Linda and Duane are my American family and Joe is my dear friend. My gratitude for all they have done is unending.

When I was 17, I knew that English proficiency would open the world to me. My teacher, Josef Boček, put me in touch with an American from California who came to my hometown of Třebíč to teach English conversation. Duane Ausherman and I met often to better my command of the language.

My parents invited Duane to live with us for the last two months of his stay. Duane asked me what my biggest dream was. I replied, “Living in the U.S.A. for a year to perfect my English.” He said, “Why don’t you pursue it? You could come and stay with us.” It seemed impossible but my mother, a woman of action, smiled and said, “We will sell our car, purchase the air ticket, and you can go.” I could hardly believe her words.

In August 1997, I arrived at the Sacramento airport. I lived in California’s Central Valley with Linda and Duane Ausherman and attended Galt High School for that year. I began to dream about going to college in the U.S.A. One of the neighbors knew a trustee of Central College in Pella, Iowa and put in a good word for me. The major challenge was finding the funds to cover my college expenses. My dream came true when Duane and Linda, along with their friend, Joe Groeger, financed my studies at Central.

Linda and Duane are my American family and Joe is my dear friend. My gratitude for all they have done is unending.