One of my best memories is when my mom visited me and we got to visit her host families from 30 years ago. I really enjoyed seeing new places but mostly meeting those amazing people. Nothing had changed between them and my mom even after all that time.
My counselors were really protective and took care of me so generously! I knew I wasn’t alone and could count on them. My district chairwoman was always taking care of the exchange students like we were her kids, and she was always smiling and happy! Thank you Rotary!
I met amazing people from all around the world and we really created a family. I have so many good memories with my people, and I know I will never forget them. These relationships are made forever!
I came back from my exchange as a different person. I’m more responsible now, with more confidence and maturity, less timidity, and I have a new vision of life. I was surrounded by so many great people and it wouldn’t have been possible without the Rotary.
I had a whole year to understand a culture that is different from mine. Now, I’m always very interested in understanding other people’s feelings and their vision of the world.
Going on exchange helped me become more independent, adaptable, and open minded. I realized how much beauty we can find in what’s different.
I was worried my friends and family would miss me too much, and that could have an impact on my exchange. But time flew! I was always busy with new things to discover and sharing time with my host families and new friends. I didn’t have time to feel nostalgic about my life in Belgium.
You will only regret the opportunities you didn’t take. There will always be something that you’ll look back on and think, why didn’t I do that? But opportunities lead to other opportunities. Just take control of your own exchange and make the best of it, that’s really important.
My advice is to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to say yes. I feel like I learned to live in the present, so when I came home I was more aware and I remembered to really appreciate everything that I have. That’s one of the things I value from my exchange.
You have to make a lot of decisions for yourself on an exchange. You grow more mature, and you become a lot more independent because you are not around your family at home. I met a lot of challenges, I think every exchange student does, but I definitely became more confident in myself.