My Rotary Youth
Exchange year in
Canada
2014-15 Rotary Youth Exchange students.
By Gabriela Vessani
I spent a year in Canada as a Rotary Youth
Exchange student, and I can’t believe how
fast the year went by. On my flight back to
Brazil a few months ago, I reflected on the
experience, and had so many thoughts.
I remembered arriving with anxiety, and yes,
even a little fear. The experience is never en-
tirely what you expect and you can never to-
tally prepare for it. I think that few students
go in with a full understanding of how inten-
se and deep the experience will be, and
how hard it can be to do something differ-
ent from what you have been used to do-
ing every day of your life.
But then there is the freedom. Being an
exchange student gives you a chance to
create a new life and become whatever
you want to be. You learn to value what
you have and take care of yourself on
your own. Without the sheltering arms
of your birth family around you, you
have the freedom to spread your wings
and grow a bit on your own, with the
help of your host families.
It is not just a difference between cult-
ures or countries, but it’s the difference
you face in each family, each religion,
each social class, each person. It’s to
be hungry for information about the
world and to never stop learning. It’s to
feel everything around you, full and in-
tense, to learn a new language, to
meet people from all over the world,
to have one, two, three, or even four
different families.
I gained a few kilograms. OK, more
than a few kilograms. But who cares?
I had the chance to look in the mirror
and realize that a lot of things had chang-
ed, on the inside as well. I lost my shy-
ness, and I look back confused because
the old life doesn’t fit anymore.
Exchange is a continuous process of ab-
sorption. I met people who inspired me,
because of the way they think, or be-
cause of their words or their attitudes, or
through the experiences they shared, or
by the great friendship that I gained.
I learned also to say goodbye — which
was much harder than I thought — but
to still appreciate the barriers I had brok-
en, the horizons I had reached, and the
lessons I had learned. Every moment
will be forever with me, in my memories
and in my heart. And I will be forever
thankful.
As the plane touched down in Brazil, I
told myself, “Don’t be sad because it’s
over; be happy because it happened.”
Start an exchange or contact a Rotary
club in your area to learn about exchan-
ge opportunities.
Notice: Please Note: Our website address
has been updated to:
Psalm 80:1-7
Qui regis Israel - Who governed Israel
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4 O LORD God of hosts, *
how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; *
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, *
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; *
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
Birthdays
Jack Allin December 22
Witt Ruffin December 23
Jim Almas December 24
Mark Kennedy December 28
Anniversaries
Bob & Naomi Ridgway December 28
Patrick & Tessie Smith December 28
Membership Anniversaries
None
