She's come a long way in just a year. Titis is one of about 160 students nationwide who spent the 2003­04 school year participating in a study abroad, high school exchange program. The Youth Exchange and Study program brings high school students from predominantly Muslim countries to live and study in America, as part of the State Department's response to the events of 9-11. The program's intent is to build bridges of cross-cultural understanding, friendship and peace between Americans and Muslims, Titis said.

"I'm kind of sad leaving my host family and friends, but I'm excited to see my family after a year," Titis said, before she returned home last month to Jakarta, Indonesia.

The YES initiative is offered through the Program of Academic Exchange, a nonprofit educational organization that promotes and arranges international student exchange. It is federally funded and administered through the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

"Before I came here, I was afraid to go to the United States," Titis said. "I was afraid after Sept. 11 about how Muslims were treated. But I came to California, and everyone respects each other so much."

Titis, along with two young men from Egypt and Turkey, spent the past year living in the Saratoga, Mountain View and Los Altos areas. Their stay with host families was arranged by YES Bay Area coordinator Karen Hagewood.

During her visit, Titis had the opportunity to do and see everything she planned, from a trip to Disneyland to snowboarding in Tahoe and a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge. She enjoyed hanging out with her new friends at Starbucks, learning American jokes and expressions, watching DVDs, sleeping in on weekends, and even going to the prom at the Los Gatos Opera House in May.

"The best part was the white limo, because I've never been in a limo," Titis said.

Even though Titis didn't qualify to graduate during Prospect High School's commencement ceremonies in June, she led the procession as a guest of honor. Back in Indonesia, Titis will have to repeat her senior year.

"It's worth it, though," she said. "I learned a lot."

One piece of advice Titis had for future exchange students is to be prepared to answer a lot of questions. Prospect students frequently inquired about Titis' habits of praying, fasting and wearing a scarf covering her long, dark hair. As part of her custom, Titis can only show her hands, face and feet, and believes she was called by God to wear the scarf on her head.

Titis was not only on the principal's honor roll as a straight-A student, she was also a member of Junior Achievement and made the quarter finals on the school's mock-trial team. The three Bay Area YES scholars also introduced their native cultures and homelands to their classes, civic groups and communities. Titis participated in the Key Club, a community-service organization, and had her artwork displayed in Campbell Union High School District's art show.

Wanting to participate in everything that Prospect had to offer, the petite Titis even tried her hand at throwing shot put and discus for the track team. Even though she's learned sports are not her strength, she met many friends in the process. Titis has plans to become a diplomat in the future. She reflected on how thrilled she was to have participated in the exchange program.

"We are all enrolled in a full-time informal school called 'life' where experience is the best teacher, and I want my life to be filled with valuable lessons so I can increase my knowledge and develop myself," she said. "Then, I can hope to help improve people's understanding of each other."

Because of the success of this year's initiative, the YES program will triple in size for the 2004­05 school year. Hagewood is seeking homes for three new YES students who will arrive this month.

Families interested in becoming host families can contact Hagewood directly at 415.928.7894 or email her at hagewood@pacbell.net. For more information about the program, call the Program of Academic Exchange national office at 800.555.6211 or visit www.pax.org.