FLEX Scholarship to the U.S.: A Lithuanian Teen's Exchange Year Story — Dominyka's Story

What does it take to leave Lithuania at 16, earn a fully-funded U.S. State Department scholarship, and spend a year discovering who you really are?In this episode of Life Exchanged: Stories of Understanding, host Kelsey Ross sits down with Dominyka McMeel, a FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) scholar from Lithuania who spent her exchange year in Northern California with YFU USA. Dominyka opens up about earning one of the most competitive international exchange scholarships available to students from Eastern Europe, navigating culture shock, joining cheerleading, winning a film competition, and finding the community that made her feel like she truly belonged — on New Year's Eve, surrounded by her host family and new friends.This is the first FLEX Program episode on Life Exchanged, and Dominyka's story is one of resilience, courage, and saying yes to everything.Whether you're a student considering a year abroad, a parent on the fence, or a host family thinking about opening your home — this episode is for you.Topics covered:What the FLEX Program is and how to apply as an Eastern European studentThe FLEX application, essay, and interview processYFU USA host family experience and placementCulture shock: Lithuanian vs. American high school lifeHow studying abroad builds confidence, resilience, and adaptabilityCheerleading, filmmaking, and finding community as an exchange studentAmerican holidays, traditions, and cultural differencesAdvice for students and families considering international exchange programsFollow Dominyka on TikTok: @dominyka.abroadLearn more about YFU USA: yfuusa.orgLearn more about the FLEX Program: exchanges.state.govChapters:00:00 - She Burst Into Tears the Moment She Landed00:44 - Meet Dominyka — Exchange Student from Lithuania01:55 - The FLEX Program & How Hard It Is to Get In03:44 - The Application & Interview Process05:12 - Building Confidence & Convincing Her Parents08:15 - The Call That Changed Everything09:19 - Getting Placed & Meeting Her Host Family13:11 - Expectations vs. Reality of the US14:35 - Arriving in America — The Emotional Moment16:09 - First Week: Jet Lag, School & Making Friends20:50 - Lithuania vs. US School Systems23:38 - Cheerleading, Filmmaking & Finding Her Passions28:12 - Homecoming, Holidays & American Traditions30:45 - Sharing Lithuanian Culture with Her Host Family34:14 - The Hard Parts of Exchange & Overcoming Them39:17 - How Exchange Changed Her Perspective on Home42:56 - What's Still to Come — Prom, Sports & LA45:33 - Life After Exchange & Keeping in Touch49:01 - Her Advice: Say Yes to Everything51:08 - The Moment She Knew She BelongedHost & Producer: Kelsey RossEditor & Producer: Mel Dyjak