common dialect; this is why I think forming a good bond with the host family will not be a problem.
In Formula 1 activities where I practiced volunteering, we communicated and worked with foreigners which gave us an opportunity to bring our cultures together. There was an American who kept asking me so much about my country, Azerbaijan. Then, we started exchanging flags to show how our countries celebrate, and we talked about our holidays. This experience has readied me well to exchange customs with my host family. For instance, I would say that the Easter holiday and Novruz Bayram holidays have similarities because children also decorate preservative eggs for the Easter festival. However, in the US, the Easter bunny hides eggs and they search for them, while in Azerbaijan, children compete and start fighting with eggs, so the one with the last unbroken egg is declared the winner. And I am excited to learn more about this holiday from my host family and observe the celebration.
In addition to my cultural experiences, another trait of mine is that I am also meticulous about cleaning and tidying up. All of my things must always be neat, clean, and in order. Furthermore, I get along well with children, considering that I initiated an online project to teach school subjects to children with disabilities; so if I have a younger host sibling, I am certain we will become friends.
Finally, when I become a finalist in the program, the culture of Azerbaijan will be showcased in a new light.