After arriving from Turkmenistan to Iowa as a foreign exchange student, senior Ayzuleyha Ezizova walked the unfamiliar halls of East High School for the first time, not knowing what to expect. In a completely new place, she was ready to try new sports, meet new people, and begin a new chapter in her life. From that first day, adjusting to a new country, school, and culture wasn’t easy, but it quickly became an experience that shaped her entire senior year.

Ezizova grew up in Balkan, Turkmenistan, alongside her two sisters, Gulsahra and Gulbagt Ezizova, where she remained surrounded by a close-knit family and strong friendships. “Growing up in Turkmenistan was fun, but I was really busy because I was balancing school, studying English, going to rhythmic gymnastics, and hanging out with my friends,” Ezizova said. Turkmenistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and the Caspian Sea, is often overlooked, but it is rich in culture, striking marble architecture, and a diverse population.

While many students attend school without obstacles, Ezizova’s journey to East was far from ordinary. She went through a rigorous process of tests, evaluations, and interviews to be accepted into the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, a highly competitive, merit-based program with an acceptance rate of only two percent. FLEX provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, learn about American society and values, and share their own cultures with others. Participants also engage in community service, acting as ambassadors for their home countries.

Ezizova didn’t even know which state she would be placed in until just four days before her departure. Despite the uncertainty, she arrived prepared yet still faced unexpected challenges. “The hardest part about adjusting to a whole new country is the culture, how people interact with each other, and the fact that it’s always so busy,” Ezizova said.

Over time, that initial uncertainty began to fade. Ezizova grew more confident and involved within the East High School community. She joined cheer and track, attended school events, and volunteered within the community, fully immersing herself in Scarlet pride. Along the way, she also built strong friendships that helped make East feel like home. Senior Alyssa Burgos first met Ezizova in AP Statistics and immediately noticed her personality and determination. “She is very athletic, smart and ambitious,” Burgos said. Burgos also recalled the moment they first met, saying, “We first met in AP statistics, and she caught my attention,” Burgos said.

Ezizova’s impact extended beyond the classroom and athletics. Emma Dalton became friends with Ezizova after realizing they lived only a few houses away from one another, and over time their friendship grew into a close bond. Through school events, everyday conversations, and shared memories throughout the year, Dalton got to know Ezizova’s personality on a deeper level. “She is very funny and kind, she is the type of person that anyone can be her friend,” Dalton said. Dalton’s friendship with Ezizova became another example of how easily she connected with people and made a lasting impression on those around her.

“What I will miss the most about East is the community and the staff members; they’re so kind, supportive, and engaging,” Ezizova said.

Ezizova will return to Turkmenistan in June, carrying with her lasting memories and meaningful experiences. “It is unforgettable. I want to repeat everything that I did and start over again endlessly,” Ezizova said.

Though her time at East is coming to an end, the impact she made, and the journey she experienced, will stay with her long after she leaves, living with the East High School motto, “Once a Scarlet, always a Scarlet.”