2018 Out-bounds Hi guys, It was great to be able to read your first reports although I believe that some were more on time than others!!It certainly feels like Karen and I were with the Northern Hemispheres just yesterday in Heathrow. But, it seems you are all settling in well and are making the most of your year although I am sure that you have had a few issues along the way.
This is only natural, the way how you deal with them is the most important part. All of us I am sure, are a little envious of what you have been able to do so far but can’t help feeling proud of the fact that Rotary has enabled this to happen.
It does show the benefits of being involved with a worldwide organisation that promotes “Service Above Self” Now is the time when the “Honeymoon period” usually comes to a close. It is very important that you remember to say your thank you’s and wear your Rotary smile when you are no longer a novelty for your town/host family. We look forward to hearing more of your stories throughout the year and remind you that we are always available if you need an ear to chew. Keep up the language practice as well.
Jerry and Karen and all the committee.
Jerry and Karen and all the committee.
Adam Van Klei Chile I'm sure there's plenty of exchanges to read about so I'm gonna keep this brief.
My host family is absolutely amazing and I love their pool *wink wink* mum and dad.
I've been at school for just under a month now and its going really well, I've made some friends and found a book to read during advance Spanish classes. (I'm not slacking off don't worry, this class is difficult for locals impossible for me).
I'd highly recommend visiting Nevados De Chillan the famous ski field and mountainbike park, especially Los Termas De Chillan - think Rotorua hot pools. These were way up in the mountains and after a trek we stayed for a while lounging in the spas.
Umm what else what else, ah of course I cooked one of my Nans dishes for my family and they absolutely loved it, I did take two hours instead of 20min (sorry Nan I'm not too pro yet).
In Curico there are only two exchange students, Albane (From France) and me, however last weekend I attended an extended Rotary Reunion in the mountains of Talca. It was cold and rainy but I managed to meet some of the other 70 exchange students here! 70! Mind blown.
My jacket’s filling up quite nicely, not full enough for a photo yet, but in the future most definitely.
Follow my instagram Adam
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Hannah Van der Horst France From small town Whakatane to France, this little Kiwi is having the time of her life!
Already in the short amount of time I’ve been here I’ve had the opportunity to experience so many new things; hunting pheasants and eating them for dinner, snowing and school being cancelled as a result, going to see Le Cadre Noir, visiting Paris and Lille with my host family and much more.
There have been some pretty drastic changes in my life, the biggest is definitely having 12 different subjects and spending nine hours a day at school! The first few weeks were pretty hard as I would arrive at school in the dark and not return home until after dark so there wasn’t much opportunity to get out and see my town. But with summer on its way the days are getting longer and the rainy days are still pretty frequent but becoming less. As much as I enjoyed the snow it will be nice to see the sun again!
My district in France is one of the biggest in the country and I am one of approximately 45 Inbound students, with only 13 of us being Newbies. My district is also the only one where we meet at least once a month. So far we have had two weekends and coming up in April we have our “Exotique Soiree” where we make dishes from our home country. It’s pretty exciting to have met and made friends with other students from all over Europe, North and South America, Asia and of course Australia haha.
The definite highlight of my exchange so far has to be my Bus Tour from Paris to Barcelona with students from my district 1520 and neighbouring district 1790. We started in Paris and spent the day seeing the sights and over the period of eight days we worked
our way south stopping to see Castles, theme parks, the sights of Toulouse and ending up in Spain and exploring Barcelona for our last three days.
It was definitely week of firsts for me, with a fair few things being checked off my bucket list! It’s incredible how close we all become over the week and even though I’ve only known some of the kids less than two months from my district and a week from the other district we formed a family-like bond that I will never forget.
My next upcoming trip is to London with my district which I am really looking forward to and then hopefully some more “international” travel in the summer holidays. It’s still a crazy concept to me that we can drive over borders and catch a train to another country!
I can’t believe how fast the time has gone already, but I can’t wait to tick more things off my bucket list and see what else France has in store for me! Hannah
Kalista Ellis USA Hi Everyone, I’m on exchange in Moscow, in the state of Idaho USA, I haven’t long past my first two months and yet so far I have had so many epic experiences and made amazing memories.
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Within these first few months I have started school at Moscow High School, I have noticed so much difference between my school back home and the one here, it’s only ONE building!
I take so many different classes that I really didn’t think would be offered, like walk fit for example. Four classes a week I get to go on walks around the town with the class. At the start it was a real great way to make friends and see more of the town.
In these first two months through my travelling I have gone through the temperatures from snow boots in Canada to bikinis in the island of Kauai (one of Hawaii’s four islands). I’m writing this report lying by the fire with several layers of clothes on after just arriving back from my first spring break holiday in Kauai. Whilst in Kauai with my host family we had loads of adventures, I completed a 16km hike of the Napali Coast line, we had several days with blazing hot sun where I just swam and snorkelled, we went to a traditional Laua. For three days of our trip though we experienced countless flash flood warnings, however somehow I still managed to leave looking fried.
Me and my host sister Terra at tunnels beach in Kauai Through my Rotary district 5080 I have gone on two Rotary trips, the first being to a town called Rossland in British Columbia, Canada, this trip was great fun where I got to meet all the other RYE students in my district. The second trip was a ski weekend to 49 degrees north, in the State of Washington, this was so amazing and such an active weekend that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Taken during snow shoeing
Along with taking me to Kauai, my host family has taken me snow shoeing, cross country skiing. These are things I had never experienced before and they were so much fun but required so much energy and co-ordination which I’m kind of still trying to get a hang of so I ended up in the snow more times than I can count.
We often go on drives to new places so I can see more or to go hiking which is really enjoyable. My host father has also taken me out to spot moose which are reported to be on the outskirt’s of Moscow, but we haven’t managed to find them yet.
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My neighbourhood.
To think that it’s been such little time since I left yet I have done so many things and have meet so many amazing people, and I am so grateful and excited for what has come and is yet to come. Kalista
Katherine Knipe Denmark So far in my exchange I have met so many new people and done so many amazing things. The experiences I have had here have definitely been once in a lifetime.
As the weather decreased the canals all around the country iced up and I was able to walk on a canal in Amsterdam which hasn't been able to be done for six to eight years as the ice has not been thick enough. I also got to witness ice that had been washed ashore from the sea (as seen) which also hasn't happened for 10 or so years.
School has been really good as well and it was easy for me to integrate into my classes. School is getting easier now that I have made some friends, as well as joining a volleyball team to meet more people and keep me active.
I have already seen so much of this country already and have travelled heaps to visit different cities with my ¨oldie” exchange students. I have already met the other newbies from Australia, Brazil and Argentina during our DOC ( Dutch orientation course) and havemade bonds with all of them. As our group of newbies is so small we all get along.
In august I get to help out at the DOC for the newbies that will be arriving as my Rotary club is hosting it. This will be a good opportunity for me to meet everyone and chat to them and help answer their questions if I can.
On the 15th of March I moved families as there were a few problems in my first family, leading me to feel quite homesick but i am hoping that the fresh start in a new family is just what I need.
My sponsor Rotary club has organised weekly one on one language classes to hopefully help me develop the language faster. So far it has been really helpful although the adaptation to the language isn't going as fast because everyone here speaks English and wants to speak English from me as everyone has to learn English at schools and are constantly wanting to develop it. Katherine Catriona Gunn France I recently got back from a Rotary organized trip from Paris to Barcelona with about three other districts in France. We drove from Paris to Barcelona and stopped at different towns and attractions along the way. We did so many amazing things, such as visit the Eiffel tower, a few castles and a theme park.
We then stayed in Barcelona for three days and had guided tours around the city and I was able to met a lot of great people from all over the world!
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My family also took me to Italy the week before, because we live about a 30 minutes drive from the Italian border. We spent three days in Turin and visited lots of tourist sites. We also ate a lot of pizza and these really thick Italian hot chocolates.
Schools going alright, I don’t do much in class because I can’t understand. But I have just started taking French lessons every Friday, organised by my Rotary club, which is really going to help improve my French.
I don’t have many friends at the moment but there is another Rotary exchange student in class so I hang out with him and when we have long lunch breaks (three hours), we go into town a eat a kebab for lunch.
On the weekends I go skiing sometimes, because we live right in front of the ski field, and because I live here I can go for free. I’m not very good, but I have had a lesson from a member of the Rotary club which I think really helped. Catriona Kelly Chadwick Germany Here in Germany, my first host family is so great, there is always someone around the house to talk to and play games with. Being in this family is really nice because I don't have siblings in NZ and here I have five siblings.
In the first two months I have been on a weekend trip to Paris with the Rotex from Freibury. This trip was great and I got to see many things, such as the Eiffiel tower and the Arc de triomphe.
I started school in the 9th class and have made so many friends. School is hard because my German is not the best, but it is getting easier as my German improves. All my classmates help me with the language and so does my family. I also went to a week-long language camp in Lindenberg, which is close to Austria. This week was the best and it was so rewarding to see how my German had improved, after seeing my effort and my results from the language camp, the Rotary district has decided to sponsor me
and a few others from my district for the Budapest and Vienna tour - which is amazing! I do not know many details yet but I will update when I know. Next week I go on my Germany tour and I am really excited for that. In the Germany tour we will visit places like Hamburg and Frankfurt and many more. Thanks for giving me the chance to come to Germany, I am really enjoying it. Kelly
Te Kawhi King Brazil Oi from me to y’all in Nz.
For the benefit of my parents I’m firstly saying that I’m fine and loving life and Brazil so much! My first few days here I was very jet lagged and literally slept for 12 hours until I got use to the time difference of 16 hours - this was very hard for me.
The flight to Argentina was 11 hours and 30 minutes, I didn’t sleep (dumb of me I know). All I’m gonna say about Argentina is that I will be back in my future travels, I loved it there so much. We spent three days there and wow just amazing. Kyle and I took a futher fight from Argentina to Sao Paulo leaving the other exchangers and our chaperones (I cried) I then did the next flight alone from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis. This was the last time I saw Kyle and again I cried. Despite the tears I made it to Floripa safe and sound receiving a very memorable welcome.
The city I live in is Sao Ludgero and the state is Santa Catarina absolutely gorgeous.
My host family... I have no words to describe how amazing they are and the amount of love they have already shown me after just one month is out of this world and I am very privileged to be apart of such a fantastic familia. I have been lucky enough to meet almost the entire extended family and they are just so loving, I’ve never been hugged and kissed so much. I have been to seven birthdays and finally I’ve learnt how to sing “happy birthday” in Portuguese. I’ve attended one graduation and Brazilians really know how to celebrate.
School is so enjoyable and I’ve made some amazing
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friends. They’ve invited me to birthdays and they treat me like I’ve been a member of the class for a long time which is so pleasant. The teens here are so much more approachable compared to New Zealand and they are welcoming and you feel warm vibes instantly.
I’m gonna be honest in saying I’ve felt really homesick and what’s actually helped me is talking with both my host family and my real family and sharing my feelings with them. Although I initially thought it wouldn’t help it turned out it does wonders for the heart and soul.
I have been to two Rotary events so far including Carnaval, (a Brazilian street parade). We wore a bright red costume that stood out a lot. This event was really hard for me as I had only been here 15 days and didn’t speak the language nor understand a lot and so it was hard for me to connect with the other exchangers who have been here nearly six months. I am the only new exchanger in my district.The oldies already have a tight knit bond and I felt like I didn’t fit in.
The other event was a boat trip in Floripawhere we visited surrounding islands. This was very enjoyable especially because I had my host parents along for the ride too.
At present I have just come back from a six day trip around the south of my state absolutely gorgeous! The scenery is just stunning and reminds me of New Zealand so much, at this trip I began to feel so much
more comfortable with my peers this is a huge thing for me to feel apart of the group although I’ve never been the one to want to fit in feeling like I belong has made me feel good. I can confidently say I have a lovely international family that I love so much.
Being in Brazil for 50 days I have noticed a lot of major differences from New Zealand. It has opened my eyes to a whole new developing world., I feel very lucky to live the life I lived in New Zealand. People in Brazil work extremely hard and rarely ever pull sickies like kiwis, this inspires me.
In finishing I would just like to thank my host club Morrinsville Rotary club, My host district 9930, Rotary international and My amazing parents for the endless support. I love you all, I hope 2018 has endless amounts of blessings.
Obrigada, Tchau. Te Kawhi King Tamihana Toby
KyleOdendaalBrazil It has been nearly two months in Brazil as I am writing this report, and the time has been flying by so quickly.
The three day stopover that I had in Buenos Aires, Argentina was an amazing introduction into the South American culture, and was a great opportunity to bond with the other NZ exchange students heading to different parts of South America. The days were
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filled with so many various activities that not once did I think back of home. Our chaperones were also amazing in helping us have a great time and taking us to our flights.
When I arrived into Brazil I was greeted with a warm welcome from my host family, before we headed off on the nine hour drive back to my town.
I have settled well into my school instantly making friends, and they have been trying to speak Portuguese with me and teach me new words. I have also settled into my host family really quickly, as they have been so caring with me and have done everything to make me feel part of the family. I have been helping my family in cleaning and we go on a family walk every night where we converse in Portuguese as much as we can, and they teach me lots of new words.
I have gone on a few trips already provided by my Rotary district, and the oldie exchange students have made me feel so welcome into their family of exchange students. The trips have been an opportunity to see more of Brazil and to make lots of new friends. I have really been enjoying my time here in Brazil, and I cannot wait for more adventures in the coming months. Kyle
Sophie Jones Belgium 2170 I can’t believe it’s been two months already!! Saying goodbye to everyone, and hopping on the plane feels like yesterday, but at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago. I suppose in some ways it was! I’m so grateful for every aspect of my life here.
I love my host family. My host parents are extremely supportive and encouraging; they have found lots of activities for me to get involved in such as swimming, a French course, football, and a 20km run in May.
School is also going really well – my school is quite small (about 600 students), so there is a very warm and friendly atmosphere. I’ve settled in really well with my class and made some good friends. It makes all the difference having friends at school, I know
they’re looking out for me, and I can practice French with them!
My host club is also very welcoming, many of the Rotarians speak English so I can tell them a bit about NZ and how my life is going in Belgium. My councilor doesn’t speak English, but he is very nice and funny – and it’s been cool to see how my French progresses when I talk to him each month!
Of course, sometimes it’s super hard – with the language, settling in, and homesickness; but you guys at home prepared me so well for this tough stage, and I know it will pass and be more than worth it!
A highlight so far has been the Rotary trip to Amsterdam in February. It was a full on few days with museums, canal tours and walking around the city, but it was so amazing! I couldn’t believe I was actually there – at the Anne Frank house, or the Van Gogh museum, walking alongside the tall, narrow houses and windmills, and almost getting run over by the 1000s of bikes. It was definitely a trip to remember.
Overall, I’m extremely happy, and grateful to Rotary for this opportunity. Thank you for preparing me so well, supporting me, and helping me to leap out of my comfort zone.
A canal in Amsterdam
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Me and two friends in Grande Place (central Brussels). Sophie
Carmel Scott(Katy) Austria Language camp was a really enjoyable two weeks that I had in February. There were 18 exchange students there from New Zea land, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina. We stayed in a beautiful town called Altmünster in Upper Austria and we learnt German every day. During our lunch breaks we were able to explore Altmünster and on some days we had small excursions such as ice skating and visiting Salzburg. Salzburg is an amazing city and there were some awesome sights, such as Mozart’s birthplace, the lock bridge, and the original Sound of Music fountain. It snowed a lot during language camp and it was a lot of fun having snowball fights and making a snowman. I learnt a lot of German during those two weeks and it was really great being able to meet all of the other ‘newbies’ (January inbounds) in Austria.
The weather in my town has been very cold lately with some days not being warmer than -10°C! However, there were some benefits of this weather, such as the frozen pond in my host family’s friend’s backyard, which I was able to go ice skating on. I also learnt how to play ice hockey and ice stock sport, which was extremely fun, although I did fall over quite a few times!
I spent the last week in Schladming, a famous skiing mountain in Austria, on my ski camp with all of the other exchange students in Austria. I had an absolute
blast and I loved meeting all of the ‘oldies’ (August inbounds). We had an instructor for the first few days and I was able to try ski runs that are much steeper than ski runs in New Zealand. On one afternoon, we were given the opportunity to go sledding, which I had never done before, and it was very enjoyable. I went with a partner and we crashed so many times that by the end I was covered in snow and all of my clothes were wet. It was an amazing experience and it was great to meet people from so many different countries. I am enjoying my exchange so much and I cant wait to explore many other beautiful places in Austria and step out of my comfort zone even further.
Katy
My host family is absolutely amazing and I love their pool *wink wink* mum and dad.
I've been at school for just under a month now and its going really well, I've made some friends and found a book to read during advance Spanish classes. (I'm not slacking off don't worry, this class is difficult for locals impossible for me).
I'd highly recommend visiting Nevados De Chillan the famous ski field and mountainbike park, especially Los Termas De Chillan - think Rotorua hot pools. These were way up in the mountains and after a trek we stayed for a while lounging in the spas.
Umm what else what else, ah of course I cooked one of my Nans dishes for my family and they absolutely loved it, I did take two hours instead of 20min (sorry Nan I'm not too pro yet).
In Curico there are only two exchange students, Albane (From France) and me, however last weekend I attended an extended Rotary Reunion in the mountains of Talca. It was cold and rainy but I managed to meet some of the other 70 exchange students here! 70! Mind blown.
My jacket’s filling up quite nicely, not full enough for a photo yet, but in the future most definitely.
Follow my instagram Adam
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Hannah Van der Horst France From small town Whakatane to France, this little Kiwi is having the time of her life!
Already in the short amount of time I’ve been here I’ve had the opportunity to experience so many new things; hunting pheasants and eating them for dinner, snowing and school being cancelled as a result, going to see Le Cadre Noir, visiting Paris and Lille with my host family and much more.
There have been some pretty drastic changes in my life, the biggest is definitely having 12 different subjects and spending nine hours a day at school! The first few weeks were pretty hard as I would arrive at school in the dark and not return home until after dark so there wasn’t much opportunity to get out and see my town. But with summer on its way the days are getting longer and the rainy days are still pretty frequent but becoming less. As much as I enjoyed the snow it will be nice to see the sun again!
My district in France is one of the biggest in the country and I am one of approximately 45 Inbound students, with only 13 of us being Newbies. My district is also the only one where we meet at least once a month. So far we have had two weekends and coming up in April we have our “Exotique Soiree” where we make dishes from our home country. It’s pretty exciting to have met and made friends with other students from all over Europe, North and South America, Asia and of course Australia haha.
The definite highlight of my exchange so far has to be my Bus Tour from Paris to Barcelona with students from my district 1520 and neighbouring district 1790. We started in Paris and spent the day seeing the sights and over the period of eight days we worked
our way south stopping to see Castles, theme parks, the sights of Toulouse and ending up in Spain and exploring Barcelona for our last three days.
It was definitely week of firsts for me, with a fair few things being checked off my bucket list! It’s incredible how close we all become over the week and even though I’ve only known some of the kids less than two months from my district and a week from the other district we formed a family-like bond that I will never forget.
My next upcoming trip is to London with my district which I am really looking forward to and then hopefully some more “international” travel in the summer holidays. It’s still a crazy concept to me that we can drive over borders and catch a train to another country!
I can’t believe how fast the time has gone already, but I can’t wait to tick more things off my bucket list and see what else France has in store for me! Hannah
Kalista Ellis USA Hi Everyone, I’m on exchange in Moscow, in the state of Idaho USA, I haven’t long past my first two months and yet so far I have had so many epic experiences and made amazing memories.
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Within these first few months I have started school at Moscow High School, I have noticed so much difference between my school back home and the one here, it’s only ONE building!
I take so many different classes that I really didn’t think would be offered, like walk fit for example. Four classes a week I get to go on walks around the town with the class. At the start it was a real great way to make friends and see more of the town.
In these first two months through my travelling I have gone through the temperatures from snow boots in Canada to bikinis in the island of Kauai (one of Hawaii’s four islands). I’m writing this report lying by the fire with several layers of clothes on after just arriving back from my first spring break holiday in Kauai. Whilst in Kauai with my host family we had loads of adventures, I completed a 16km hike of the Napali Coast line, we had several days with blazing hot sun where I just swam and snorkelled, we went to a traditional Laua. For three days of our trip though we experienced countless flash flood warnings, however somehow I still managed to leave looking fried.
Me and my host sister Terra at tunnels beach in Kauai Through my Rotary district 5080 I have gone on two Rotary trips, the first being to a town called Rossland in British Columbia, Canada, this trip was great fun where I got to meet all the other RYE students in my district. The second trip was a ski weekend to 49 degrees north, in the State of Washington, this was so amazing and such an active weekend that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Taken during snow shoeing
Along with taking me to Kauai, my host family has taken me snow shoeing, cross country skiing. These are things I had never experienced before and they were so much fun but required so much energy and co-ordination which I’m kind of still trying to get a hang of so I ended up in the snow more times than I can count.
We often go on drives to new places so I can see more or to go hiking which is really enjoyable. My host father has also taken me out to spot moose which are reported to be on the outskirt’s of Moscow, but we haven’t managed to find them yet.
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My neighbourhood.
To think that it’s been such little time since I left yet I have done so many things and have meet so many amazing people, and I am so grateful and excited for what has come and is yet to come. Kalista
Katherine Knipe Denmark So far in my exchange I have met so many new people and done so many amazing things. The experiences I have had here have definitely been once in a lifetime.
As the weather decreased the canals all around the country iced up and I was able to walk on a canal in Amsterdam which hasn't been able to be done for six to eight years as the ice has not been thick enough. I also got to witness ice that had been washed ashore from the sea (as seen) which also hasn't happened for 10 or so years.
School has been really good as well and it was easy for me to integrate into my classes. School is getting easier now that I have made some friends, as well as joining a volleyball team to meet more people and keep me active.
I have already seen so much of this country already and have travelled heaps to visit different cities with my ¨oldie” exchange students. I have already met the other newbies from Australia, Brazil and Argentina during our DOC ( Dutch orientation course) and havemade bonds with all of them. As our group of newbies is so small we all get along.
In august I get to help out at the DOC for the newbies that will be arriving as my Rotary club is hosting it. This will be a good opportunity for me to meet everyone and chat to them and help answer their questions if I can.
On the 15th of March I moved families as there were a few problems in my first family, leading me to feel quite homesick but i am hoping that the fresh start in a new family is just what I need.
My sponsor Rotary club has organised weekly one on one language classes to hopefully help me develop the language faster. So far it has been really helpful although the adaptation to the language isn't going as fast because everyone here speaks English and wants to speak English from me as everyone has to learn English at schools and are constantly wanting to develop it. Katherine Catriona Gunn France I recently got back from a Rotary organized trip from Paris to Barcelona with about three other districts in France. We drove from Paris to Barcelona and stopped at different towns and attractions along the way. We did so many amazing things, such as visit the Eiffel tower, a few castles and a theme park.
We then stayed in Barcelona for three days and had guided tours around the city and I was able to met a lot of great people from all over the world!
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My family also took me to Italy the week before, because we live about a 30 minutes drive from the Italian border. We spent three days in Turin and visited lots of tourist sites. We also ate a lot of pizza and these really thick Italian hot chocolates.
Schools going alright, I don’t do much in class because I can’t understand. But I have just started taking French lessons every Friday, organised by my Rotary club, which is really going to help improve my French.
I don’t have many friends at the moment but there is another Rotary exchange student in class so I hang out with him and when we have long lunch breaks (three hours), we go into town a eat a kebab for lunch.
On the weekends I go skiing sometimes, because we live right in front of the ski field, and because I live here I can go for free. I’m not very good, but I have had a lesson from a member of the Rotary club which I think really helped. Catriona Kelly Chadwick Germany Here in Germany, my first host family is so great, there is always someone around the house to talk to and play games with. Being in this family is really nice because I don't have siblings in NZ and here I have five siblings.
In the first two months I have been on a weekend trip to Paris with the Rotex from Freibury. This trip was great and I got to see many things, such as the Eiffiel tower and the Arc de triomphe.
I started school in the 9th class and have made so many friends. School is hard because my German is not the best, but it is getting easier as my German improves. All my classmates help me with the language and so does my family. I also went to a week-long language camp in Lindenberg, which is close to Austria. This week was the best and it was so rewarding to see how my German had improved, after seeing my effort and my results from the language camp, the Rotary district has decided to sponsor me
and a few others from my district for the Budapest and Vienna tour - which is amazing! I do not know many details yet but I will update when I know. Next week I go on my Germany tour and I am really excited for that. In the Germany tour we will visit places like Hamburg and Frankfurt and many more. Thanks for giving me the chance to come to Germany, I am really enjoying it. Kelly
Te Kawhi King Brazil Oi from me to y’all in Nz.
For the benefit of my parents I’m firstly saying that I’m fine and loving life and Brazil so much! My first few days here I was very jet lagged and literally slept for 12 hours until I got use to the time difference of 16 hours - this was very hard for me.
The flight to Argentina was 11 hours and 30 minutes, I didn’t sleep (dumb of me I know). All I’m gonna say about Argentina is that I will be back in my future travels, I loved it there so much. We spent three days there and wow just amazing. Kyle and I took a futher fight from Argentina to Sao Paulo leaving the other exchangers and our chaperones (I cried) I then did the next flight alone from Sao Paulo to Florianopolis. This was the last time I saw Kyle and again I cried. Despite the tears I made it to Floripa safe and sound receiving a very memorable welcome.
The city I live in is Sao Ludgero and the state is Santa Catarina absolutely gorgeous.
My host family... I have no words to describe how amazing they are and the amount of love they have already shown me after just one month is out of this world and I am very privileged to be apart of such a fantastic familia. I have been lucky enough to meet almost the entire extended family and they are just so loving, I’ve never been hugged and kissed so much. I have been to seven birthdays and finally I’ve learnt how to sing “happy birthday” in Portuguese. I’ve attended one graduation and Brazilians really know how to celebrate.
School is so enjoyable and I’ve made some amazing
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friends. They’ve invited me to birthdays and they treat me like I’ve been a member of the class for a long time which is so pleasant. The teens here are so much more approachable compared to New Zealand and they are welcoming and you feel warm vibes instantly.
I’m gonna be honest in saying I’ve felt really homesick and what’s actually helped me is talking with both my host family and my real family and sharing my feelings with them. Although I initially thought it wouldn’t help it turned out it does wonders for the heart and soul.
I have been to two Rotary events so far including Carnaval, (a Brazilian street parade). We wore a bright red costume that stood out a lot. This event was really hard for me as I had only been here 15 days and didn’t speak the language nor understand a lot and so it was hard for me to connect with the other exchangers who have been here nearly six months. I am the only new exchanger in my district.The oldies already have a tight knit bond and I felt like I didn’t fit in.
The other event was a boat trip in Floripawhere we visited surrounding islands. This was very enjoyable especially because I had my host parents along for the ride too.
At present I have just come back from a six day trip around the south of my state absolutely gorgeous! The scenery is just stunning and reminds me of New Zealand so much, at this trip I began to feel so much
more comfortable with my peers this is a huge thing for me to feel apart of the group although I’ve never been the one to want to fit in feeling like I belong has made me feel good. I can confidently say I have a lovely international family that I love so much.
Being in Brazil for 50 days I have noticed a lot of major differences from New Zealand. It has opened my eyes to a whole new developing world., I feel very lucky to live the life I lived in New Zealand. People in Brazil work extremely hard and rarely ever pull sickies like kiwis, this inspires me.
In finishing I would just like to thank my host club Morrinsville Rotary club, My host district 9930, Rotary international and My amazing parents for the endless support. I love you all, I hope 2018 has endless amounts of blessings.
Obrigada, Tchau. Te Kawhi King Tamihana Toby
KyleOdendaalBrazil It has been nearly two months in Brazil as I am writing this report, and the time has been flying by so quickly.
The three day stopover that I had in Buenos Aires, Argentina was an amazing introduction into the South American culture, and was a great opportunity to bond with the other NZ exchange students heading to different parts of South America. The days were
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filled with so many various activities that not once did I think back of home. Our chaperones were also amazing in helping us have a great time and taking us to our flights.
When I arrived into Brazil I was greeted with a warm welcome from my host family, before we headed off on the nine hour drive back to my town.
I have settled well into my school instantly making friends, and they have been trying to speak Portuguese with me and teach me new words. I have also settled into my host family really quickly, as they have been so caring with me and have done everything to make me feel part of the family. I have been helping my family in cleaning and we go on a family walk every night where we converse in Portuguese as much as we can, and they teach me lots of new words.
I have gone on a few trips already provided by my Rotary district, and the oldie exchange students have made me feel so welcome into their family of exchange students. The trips have been an opportunity to see more of Brazil and to make lots of new friends. I have really been enjoying my time here in Brazil, and I cannot wait for more adventures in the coming months. Kyle
Sophie Jones Belgium 2170 I can’t believe it’s been two months already!! Saying goodbye to everyone, and hopping on the plane feels like yesterday, but at the same time it feels like a lifetime ago. I suppose in some ways it was! I’m so grateful for every aspect of my life here.
I love my host family. My host parents are extremely supportive and encouraging; they have found lots of activities for me to get involved in such as swimming, a French course, football, and a 20km run in May.
School is also going really well – my school is quite small (about 600 students), so there is a very warm and friendly atmosphere. I’ve settled in really well with my class and made some good friends. It makes all the difference having friends at school, I know
they’re looking out for me, and I can practice French with them!
My host club is also very welcoming, many of the Rotarians speak English so I can tell them a bit about NZ and how my life is going in Belgium. My councilor doesn’t speak English, but he is very nice and funny – and it’s been cool to see how my French progresses when I talk to him each month!
Of course, sometimes it’s super hard – with the language, settling in, and homesickness; but you guys at home prepared me so well for this tough stage, and I know it will pass and be more than worth it!
A highlight so far has been the Rotary trip to Amsterdam in February. It was a full on few days with museums, canal tours and walking around the city, but it was so amazing! I couldn’t believe I was actually there – at the Anne Frank house, or the Van Gogh museum, walking alongside the tall, narrow houses and windmills, and almost getting run over by the 1000s of bikes. It was definitely a trip to remember.
Overall, I’m extremely happy, and grateful to Rotary for this opportunity. Thank you for preparing me so well, supporting me, and helping me to leap out of my comfort zone.
A canal in Amsterdam
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Me and two friends in Grande Place (central Brussels). Sophie
Carmel Scott(Katy) Austria Language camp was a really enjoyable two weeks that I had in February. There were 18 exchange students there from New Zea land, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina. We stayed in a beautiful town called Altmünster in Upper Austria and we learnt German every day. During our lunch breaks we were able to explore Altmünster and on some days we had small excursions such as ice skating and visiting Salzburg. Salzburg is an amazing city and there were some awesome sights, such as Mozart’s birthplace, the lock bridge, and the original Sound of Music fountain. It snowed a lot during language camp and it was a lot of fun having snowball fights and making a snowman. I learnt a lot of German during those two weeks and it was really great being able to meet all of the other ‘newbies’ (January inbounds) in Austria.
The weather in my town has been very cold lately with some days not being warmer than -10°C! However, there were some benefits of this weather, such as the frozen pond in my host family’s friend’s backyard, which I was able to go ice skating on. I also learnt how to play ice hockey and ice stock sport, which was extremely fun, although I did fall over quite a few times!
I spent the last week in Schladming, a famous skiing mountain in Austria, on my ski camp with all of the other exchange students in Austria. I had an absolute
blast and I loved meeting all of the ‘oldies’ (August inbounds). We had an instructor for the first few days and I was able to try ski runs that are much steeper than ski runs in New Zealand. On one afternoon, we were given the opportunity to go sledding, which I had never done before, and it was very enjoyable. I went with a partner and we crashed so many times that by the end I was covered in snow and all of my clothes were wet. It was an amazing experience and it was great to meet people from so many different countries. I am enjoying my exchange so much and I cant wait to explore many other beautiful places in Austria and step out of my comfort zone even further.
Katy