Youth Exchange

Here is what the Students are Saying
about there Rotary Youth Exchange  Experiences!
I went to renew my visa. Okay, so I did that by myself. Pretty cool huh? I had to ask for it myself AND in French! I felt so proud afterwards. - Puqui Rojas, USA in France We drove to my host mom's house to stay the night. Their house was in the country on hundreds of acres of vineyard ! The house was built in 1865, a very traditional French home. We took a walk around the small town and ate grapes from the vines, the view was amazing, I felt like I was in a postcard! Sorry if my report is long, there is no way to explain everything - Fauna Shaw, USA in France I'm working at the Olympics. The most exciting thing that has happened so far is I was in the crowd at the taping of the Today Show and the camera got a shot of me in the crowd and it was only for a split second but hey I got on National TV. My parents and grandparents have it on tape. I run results to the world press, Olympic officials, and Olympic families. And I was taking my break two days ago and there was Brian Gumble for NBC and I got to shake his hand. - Chris Troxell, USA in Australia I went on another Rotary event. We went mudding in Groningen. The Dutch call it wadlopen. This is very Dutch thing to do. When the tide is low the sea bottom is visible and you can walk on it with guides. Host brothers and host sisters were also invited. Felice and I went. Anke couldn't imagine walking through mud. The thought horrified her. I loved being up to mud past my ankles and you got stuck in it. You feel all dirty. It was great. - Corinne Gallet de St. Aurin, USA in Holland All of my classmates are really enthusiastic and excited about me being here. Of course the guys only want to know what you are doing Saturday night or when you can get together for a 'crash course' in the languge of romance. - Krissy Hanna, Bahamas in Brazil I dress very preppy now, I don't like it but if I dress like I do in the U.S., I'll be considered a slob. That's right, I'm tucking my shirts in - John Deluca, Ohio-Erie in Brazil The Rotary here does not accept woman, so I was the only female in a room full of men; I never felt like a minority until that moment. It was a bit intimidating. I had about five minutes of a presentation I received a standing ovation and felt very happy - Ursula Prado, Florida in The Netherlands Recently my host father, my Japanese friend Satoshi, and I sailed to an island in the Swedish archipelago called Agön to stay overnight. The purpose of this sailing trip was to celebrate the darkest evening in Sweden at Borka (a Swedish town) because there was no moon present. There we met my host mother and Satoshi's host parents who joined in the celebration. That experience was simply shocking because it was darkness I never before experienced. The most beautiful thing about this event was that there were candles everywhere and the scenery was real pretty. - Angelo Mortimer from Florida in Sweden Kids from the upper classes cannot have part-time jobs. When I told my sisters that several of my friends have part-time jobs, they almost fell over. "And you're friends with them!" - Rachel Trent, USA in India My Dutch is progressing. I'm currently on the reading level of a 7 year old. I'm not afraid to speak anymore even though I sound like an idiot. - Corrine, Florida in The Netherlands I looked around for my host father and there he was with all smiles. We clicked right away and you could see that he was extremely happy to see me. The minute I walked outside I started to shiver. It's already like a Bahamian winter here. We talked and talked and talked and talked and then all of a sudden I fell asleep. Jet lag is horrible. I regret snoring in my host fathers face but I am sure he understood. - Angelo from Grand Bahama Island in Sweden I am so glad that I got Austria as my country. Herr Zeller, the Rotary guy taking care of us, is really nice and tolerant of our stupidity. I love it here. The keyboard is different so it's confusing to type. I'll write more later. - Luky from Florida in Austria Mind boggling, fascinating, unique,just simply beautiful, I stood in the midst of it all. I felt confident, yet I was afraid of changing worlds. I kept saying to myself, is this real or am I living in a fantasy world. - Krissy Hanna D6990 Florida arrives in Londrina, Brazil All the girls here wear tight pants. I don't mind this. The women are incredibly beautiful, and very nice and open, and smart. They wear high heeled shoes and leather butterfly jackets. Also another style here is to dress like a cowboy. It's very funny, the guys dress like cowboys, but classy. I think it's a little ridiculous, many people here think so too. - John Deluca, Ohio-Erie in Brazil My first few days were strange. I had cried when I left. it came over me all of a sudden as my father was holding me and trying to convince me that he had a good feeling about my leaving for a year. Natalie, my sister, wouldn't even look at me. When I got to the international airport in Mumbai (Bombay) three days later, and went to the restroom (which was a hole in the ground), I had an alarming sense of realization that I was in a foreign environment. - Rachel Trent, USA in India I left Ontario for Brazil two days ago. I believe that the Rotary Blazers are an invaluable tool. Just by having my big red Canadian Blazer, I immediately sparked interest from other travelers. There is nothing more comforting than when a stranger becomes a friend and re-assures you that your journey will be an exciting and memorable one. - Mike Laundry from Canada in Brazil The family ties in India are much stronger. They eat all of their meals together, they take time to talk to each other, they don't give their children their own rooms where they can close themselves off from the rest of the family. the family is important. And it shows. - Rachel Trent from USA in India I wholeheartedly thank you, for without your contribution, the world would remain stagnant and would not produce the fine young men and women you have put out to champion the cause and challenge the world today. Krissy Hannah, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas on her way to Brazil I was atop Mt. Fuji, looking down over what was the Promised Land for me, and wondering how it happened, and how I did it. No answer came back. - Joe Joseph from D6990 Florida at the end of his exchange in Japan Rotary Youth Exchange A Poem to Us Suzana Zelenicka, Slovakia In the summer when we met we were like small scared birds afraid to talk, everyone had their own small world and didn't allow anyone to step in. In the autumn, steps were heard from all sides finding their way, wondering was heard when you let your words loose In the winter, half-time came with hugs and kisses, deep secrets were released when we were curling together in our sleeping bags In the spring we were singing together WE ARE ONE WORLD and didn't care about others because we were important, best friends forever In the summer, like birds returning home we have to leave with them on their wings we're standing in the rain of tears from our hearts when everybody goes to different sides North, South, East, West, everywhere We are going home and leaving a little star behind and all those stars will join together and create the sky Our sky. Argentina is the second home that God gave me. - Linda Ramirez D5100 (OR/WA) on exchange to D4930 Patagonia Argentina I just returned from the airport this morning. I went to say good-bye to my best friend from Mexico. Why doesn't anyone ever tell you how hard the good-byes really are. - Marie Lively D6990 Florida on exchange in Austria I just want to take this time to tell you what a wonderful time I had in Japan. As you know I went to visit and return home with Hanif. The host families that took care of my son were some of the most loving, caring, sweetest people that I have ever met in my entire life. They treated Hanif just like one of their own children. They treated me as if I were an old friend that they had known for years. I just find it hard to express how good this has made me feel. The people in Japan are some of the most warm and caring people that I have ever met. I just loved everything even the sushi. The host families treated me so very, very good. They made me feel like royalty. - Muslimah Suluki, Mom of exchange student Hanif D7470 I was writing an email to my Dad in France, and there was this sentence "I think that I will have to ship some stuff home". The problem was that I couldn't remember AT ALL how to say "shipping" in French, my own language. It's actually such a wonderful thing! I THINK IN ENGLISH! I am so happy! And I so don't want to go home! - Melanie, from France on exchange in Canada. How has this year changed me? It has opened my eyes to a new, broader, different prospective on life and human purpose. It is magic what we had this past year. It is something that binds our minds and our souls without materialistic concerns, without caring for our flag colors, our accents or our middle names. It was magic the moment we discovered that we were not so alone after all - Elidor Mehilli from Albania on exchange in Texas. Our daughter Ashley (and all our children) grew up with exchange students in our home. They have never known prejudice which I feel is because of our giving them exposure to all the other cultures we have shared. In addition, we requested at her passing that donations be made to the Rotary Foundation in her name. To date she has already been qualified as a Paul Harris Fellow. The out-pouring of love and support from our friends in Rotary has been overwhelming. I know without a doubt that this is one of the reasons why Stuart and I will continue to do Youth Exchange. Sharon Richardson, YEO D5240 Utah Terry Mohr, YEO D5100, OR.WA recently sent four short-term exchange students to District 1060, Birmingham, England. Enroute, flight delays resulted in a tight 29 minute connection in Newark - there was a good chance the four girls would spend an unpleasant over-night stay in the Newark airport - hotels were booked solid. Terry called the YEO nearest the Newark Airport - Ted Krisanda, D7470. Ted tracked the flight over the internet all day, met the exchange students at the gate, took them to their connection, checked them in, watched their luggage while they refreshed themselves, and called Terry from the gate area both before and after the plane pulled away. What is great about this story is that a mother of one of the exchange student was a little skeptical of Rotary Youth Exchange, due a bad experience hosting. After Ted's actions at the airport, this Mom has totally changed her opinion of Youth Exchange, and can hardly talk about how grateful she is to Ted and Rotary without tears coming to her eyes. Terry Mohr, YEO D5100, OR.WA hey!! this is Cris who is going back to Peru today :), I want to thank you for this 10 1/2 months here. I have learn a lot, you have no idea, like is not bad to be shy is just the way I am, or have a bigger mind (accept more new things), learn to love people of different cultures, find the good part of everything...and is just so hard to say BYE, really hard, ... is mix of feelings right now, thanks for be friends and like a family, con mucho amor un beso para ustedes - Cristina Berrocal going home to Peru I've returned from my long awaited European tour the end of May. It was all like a dream come true. My entire life I would have never imagined that I would be on a beach in Italy 'dipping' in the Mediterranean Sea or standing next to the Tower of Pizza, taking a picture. I would have never thought that I would be riding in a gondola in Venice, or crossing the famous Charles bridge in Prague, staring at the Balaton Sea in Hungry or driving through the Alps in Switzerland. I never dreamed that any of it would happen, but it did. - Demeeka from Grand Bahama Island on exchange in Germany Rhea, my little girl, who 12 months ago was too intimidated to order pizza over the phone, led me around Brazil as if I was a small child - Edie English on visiting her daughter on exchange in Brazil. Everything is absolutely wonderful in Australia. Better than I would have ever imagined. I really love it here. Am even thinking of returning to do graduate study in Queensland in a few years and major in Marine Biology. I think I'm turning into a true blue Aussie. Even played Cricket on the beach on Christmas day. Christy Hamm, Ohio in Australia Paris was totally unbelievable. I was in awe of the entire city. We were on the Eiffel Tower at night, and it was so spectacular. I don't know what happened really. But all of a sudden a friend of mine from Mexico just started to cry because it was so beautiful.. and we were all together, and you know exchange students (sometimes we can be a little emotional), here we are on the Eiffel Tower..about 30 of us and we are all hysterical crying like babies. It was wonderful. Then I guess God decided he would cry too. Because at that moment it started POURING and we were all soaking wet, on the biggest lightning rod in the world. What an experience. - Marie Lively from Florida in Austria At the District Conference, we did get to see, after about eighty hours of speeches by the governor of Osaka and district governor and chairman and president and president-elect and vice-president-in-chief and emperor... well, you get the point... an amazing Japanese music presentation, with taiko drums. A taiko is a huge drum that a guy sort of hangs off of and beats like a madman. - Joe Jones from Florida in Japan Before I came over here, I didn't see the magic in the Rotary. After this year I'm able to see it. I will join Rotary and try to help other kids to have the opportunity to have this wonderful experience, like we did in the past year. Thank you Rotary to making it possible for us to meet! Keep smiling and Worldpeace! - Peter Adam from Hungary in Texas Il y a qu'un seul problème. Je vais bientôt partir et je commence à être un petit peu triste. Je suis contente parce que je vais voir ma famille mais je ne veux pas dire au revoir. Yes I am leaving soon and I don't want to say goodbye - Yessica from Florida in France I experienced the traditional Swedish Easter in which we painted eggs, had an exquisite dinner, and then received football sized eggs filled with candy. It was wonderful.- Neil from Florida in Sweden I played squash and I was beaten by two beginner girls. I wasn't too proud of that, no offense to girls! - Neil Moise from Florida in Sweden Yesterday was my last day at school. I made a speech in Japanese in front of everybody. I did not even think to prepare myself that I might cry. But I looked into the front row and there was one of my classmates with this scrunched up face bawling and I lost it. My classmates broke a lot of Japanese rules yesterday such as showing emotion, hugging, and crying. - Forrest Dysart Oliphant in Japan Ecuador is so awesome. The people here are extremely nice. Already I don't want to go back to the USA. I am learning new things everyday. Life here is so tranquil. I am not stressed out as much, like in the States. I want to thank you for making my exchange to Ecuador possible. It means the world to me. - Julie Judge to Dennis Sanders, YEO D7670 North Carolina I had a great and unforgettable experience and that's all thanks to Rotary. When I first came and saw my mom so sick, I started thinking if my stay there was the best thing to do in those difficult times that my mom had to pass through; but then after talking to her, I realized that it really was. She never wanted me to come back and she never wanted to tell me the truth on what was going on. She knew that I was having such a great experience in South Carolina and that it meant a lot to me. I'm sure she needed me more than ever, but she wanted my happiness and success over anything in the world. After seeing me, she told me that there's nothing more important for a mother than seeing her daughter grow up and fight by herself in a world as difficult as ours. Now that she saw me more mature and ready to confront this world, she was confident that I could survive without her help, even though her soul will always be with me. (Special inbound student, hosted in South Carolina) District 6600 (Northwest Ohio) YEOs recently spent a weekend in Washington, DC on a field trip with our exchange students. During lunch we were approached by a very charming gal who excitedly asked us if we were with Rotary Youth Exchange. I think it was our 'ROTARY' hats that gave us away. Her name was Brady Beemer and she had spent 98-99 in Spain. She said "It was the best year of her life!" Where have we heard that before? She just kept repeating over and over, Thank You Rotary, Thank You Rotary. We chaperones were certainly on a high after that and our Inbounds who had a chance to meet her were also impressed. We gave her a card with the new website on it, she was thrilled to have it. Oh, by the way Brady was in Washington to represent her state of Nebraska as their princess in the Cherry Blossom Festival. - Jim and Sue Hunt, Wayne and Lori Fowler, Charlie and Lori Doyle, YEOs D6600 OH Hi, My name is Rocío Díaz and I was Exchange Student 1995-1996 in Pennsylvania. I am from Cochabamba, Bolivia. For me to be an Exchange Student was one of the greatest thing that I could feel. This is a great experience because you will feel like you are born again, because you have to learn a lot of things like language, style of life, learn a new culture, value all the things that have around you and before you didn't care about it, to pray every day I said thank's God for give me the opportunity to be part of the this Great Program. (Rocio Diaz, Bolivia) On a cold Sunday I went with my family to the Arima Onsen spa up in the mountains outside Kobe. It was an incredible experience. This place was absolutely unbelievable. It sits near the top of Mt. Rokko. One of the baths sits on the side of the mountain and has just a glass canopy over it so it looks out into a valley. I worried about perverts in the valley with telescopes, but the water was so hot and the scenery so beautiful and my washcloth so big that most of my problems seemed to disappear. - Joe from Florida in Japan I arrived at my second home, we had dinner together, and then it was time for my 1st family to go home. I don't know how other exchange students handled the moment, but I cried. I had become very attached to them. My host mom and sister were crying too, so that made me feel better, also the thought of what my new family was going to think. That I'm crying at being here? - Sherrie from Florida in Belgium

Rotary Youth Exchange ........The Best in the World ... By Far

District 6110 Supports and Participates in
the Youth Exchange Programs of Rotary International.