Dear Exchange students class of 2009- 2010,
First of all, congratulations on your acceptance into the Rotary YEP program. In just a few months, you will embark on a journey that will forever change your life, in which you will learn quite a bit about yourself, either in a bad way or a good way. It’s all up to you.
This letter is not at all meant to sound negative, but rather to give you some insight on some things that you may not have heard of: things that I wish other exchange students would of warned me about before coming.
First off, my question to you is, why did you decide to come on this exchange? Is it actually for the learning experience, or is there another reason? One thing that is very important that you realize is, THIS IS A YEAR OUT OF YOUR LIFE!!! Sitting in your seats now, it may not seem like a very important detail, but it is. I want to make some things clear: If you signed up for the Rotary YEP program because you can’t seem to get along with your parents- that is not a good reason. If you are looking for a vacation- this is not the program for you. If you see this as a chance to drink as much as your heart desires- please leave the room. Do not embark on this journey expecting to step into paradise where everything will be perfect…because it is not. Life is life, no matter where you live it, and things are going to happen that may not result in your favor. I know personally, before coming on the exchange, I expected to never be bored, to always have something to do, and to attract so many friends I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. Well… in many cases, it is not like that. Yes, I do have a lot of friends, but there have been many nights on the weekends where I have been so bored, I have wanted to go home. Friday nights are going to come, and you are going to be sitting in your room thinking about the basketball game or the football game that you would be at had you stayed home. It all depends on you though. I love Chile, and I don’t regret coming at all. I am already looking for programs to come back.
It is very important that you make sure that you are doing this program for all the right reasons. What are you expecting to get out of living in a foreign country for an entire year? I try not to look at myself so much as a “foreign exchange student” but more as an ambassador. An ambassador for my city, my state, my parents, my church, rotary district 6650, my school…and most importantly…my country. With being an ambassador comes much MUCH responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Many people will judge the United States of America based on what they see in you. Please understand that because it is very important. There are many kids who embark on the study abroad experience for the drinking opportunities. I think that is the worst possible reason to apply. To be honest, many people in your country abroad will expect that from you. You get away from mommy and daddy and go nuts.
I felt really pressed to write this letter because of something that I witnessed yesterday. There is a girl here, who, apparently, took advantage of this opportunity for all the wrong reasons, and didn’t know what she was getting herself into. This girl decided she hated Chile from the moment she got on the plane, and has made the worse out of the trip. She goes to school and still doesn’t know any Spanish. Many of the other exchange students always avoid her, and some even made a bet that she would make it until January or February. I changed houses last Thursday, and this girl came to the house where I was, so I have come to know her quite a bit. She finally spoke up saying that she wanted to go home, but really seems unclear about her reasoning. She is a senior in high school, and just found out her school is not going to give her credit for being here in Chile. At the same time she is always talking about how much she hates Chile. Last night, my old host parents invited me to dinner, and when I arrived, two counselors were there talking to my old host parents about the girl leaving. She wants to leave on Monday….the problem is…my old host parents are going on vacation for 3 weeks..and the leave TONIGHT. It was a huge mess, and after getting things settled down, I started asking her some things. Another reason that she says she wants to go home is because she is homesick. Understandable. After contradicting herself many times, I finally just flat out asked her why she even bothered to do the exchange. She didn’t know. I asked her how her interview went and the meetings she had with rotary before coming. Well…she tells me that she lied in her interview. To keep a long story short, she is now back home, all the money and time down the drain.
Do not be dishonest with your parents, your rotary counselors, and yourself. THIS IS A YEAR OUT OF YOUR LIFE. There has been a lot of preparations put into your going to a foreign land. Remember, YOU ARE GOING TO MISS YOUR FAMILY!!
People come here expecting to forget about life at home. That is not going to happen. The girl that just went home used that as an excuse. “She did not realize how much she would miss her family.”
Once again, this letter is not meant to be negative at all, but rather to help you realize things that will most likely happen, feelings, that you will most likely feel .
I know at the time it seems like a waste of time…but PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE ROTARY COUNSELORS TELL YOU. The things you do in training is not to bore you and not busy work, as I even at times thought it was. I always payed attention though, and now that I am here…I am glad I did. KNOW ABOUT YOUR GOVERNMENT!!! It is very important that you can hold your own in a debate and that you know where you stand. Know about your city. I live in Canton and I am always asked about the population, economics, what is grown there, that is known there, etc. Being that Canton is so boring, there are not a lot of responses I can give. Jaja. To not know anything about your homeland is considered ignorant, because you will find that people in your countries will know a lot about their culture and they will not be afraid to show their pride.
DO YOUR BEST TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!!! If you come here and only hang out with other exchange students and speak only English, that will take SOOO MUCH out of you year. Also, it is really disrespectful when you sit at a table and speak your native language in the presence of people who don’t understand. Try to stay away from the computer. When you get here, you are going to want to call up your friends and family everyday. Try not to do that. Send a general email saying you are okay, and just forward it to everyone.
This is all I can think of right now, when I think of more I will send another letter. The contents of this letter are nothing more than advice based on my experience and based on what I have seen. The advice is on the table, you can take it or leave it.
Sincerely,
Nathan Williams
Santiago, Chile
From: Vic14K@aol.comDate: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:11:05 -0500Subject: Outbound Info from OhioTo: jennmiller_OH@hotmail.com; arianafiorita@hotmail.com; Rhodesmp@hotmail.com; erinbrugler@hotmail.com; sarah_spector@hotmail.com; andrewpadach@hotmail.com; joebobby1364@yahoo.com; clint_eriksen@yahoo.com; Snurfin2fast4u@aol.com; amcconnell27@yahoo.com; jennifer.hoffman.08@gmail.com; tsilone@yahoo.com; popeye11_7@hotmail.com; nathanwilliams1213@hotmail.com; s_levitski@hotmail.com; alexisaltier91@yahoo.com; Jonguy123@yahoo.com; cmadej09@yahoo.com; reneefusco@hotmail.com; greg_lambert08@hotmail.com; sdhhenson@yahoo.com; asnyder836@hotmail.com; xc9081@gmail.com; dalichaiyya@yahoo.com; a.benno@yahoo.com
I regret to inform you Elaina Bella has opted to return to Ohio. She is the fourth Outbound to return voluntarily this year. We've never had this many returns. How are the rest of you doing?
Several Rotary Youth Exchange students were shot Saturday night in Portland, Oregon. Two of the students were killed. It seems to be a random shooting. Eleven Rotary exchange students were at the under-21 club.The murdered students were Outbound Ashley Wilks, and Inbound Marta “Tika” Paz De Noboa from Peru. Police and local school officials have identified the five wounded exchange students as Ana Zambrano Soledispa, 18, of Ecuador; Gonzalo Vasquez Orozco, 18, of Guatemala; Trista Chang, 18, of Taiwan; Susanna DeSousa, 18 of Italy; and Anne Sophie Rialland, 16, of France.
From Chile: today at a TV Show in the morning a group of inbounds when as a part of the audience, and in a part the program the anchorwoman invite some of them to dance... you can see Ariana Fiorita and the best if all was the dance of Nathan !! Please see the web page : www.buenosdiasatodos.cl
Showing posts with label Nathan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nathan. Show all posts
22.2.09
1.11.08
Group 1-Patty, Andrew W, Andrew S, Joe, Nathan, Arianna, Sean, Sarah
SARAH SPECTOR-Hi Vicki and congrats on your new position. My host district number is 4690 for Rotary Club Amboro. I am recieving my monthly stipend and am still with my first host club. Actually I think I stay with this family for the entire year, but I am a little confused on that point. I really wish we switched families here, because I know I would like to switch after chirstmas, but I do not want to hurt my host families feelings or create a problem. I really like my host dad and sister, but My host mom is a little much for me to handle. I have been using all of my adaption skills and I know that if I can't switch families I will survive and be fine, but I would definitly prefer to switch families. But other then the uncomfortableness I feel around my host mom I am really doing great. My spanish has improved a ton, although I am still not great at speaking but I can communicate and have lots of Bolivian friends that do not speak english either. I even see Estaban about everyday at school and sometimes we hang out out side of school aswell. We went on a weekend trip with rotary about a week ago to two Jesuit missions, San Javier and Concepcion. I really enjoyed the trip and it was nice to see other parts of Bolivia, especially to see how other people live. Well I hope everything is well with you! Sarah. P.S. I don't mind if you share this, but just as long as not to any of the in bounds since Jose Videza is my host brother and I don't want him to think I dislike his family. thank you, and thanks for everything.
SEAN HENSON-
Hey Vicky,
Just thought I'd let you know, everything is going great! I love Germany, and I'm having the time of my life. My host club here is very good, and is always willing to do whatever they can to help me have a good year. They make sure that I recieve my monthly stipend on the first of every month, and have taken me out to do things such as amusement parks, Ice hockey games etc.. I go to the Rotary meetings every Monday. I am still with my first host family, and they are way better than I ever could have hoped for.. I wish I didn't have to change =) I feel like its my home... I don't really have any problems that I can't deal with... School is... school.. but I am doing everything I can, and meeting lots of new people.. Last week, my Class did an "exchange" with a school in Poland... So we went there for 7 days, and Got to travel all around, go to school there for one day (Which we actually missed, because the Polish kids challenged the German kids to a Soccer game... and that took up the few hours we were supposed to be in a class.. =) but the teachers knew so it was all good), We went to 5 different cities including Warsaw (and the Hard Rock Cafe!) Anyway.. point of the story.. Schools deffinately getting so much better than it was at first..
I'll put all my information below...
Talk to you later,
Sean Henson
Email: sdhhenson@yahoo.com
Host District Number: 1800 (Germany)
PS: Im glad to hear that you are the Outbound Coordinator.. Its good that it is someone we already know and trust and can talk to.. =)
ARIANNA FIORITA- Hola Vicki, this is my e-mail adress and my host district number in Santiago, Chile is district 4340. Yes, I have been recieving my monthly allowance. I am with my first host family now and they are wonderful, and treat me like their own daughter. I am very fortunate to have a family like them. I have had no problems at all since I have arrived in Chile. I have been to one rotary meeting since I have been here and everyone was very nice, and the food at the meeting was delicious! My counselor here is also very involved with all of us and is always concerned with our well being. Yes, at first I did not like going to school but now it's a lot better because it has given me an opportunity to meet many good friends. Nothing else here really bothers me that I can think of. I have already been to a beach a few times with my host family, and again last weekend with the Rotary Club. I ran in a marathon with my host brother and host dad and some of their family friends in Vina del Mar along the sea. It was quite an experience considering I DONT RUN!! but it was definetly something to remember and I felt good after the race. I also may run another in December! I am really enjoying my time here so far, and I want to thank district 6650 for sending me to Chile, and all the work that was put into my trip here. It is greatly appreciated. Also, congratulations Vicki on being appointed at Outbound Chair :) Take Care, Ariana Fiorita
NATHAN WILLIAMS-Hello, This is Nathan WIlliams and I am in Santiago, Chile, district number 4340. I have been recieving my monthly allowance and it is around $75. I am still with my first host family and I will probably be with them until the end of December. For the most part everything has been great...though I have had some slight problems..but not enough to make me want to move right away. I love the host rotary club though, as I believe with all of Chile, they are NEVER on time. It is kind of frustrating for me becasue I always arrive on time for things and everything always starts super late The only thing that the club has been worried about me with is I have lost, as of now, around pounds. I lost the first 22-25 within the first 2 and a half weeks. They were worried that I may be super homesick or just having terrible problems at home. Vicki, you hit it right on the nose the thing that bothers me...school! I absolutley hate going, especially when it is over 2 hours longer than our classes in the states and it doesnt serve me for anything. The thing that I like is that summer is coming so it is getting super hot. Im glad to be here because you folks in Ohio are quicky approching winter :P so I am very content where I am.
UPDATE about his weight-Yea I am healthy...I feel great. I think what it was is that my last week before coming my family and friends were taking me out to eat like everyday..plus I was a bored eater haha. The food here is a lot healthier and I do a lot more than I was doing the last few months. Also, I have not been to a gym so I have lost a lot of muscle. I am fine though...I feel a lot healthier than I did in the states. As of now I have lost about 30. I should be fine when I get back into a gym.JOE BOBBY-monthly money is getting too me.still with first host family and they are greatonly problem is the languge and everyweek it gets a bit betteri belive my host rotary club is the coollest in the region there are so many freindly helpful people.school is ok the firzt trip was too a beutiful canyon aand it was amazing the entire trip was so relaxing. (as if brasil could et any more relaxed) and congrats on the outbound thing
ANDREW SNYDER-In the two months that I’ve been here in Brazil, I’ve experienced more than I having the proceeding 18 years of my life. Whether it may be a food experience or a bad experience they all are impacting me in a great way, to make me a better person when I go back to the United States. I have nothing but enjoyed my last two months here and I can’t wait to see what else Brazil has in store for me. Each day I wake up with a new adventure ahead of me, and that only been made possible because of Rotary.
When I got to Brazil, I was warmly welcomed from my 36 hour voyage by my first and second host family. Living with the Schoeppings has been nothing but a blessing. I think it is very helpful that there is a child in my house. I feel very comfortable around him and actually I probably learned most of my Portuguese from him because I can talk with him the most not in fear of speaking wrong. We play games, watch movies and hang out together. I’ve never had a brother and its going to be hard to leave him. I also appreciate Louise very much because she put up with me for the first two or three weeks when all I did was walk around and say, “Eu não entendi”. I know how frustrating it was for me and I’m sure she felt the same frustrations. Finally, Felipe really takes a lot of time to explain things to me, although it is in English I feel I have a better understanding of the local are because of all the history he shares with me. I also feel lucky because Felipe takes me around to see other cities, the country, poor villages and ECT. When I talk with the other exchange student who only get to see from their houses to CCAA, I feel they are being denied of the exact things they came here for. I feel I know my second host family pretty well so I think that will help with the transition between houses. I know I will be torn because I won’t want to leave but I know its all part of the exchange. I would really like to start to communicate with my third host family. I don’t know their contact information and I don’t want to hurt my families feeling. Asking them for it might make then think I am ready to move.
School here in Brazil is very different than it is in the United States. Here it seems like learning is optional, the teachers don’t demand you attention. During class kids here talk, are playing games, on cell phones, have laptops out, are sleeping, or just sitting there and the teachers don’t care, then just teach to those who listen. Also, what strikes my odd is how after a rest you just leave the class and go down to the “Jiffy” until the next class. I am still having a hard time understanding how the class rooms work. I usually just follow my friends, I feel like I’m tied to a string. I have made lots of friends at TUPY but I find they want to speak English with me, I have to ask them to speak in Portuguese. The good thing is it is becoming easier to talk to them in Portuguese than it is in English now, so I must be getting better. For the first two weeks I didn’t have to go to school and they drug on for so long. As soon as I started school my time began to fly.
I have a really ruff time seeing the poverty here, I think mostly because I was not exposed to that in the United States. My host family took me to Joinville South and we drove through a neighborhood that really gave me a new outlook on life. I saw houses the size of my room and children as little as 7 or 8 picking up trash to recycle for money. The kids in the neighborhood had a kite to play with and there were 6 children all holding the string together while they played with it. That night I got home and called my mom because I felt such weight on my shoulders that I need to tell someone to let the weight off. Still when I walk past people on the street in central my heart begins to race. I want to give them money but I know it won’t help.
As for the exchangeract, I think that its great that all the exchange student are coming together and want to help by forming a club but to be quite honest, I don’t feel like we are doing anything to help. I’ve got 10 hours invested already and we have done nothing for the community. Hopefully soon we will have some projects or otherwise it will have been a complete waste of a year.
I really like how John Guy and Andrew Padach are in my district because at all the district functions I get to see two people from my town. It’s nice to talk to people from Salem who are experiencing and missing the same things. We can be talking about something and we don’t have to explain because they know Salem and the events, location of things and ECT. It’s hard to explain but it’s like a little escape to Ohio when were together.
One thing I’m still not used to is locking everything! In the United States I didn’t even have a key to my house; here I have 5 keys to get into my house. Also, with the car door I don’t know why but my brain just won’t process it to lock it first. In the staes I leave my car windows down with the doors unlocked and the keys in ignition. There are a million other things that I do here that I didn’t do there and I don’t even know why, like we always wear sandals in the house. After we use everything we unplug it from the wall. My host family walks around while they brush their teeth. If you go shopping you cant go into the store or someone comes up and helps you to shop, this is something I enjoy to do by myself. Also, here we eat with a fork and knife and always drink for a cup.
I’m currently facing my first really hard time with homesickness. Before I didn’t really miss anything from home I just wanted the food back. But this past Wednesday my grandfather passed away and its very hard to grieve a loss without your family. I know I have people all around me but I still feel alone. I really would have liked to go home but it’s really early in my exchange and it would one make it harder for me in the long run. My family is with me in spirit but it doesn’t seem like enough. I hope these feelings pass soon, and I can get back to my exchange.
ANDREW WILSON-hello vicki.this is andrew wilson reporting to you from italia. everything here is going wonderful. i have not gotten my monthly stipend yet and should have it for two months now. im not sure how much it is but anything will help here.. my rotary is verygood....i think. we have had only one dinner, no overnighters ofcourse(only in district 6650) haha. my italian is coming along quite well and everybody is more than happy to help me with anything i need. well i hope to hear from you soon. ciao!!Andrew Wilson
PATTY RHODES-Hey Newly Appointed Outbound Chair! That's great to hear, I think you have a good understanding of what it's like to be an exchange student, so I'm glad it was you who they chose and not some crazy person. Well okay, maybe you fit that description too :) You asked in the facebook message if any of us are planning to go out again next year through Rotary Exchange. I'm 16, a junior in high school, and when I come back next August, I will be 17, a senior. I want to finish my senior year, and then I thought about going to a different country, again through the Rotary, after I graduate. So not leave again next year, but in August of 2010. By then I will be 18, and I heard that things are different for students who will be 18 while they're on exchange? I don't know if it's still possible, and I'm not sure it's what I want to do, but maybe you can help me with that a bit. Let me know if you think it's a good idea, etc. My host district number is 1580 Noord-Holland. I have been getting a monthly allowance of 100 euro, which is great! I'm with my first host family, and I move to my second family in January (we haven't set a date yet). No real problems with this family, but it has been INCREDIBLY difficult to fit in and adjust to their life style. I still haven't figured out a good way of living here. I've asked advice from a million different people, and still my discomfort isn't settled. I've talked to my immediate counselors, my district counselor, my host parents, my real parents, and friends who know me really well. It's not that my host family are bad or mean people, or that they've done anything wrong. I just can't seem to fit in, and it's very stressful for me. Other than that, everything is amazing! I've made a million friends, school's great! The language is coming along, but literally everyone speaks English really well. So I need to lay off that crutch and start speaking more Dutch. I understand mostly everything, and when I read things I always understand. It's just the speaking back part that's difficult.Another thing I find difficult is that Holland is really close-net. Like, both the fathers of my 2 host families are Rotarians of my host Rotary club, my counselor is of the same Rotary club, and so everyone talks to each other a lot, so if I have a problem (like what I brought up with my counselors about being uncomfortable in the family) then people try to reason with me by saying "Ted and Bea are lovely people, the family is lovely, we've known them for years! Just give it another shot, I'm sure you'll fit in in no time." But still, nothing has changed, and I've kept a positive attitude throughout everything! I've tried everything I know how to do to accommodate and nothing seems to work for me. Okay you get the point. But my Rotary club is very nice, also very strict I think. No real problems though. Something cool, hmm... well I'm going to Germany this weekend. It's our "herfst vakantie", so I'm going with the Rotary, but not the other exchange students. I love all the exchange students in Holland! We all get along so well. I still like how we did things in 6650 better though. They have no training here for the potential outbounds, and so they don't get to meet all the inbounds like we did! I had so much fun getting to know the Belgians, the French, the Brazilians, etc.! I think it would be great for you to show this to the rest of the Outbounds! Maybe they're having some of the same problems, and I'm so curious as to what they're up to. Groetjes van Patty
SEAN HENSON-
Hey Vicky,
Just thought I'd let you know, everything is going great! I love Germany, and I'm having the time of my life. My host club here is very good, and is always willing to do whatever they can to help me have a good year. They make sure that I recieve my monthly stipend on the first of every month, and have taken me out to do things such as amusement parks, Ice hockey games etc.. I go to the Rotary meetings every Monday. I am still with my first host family, and they are way better than I ever could have hoped for.. I wish I didn't have to change =) I feel like its my home... I don't really have any problems that I can't deal with... School is... school.. but I am doing everything I can, and meeting lots of new people.. Last week, my Class did an "exchange" with a school in Poland... So we went there for 7 days, and Got to travel all around, go to school there for one day (Which we actually missed, because the Polish kids challenged the German kids to a Soccer game... and that took up the few hours we were supposed to be in a class.. =) but the teachers knew so it was all good), We went to 5 different cities including Warsaw (and the Hard Rock Cafe!) Anyway.. point of the story.. Schools deffinately getting so much better than it was at first..
I'll put all my information below...
Talk to you later,
Sean Henson
Email: sdhhenson@yahoo.com
Host District Number: 1800 (Germany)
PS: Im glad to hear that you are the Outbound Coordinator.. Its good that it is someone we already know and trust and can talk to.. =)
ARIANNA FIORITA- Hola Vicki, this is my e-mail adress and my host district number in Santiago, Chile is district 4340. Yes, I have been recieving my monthly allowance. I am with my first host family now and they are wonderful, and treat me like their own daughter. I am very fortunate to have a family like them. I have had no problems at all since I have arrived in Chile. I have been to one rotary meeting since I have been here and everyone was very nice, and the food at the meeting was delicious! My counselor here is also very involved with all of us and is always concerned with our well being. Yes, at first I did not like going to school but now it's a lot better because it has given me an opportunity to meet many good friends. Nothing else here really bothers me that I can think of. I have already been to a beach a few times with my host family, and again last weekend with the Rotary Club. I ran in a marathon with my host brother and host dad and some of their family friends in Vina del Mar along the sea. It was quite an experience considering I DONT RUN!! but it was definetly something to remember and I felt good after the race. I also may run another in December! I am really enjoying my time here so far, and I want to thank district 6650 for sending me to Chile, and all the work that was put into my trip here. It is greatly appreciated. Also, congratulations Vicki on being appointed at Outbound Chair :) Take Care, Ariana Fiorita
NATHAN WILLIAMS-Hello, This is Nathan WIlliams and I am in Santiago, Chile, district number 4340. I have been recieving my monthly allowance and it is around $75. I am still with my first host family and I will probably be with them until the end of December. For the most part everything has been great...though I have had some slight problems..but not enough to make me want to move right away. I love the host rotary club though, as I believe with all of Chile, they are NEVER on time. It is kind of frustrating for me becasue I always arrive on time for things and everything always starts super late The only thing that the club has been worried about me with is I have lost, as of now, around pounds. I lost the first 22-25 within the first 2 and a half weeks. They were worried that I may be super homesick or just having terrible problems at home. Vicki, you hit it right on the nose the thing that bothers me...school! I absolutley hate going, especially when it is over 2 hours longer than our classes in the states and it doesnt serve me for anything. The thing that I like is that summer is coming so it is getting super hot. Im glad to be here because you folks in Ohio are quicky approching winter :P so I am very content where I am.
UPDATE about his weight-Yea I am healthy...I feel great. I think what it was is that my last week before coming my family and friends were taking me out to eat like everyday..plus I was a bored eater haha. The food here is a lot healthier and I do a lot more than I was doing the last few months. Also, I have not been to a gym so I have lost a lot of muscle. I am fine though...I feel a lot healthier than I did in the states. As of now I have lost about 30. I should be fine when I get back into a gym.JOE BOBBY-monthly money is getting too me.still with first host family and they are greatonly problem is the languge and everyweek it gets a bit betteri belive my host rotary club is the coollest in the region there are so many freindly helpful people.school is ok the firzt trip was too a beutiful canyon aand it was amazing the entire trip was so relaxing. (as if brasil could et any more relaxed) and congrats on the outbound thing
ANDREW SNYDER-In the two months that I’ve been here in Brazil, I’ve experienced more than I having the proceeding 18 years of my life. Whether it may be a food experience or a bad experience they all are impacting me in a great way, to make me a better person when I go back to the United States. I have nothing but enjoyed my last two months here and I can’t wait to see what else Brazil has in store for me. Each day I wake up with a new adventure ahead of me, and that only been made possible because of Rotary.
When I got to Brazil, I was warmly welcomed from my 36 hour voyage by my first and second host family. Living with the Schoeppings has been nothing but a blessing. I think it is very helpful that there is a child in my house. I feel very comfortable around him and actually I probably learned most of my Portuguese from him because I can talk with him the most not in fear of speaking wrong. We play games, watch movies and hang out together. I’ve never had a brother and its going to be hard to leave him. I also appreciate Louise very much because she put up with me for the first two or three weeks when all I did was walk around and say, “Eu não entendi”. I know how frustrating it was for me and I’m sure she felt the same frustrations. Finally, Felipe really takes a lot of time to explain things to me, although it is in English I feel I have a better understanding of the local are because of all the history he shares with me. I also feel lucky because Felipe takes me around to see other cities, the country, poor villages and ECT. When I talk with the other exchange student who only get to see from their houses to CCAA, I feel they are being denied of the exact things they came here for. I feel I know my second host family pretty well so I think that will help with the transition between houses. I know I will be torn because I won’t want to leave but I know its all part of the exchange. I would really like to start to communicate with my third host family. I don’t know their contact information and I don’t want to hurt my families feeling. Asking them for it might make then think I am ready to move.
School here in Brazil is very different than it is in the United States. Here it seems like learning is optional, the teachers don’t demand you attention. During class kids here talk, are playing games, on cell phones, have laptops out, are sleeping, or just sitting there and the teachers don’t care, then just teach to those who listen. Also, what strikes my odd is how after a rest you just leave the class and go down to the “Jiffy” until the next class. I am still having a hard time understanding how the class rooms work. I usually just follow my friends, I feel like I’m tied to a string. I have made lots of friends at TUPY but I find they want to speak English with me, I have to ask them to speak in Portuguese. The good thing is it is becoming easier to talk to them in Portuguese than it is in English now, so I must be getting better. For the first two weeks I didn’t have to go to school and they drug on for so long. As soon as I started school my time began to fly.
I have a really ruff time seeing the poverty here, I think mostly because I was not exposed to that in the United States. My host family took me to Joinville South and we drove through a neighborhood that really gave me a new outlook on life. I saw houses the size of my room and children as little as 7 or 8 picking up trash to recycle for money. The kids in the neighborhood had a kite to play with and there were 6 children all holding the string together while they played with it. That night I got home and called my mom because I felt such weight on my shoulders that I need to tell someone to let the weight off. Still when I walk past people on the street in central my heart begins to race. I want to give them money but I know it won’t help.
As for the exchangeract, I think that its great that all the exchange student are coming together and want to help by forming a club but to be quite honest, I don’t feel like we are doing anything to help. I’ve got 10 hours invested already and we have done nothing for the community. Hopefully soon we will have some projects or otherwise it will have been a complete waste of a year.
I really like how John Guy and Andrew Padach are in my district because at all the district functions I get to see two people from my town. It’s nice to talk to people from Salem who are experiencing and missing the same things. We can be talking about something and we don’t have to explain because they know Salem and the events, location of things and ECT. It’s hard to explain but it’s like a little escape to Ohio when were together.
One thing I’m still not used to is locking everything! In the United States I didn’t even have a key to my house; here I have 5 keys to get into my house. Also, with the car door I don’t know why but my brain just won’t process it to lock it first. In the staes I leave my car windows down with the doors unlocked and the keys in ignition. There are a million other things that I do here that I didn’t do there and I don’t even know why, like we always wear sandals in the house. After we use everything we unplug it from the wall. My host family walks around while they brush their teeth. If you go shopping you cant go into the store or someone comes up and helps you to shop, this is something I enjoy to do by myself. Also, here we eat with a fork and knife and always drink for a cup.
I’m currently facing my first really hard time with homesickness. Before I didn’t really miss anything from home I just wanted the food back. But this past Wednesday my grandfather passed away and its very hard to grieve a loss without your family. I know I have people all around me but I still feel alone. I really would have liked to go home but it’s really early in my exchange and it would one make it harder for me in the long run. My family is with me in spirit but it doesn’t seem like enough. I hope these feelings pass soon, and I can get back to my exchange.
ANDREW WILSON-hello vicki.this is andrew wilson reporting to you from italia. everything here is going wonderful. i have not gotten my monthly stipend yet and should have it for two months now. im not sure how much it is but anything will help here.. my rotary is verygood....i think. we have had only one dinner, no overnighters ofcourse(only in district 6650) haha. my italian is coming along quite well and everybody is more than happy to help me with anything i need. well i hope to hear from you soon. ciao!!Andrew Wilson
PATTY RHODES-Hey Newly Appointed Outbound Chair! That's great to hear, I think you have a good understanding of what it's like to be an exchange student, so I'm glad it was you who they chose and not some crazy person. Well okay, maybe you fit that description too :) You asked in the facebook message if any of us are planning to go out again next year through Rotary Exchange. I'm 16, a junior in high school, and when I come back next August, I will be 17, a senior. I want to finish my senior year, and then I thought about going to a different country, again through the Rotary, after I graduate. So not leave again next year, but in August of 2010. By then I will be 18, and I heard that things are different for students who will be 18 while they're on exchange? I don't know if it's still possible, and I'm not sure it's what I want to do, but maybe you can help me with that a bit. Let me know if you think it's a good idea, etc. My host district number is 1580 Noord-Holland. I have been getting a monthly allowance of 100 euro, which is great! I'm with my first host family, and I move to my second family in January (we haven't set a date yet). No real problems with this family, but it has been INCREDIBLY difficult to fit in and adjust to their life style. I still haven't figured out a good way of living here. I've asked advice from a million different people, and still my discomfort isn't settled. I've talked to my immediate counselors, my district counselor, my host parents, my real parents, and friends who know me really well. It's not that my host family are bad or mean people, or that they've done anything wrong. I just can't seem to fit in, and it's very stressful for me. Other than that, everything is amazing! I've made a million friends, school's great! The language is coming along, but literally everyone speaks English really well. So I need to lay off that crutch and start speaking more Dutch. I understand mostly everything, and when I read things I always understand. It's just the speaking back part that's difficult.Another thing I find difficult is that Holland is really close-net. Like, both the fathers of my 2 host families are Rotarians of my host Rotary club, my counselor is of the same Rotary club, and so everyone talks to each other a lot, so if I have a problem (like what I brought up with my counselors about being uncomfortable in the family) then people try to reason with me by saying "Ted and Bea are lovely people, the family is lovely, we've known them for years! Just give it another shot, I'm sure you'll fit in in no time." But still, nothing has changed, and I've kept a positive attitude throughout everything! I've tried everything I know how to do to accommodate and nothing seems to work for me. Okay you get the point. But my Rotary club is very nice, also very strict I think. No real problems though. Something cool, hmm... well I'm going to Germany this weekend. It's our "herfst vakantie", so I'm going with the Rotary, but not the other exchange students. I love all the exchange students in Holland! We all get along so well. I still like how we did things in 6650 better though. They have no training here for the potential outbounds, and so they don't get to meet all the inbounds like we did! I had so much fun getting to know the Belgians, the French, the Brazilians, etc.! I think it would be great for you to show this to the rest of the Outbounds! Maybe they're having some of the same problems, and I'm so curious as to what they're up to. Groetjes van Patty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)