Kirsten Beth Lomnitzer -- Brazil (Home Club: North Creek)

December 22, 2012
Sponsoring Club: North Creek Rotary Club District 7190
Host Club: Sao Luis, Sao Fransisco Rotary Club District 4490

I am sorry that this report I late but for the past twenty days I have been on a tour of Northeast Brasil and have not had access to the internet. The trip was comprised of ninety one exchange students and six guides. We had a wonderful time and I met many people from different countries, both oldies and newies. We went to many different cities including Salvador and Rio de Janerio. I made many friends including Solange, from District 9550, Megan, from District 9455 and Svenja, from District 1840. We were all from different countries and live oceans apart but Rotary Club has allowed us to come together in an entirely different culture from our own. This opportunity is one that I will never forget and one that I will always be thankful for.

Within the trip, the exchange students spoke a rather strange combination of Portuguese, English, German (German speaking exchange students had a majority, followed closely by Taiwan) and any other language that might have been represented by the students. Some of the students weren't even holding their exchange in Brasil and that fact made communicating rather interesting, to say the least. Some people didn't speak English, some people didn't speak Portuguese but I must say, with a bit of cooperation of both the newies and the oldies, we communicated just fine.

I am really looking forward to spending Christmas or Natal here in Brasil. Merry Christmas, everyone. Feliz Natal!

Sincerely,
Kirsten Beth Lomnitzer

Ashley Costello -- Belgium (Home club: N. Lake George)

December 14, 2012

I 'm always so busy so I forget to write my reports, sorry! Everything here is great. I'm in the middle of taking my exams, which are really difficult (but definitely help with my french). My Rotary Club took some exchange students (like 100!) to Germany last Wednesday. We went to a Christmas Market in Aachen. It was really interesting to be surrounded by people speaking German because I'd never actually heard German before.  Next week I'm going to spend the weekend in Ghent with my host family for a Christmas party with family members that I haven't been introduced to yet. I move to my second family's house the day after Christmas and I'm going to spend a week skiing in France with my third family during vacation in February. Other than that, life is just normal now. I've made friends and I'm comfortable in my environment here.

Alyxe Perry -- Belgium (Home club: So. Rensselaer)

Hi Everyone!
 So I have been super busy and having the time of my life here in Belgium. I have been traveling around a lot. A few weeks ago I went to London and Paris with Rotary and then to Bruxelles and other cities with my friends. I love having the public transportation because I don't have to rely on my host parents for rides. It's awesome. School is okay, Still really different than home. I don't think i'll ever get completely used to it. The days are so long and the classes are so boring! We are actually taking exams now before the christmas break starts. I only have to take 4, but a lot of my rotary friends in other schools don't have to take any. My school is really strict with exchange students and want's us to do all the same stuff as the other kids, which is hard sometimes with the language barrier. Speaking of language things are going really well. I'm learning a lot, not fluent yet but I understand 90% of what I hear and I can manage to say all I need to say.

 My host family is really nice! For thanksgiving we didn't do anything special and they knew it was a big holiday for me at home so my host mom made me a chocolate cake in the shape of a heart. It was so sweet. Right now there are a lot of "Marche de noel" things being set up in towns all over for christmas. The Marche de Noel is just basically a christmas market with a lot of artesian products. The one in the town I go to school in is going on now so my friends and I spent last weekend there. I am going to Denmark in a couple weeks to visit Jasmin, the exchange student that my club hosted last year. I am so excited for that! Everything is going great, but I"m realizing the year is going way to fast. I never want exchange to end!!

 Hope all is well with everyone else!

-Alyxe Perry

Aubrey Racz -- Ecuador (Home club -- So.Rensselaer)

December 8, 2012                                             

Host club 4400

Sponser 7190

Family Medina

Counselor Pepe Lara

 

Everything is still great with my health, family, school, and Rotary. Im still going to school everyday. The principal gave all the exchange students a project that consisted of a minimum of 10 page paper and a power point presentation. I spoke about 9/11. Two of my ecuadorian friends asked a teacher who heard us all present who was the best, and she said me and one of my friends from switzerland, so that made me feel really good!! Some of the exchange students have to present again because it wasn't good enough. I definitely still feel accepted by the students (we are doing Secret Santa). I go to Rotary meetings every wednesday. One Saturday we had a party because it was the 75th aniversary of my club. We got dressed up and it was pretty fun, dancing and eating. Also, the chairman of my club told me that I might get reimbursed for some of the things that got stolen from me. My family took me to Quito, the capital of Ecuador. It was amazing and I loved it. It was nice to feel some cold weather to get me more in the mood for Christmas, as I spend a majority of my time here sweating. The 13th of december I will be going to the Amazon!!! I'm super excited! We are going to swim in the lakes and go hiking and bird watching and other stuff too. Im so excited!! When I come back, it will almost be Christmas, and then new years and then the school year ends here soon after that (sometime in Feb) so I have a lot of fun stuff to look forward to! Hope all is well in NY! Chao!

Keith Roscoe -- France (Home Club: Cobleskill)

 November 28, 2012

Hello Everyone!!

     I can't believe that it has been 3 months already! I must start every monthly report by saying something like that, but I am just so shocked everytime.  In these three months I have done so much. Quite literally, I have started a new life here.  I feel very comfortable with my family, school, and just life in general.  

     Since I last wrote I have done so many things.  I hang out with other students fairly frequently, that is always fun.  But, concrete things I have done. Let's see:

-Day of Crepes with my Host Grandma (who knitted me a scarf, an awesome hat, and now mittens are in the works!) and on the way home we hit a wild pig with the car! Who would have guessed that wild pigs were native in France!! The thing survived too!! Long story in detail, you will have to ask my some time.

-I went and saw Saint Malo, a very beautiful landmark up north.  An old fortified village and well known port.

-Jour de la Toussaint: super big deal of like remembering all the dead. Very pretty in the cemetary. Sort of awkward going to grandad's tomb with family, but they didn't get super emotional so it went well.

-I think a got a speaking role in my theater club!  But, it's not 100 percent sure yet so I'll let you all know.

-I cooked Thanksgiving for my family and didn't screw it up! I had plenty of advice from my host mom in terms of the turkey, but besides that it was me!

    I am starting to note that I have problems with my english. It is horrible. Within the process of writing this email, I have attempted to write about 3 french words.  The other day skypeing with my mother,  I threw in french words.  It is taking over!  

   All in all, everything is going super well! There is so much to share that I just can't do it in an email. Check back later for the novel version, haha.

 

 

Nicholas Theiss -- from Germany (Host: No. Lake George)

11-19-2012

Host Rotary Club _Northern Lake George

Sponsor Rotary Club _Aalen-Heidenheim (Germany)  

Current Host Family _Costello 

Counselor Name Ted Caldwell; Asst. Chair: Walter Thorne

I have finished with the football team; we lost in the Sectional Championships for a chance to play in the final four. I started track practice on Tuesday November 13, 2012. Mr. Walter Thorne the Asst Exchange chair for the Rotary Club is the head coach. I’m practicing the sprinting and long jump events. I’m also going to Glens Falls New York to the movies and shopping. I got my first report card on Friday November 16 and all of my grades or above 85. I took part in the cancer walk at school.

 I have no concerns at this time, everything is wonderful so far.

Kirsten Beth Lomnitzer -- Brazil (Home club: North Creek)

November 11, 2012
Sponsoring Club: North Creek Rotary Club District 7190
Host Club: Sao Luis, Sao Fransisco Rotary Club District 4490

I am loving my exchange year! I just got back from Rotary Orientation where I met so many other students! We went to the beach and just hung out and got to know each other. It was very fun. I will be going on the a tour for most of December and most of the district will be going as well. I really am looking forward to it! I have been working hard in school and am able to understand the teachers when they don't speak really fast, then I get lost and only pick up every other word or so. I am so thankful that I am having this experience!

Sincerely,
Kirsten Beth Lomnitzer

Caleb Allison -- Venezuala (Home club: Salem)

November 10, 2012

 

 

I’m great.  I getting to know the layout of Coro a lot better.  Little by little I’ve been traveling around the local area in about an hour radius.  I’ve been to the tropical sierras to the South and several beaches in the peninsula (including the volcanically formed rock waterfront that is the farthest northern point in Venezuela).

The other day I went to the City of Punto Fijo.  It was one of the original oil towns in Venezuelans and was largely built by American capitalists.  After the government seized the industry in the 1970’s the Americans left the city and it was fascinating and almost and almost haunting to see the abandoned and fading American infrastructure.  Leaving on Sunday, all the inbound exchange students in the district are taking a weeklong trip to the Andes.  There will evidently be river rafting and donkey riding and I’m super pumped.

My Spanish has improved immensely and if I know a person well I can understand almost everything they say at a normal speed.  (In fact I’m having trouble remembering big words and structuring my grammar in English right now writing this).  My family continues to be awesome.

I’ve been going to rotary meetings it seems like every week, recently.  Its a lot more involved down here and we were recently visited by the district governor.  Also last weekend all seventy some of the outbound exchange applicants district 4380 were in town and we had rotary sponsored parties both Friday and Saturday night.  Only a few dozen will be accepted to go and the club president told me to tell you people in the US to take Venezuelan exchange students.

I do have two problems.  One’s more or less taken care of and the other hopefully will be too soon.

The first one lies with the school.   I’m in two classes that I learn something new: castellano (Latin American Spanish) and Venezuelan geography but besides that all the material is a repeat.  Also the school system is a little bit different here in that the students graduate at 16 or 17 and then have 5 years of college, so I’m the age of a 3rd year University student.  I’m accepted but it often feels forced, like I’m a square peg in a round whole.  Therefore, me and and rotary here have decided that I would do better splitting my time between the high school and the local university.  I will be taking tutored classes in spanish and phonetics, a class in spanish literature, and some calculus in the university as well as continue to take classes like Castellano, geography, and history in the high school.  This plan hopefully will go into effect as soon as we get back from the Andes.

My other problem comes courtesy of the US Army.  Before I left the medical team at West Point told me they were fairly confident that I wouldn’t have to jump through any more hoops for next year and I could travel to Latin America without worry.  However now they have re-reviewed my file and decided that I should be tested for asthma, heart dilation, and the healed fracture in my skull that’s already been checked two or three times.  So I’m going to be going to Caracas sometime soon to get those done and I’m praying I can pass them.  I was going to stay in a hotel but the governor of rotary has vowed to write a letter to the embassy demanding a room or free hotel.  I doubt they’ll give it to me but I think I’m in good hands and the situation is being dealt with slowly but surely.

But yeah, overall I’m feeling good.

 

Kania Alisjahbana -- from Indonesia (host: Ballston Spa)

 November 9, 2012                                                                                                                        

Host Club:  Ballston Spa                                                                                                                                 

Home Club: RC Bandung Kota Kembang, Indonesia

Reporting from Ballston Spa High School Library, you can see that I am just fine! It has been exactly 2 months and 7 days in United States of America. Time flies by so fast.

I’m feeling good and there’s nothing to worry about my health. I like to think that I have taken care of myself quite well; I just need to be prepared with layers of clothing for the upcoming winter, I guess. And my wonderful host family is taking care of me very well, we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving and we’re all just very excited, we’re planning to introduce an Indonesian dish to the bigger family.

I’m doing very well in school. In fact, I’m loving school. I can go through all my classes very well and I’m having so much fun with a lot of new people to hang out with. I have been quite active in BSHS’s after school activities. If you did not know, I was in the swimming team for the fall sports season (it has ended). For the winter, I have planned to focus my activities in the clubs throughout the winter. I am in Interact, Peer Mentoring, Swing Dance Club and also Troupe/Drama Club. There are a few other clubs that is catching my attention, but I still need to maintain my schedule very carefully.

Every Tuesday, my counselor—whom I call Derik—picks me up from school to attend the Rotary Lunch Meeting at The Factory. I have not failed in attending each and every meeting and I am happy to be with Rotary Club Ballston Spa. They are a wonderful group of people who has been very welcoming, nice and supporting to me over the days. I am introduced to a lot of topics of discussion, but I don’t partake in them very actively since I don’t quite understand what the adults talk about most of the time. But I am going to be doing a presentation on Indonesia on the meeting that will be held 27^th of November. I am definitely excited about that, if not also nervous. Derik said I will do well though, so let’s see what will happen.

I have done a lot of things over the past 2 months. I have taken part in the children’s tradition of trick-or-treating with my host sister and her friend and I have to say; it was a lot of fun! I never knew that going from house to house and getting free candies would be such a pleasure. I kind of want to bring that back home. I have also succeeded stage managing for the school’s fall play production; Noises Off. It was a very interesting experience to be backstage and learning about how a play exactly works behind the scenes and to see our audience’s reactions. It was also a lot fun to be able to hang out with the cast and crew. I guess it’s okay that I didn’t get any parts in the production. Wish me luck for another audition though; I’m going to try out for a musical in preparation for the spring musical.

So far, I’m still having a blast here in Ballston Spa. I still have a lot of activities planned in the future. I have no issues/concerns whatsoever. But I am hoping to get more involved with more of the school’s performing arts-related activities.

Aubrey Racz -- Ecuador (Home club: So.Rensselaer)

November 8, 2012

Ecuador-Portoviejo 4400

1790

Medina

Pepe Lara

 

My health is still great. My home situation as well. It keeps getting better and better. (I don't want to change families). My relationshp is excellent. I still go to school everyday and do the classwork. The principal gave all the exchange students a project to do with a ten page paper and powerpoint that we have to present to her and other teachers about pretty much whatever topic we want. I will be talking about the September 11 terrorist attacks. I'm still going to the basketball course but the coach is in another city now so there isn't practice.

 

I just attended a Rotary meeting last night and my counselor brought me back to my house. Everything is great with the club. My relationship with my host club and counselar are both excellent.

 

All the exchange students in Ecuador had a trip to the province where I live. We went to come cities and participated in the parade in my city. Also, I went to the circus with my family but it was really hard to understand what was going on but I still had a good time.

 

I do have one issue. It has already been taken care of but you should know that I got robbed. It was the first night of the trip to my province and my room got robbed. We all thought the door was locked but it wasn't. We fell asleep around 2 am and at 3 am I woke up and rolled over to find our door open. I sat up to see what happened because I thought it was wierd and both my backpack and suitcase were gone. I got up and found my suitcase opened and rumaged through outside the door, the three zippers on the outside opened as well. One of my roommates bags was farther away outside, and my backpack was gone. I woke the other girls up and 2 of them were missing things too. We woke up some rotarians and they came to look around and they called the police. The police came and we told them what we were missing. The next night we searched through all the rooms with the police, but found nothing. It was only exchange students staying at the hotel but it was and outside hotel so it could have been anyone. The wierd thing is that the gaurd said he made a round at 2:30 and said he saw no one. The police are still investigating, but this happened the 10th of October so I don't really have much hope to get anything back. My counselor and host club know so they are trying to help but I feel like it's hopeless. Oh..in my backpack was my camera, i pod, 85 dollars, a pair of shorts, and under armor jacket, my diary that I had been writing in, and other little things of no real importance, but they also took my i pod charger from my suitcase and phone charger. A friend was nice enough to give me his camera that he didn't want (because it was pink), but I'm still missing everything else. 

 

The rest of the trip kind of stunk but when I got back to my house I was so happy to be home and everything got better after that! And now i rarely think about it/notice it so everything is just fine!

David O'Connor -- France (Home Club: Albany)

November 6, 2012

Things are going great! October was a very busy month - I changed host families, travelled a bunch, and went to a couple concerts. The new host family is awesome and pretty much constantly doing cool things, so I'm having a lot of fun. I went with them to Bourgogne (Burgundy?) and Normandy for a few days, where I went to the D-Day beaches, a couple parties, and a music festival in Caen. I also got to go to Strasbourg with my district, which was amazing, and did a little tour of northern Alsace. I haven't been going to as many of my club's functions because my new host parents aren't Rotarians. Another reason I really like my new host family: they eat extremely healthily and are always active, so while I wasn't in poor health before, I'm surprised at how much better I feel physically. I'm having a really great time and I've got a bunch of plans for the next few weeks. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity!

Achat Adrien -- France (Host Club -- North Creek)

November 3, 2012
Home Club:  Rotary Club de Saint Laurent du Var District 1730

I skype a lot, i'm bored, and i have a good health.

My relationship with my families is normal.

School :
I go on regular basis.
I'm in a Ski team (downhill) , and i'll go maybe to the band ( Still not sure ).
We can not dream better.

Rotary :
Yes, just 3 meetings with the presentation right now.
My last meeting was for my presentation.
Yes, the club is very good with me.
My host club ? Excellent
My Counselor ? Excellent

Soccer team is finish, so i'm in the ski team right now.
Issues or Concerns:  Not really Thank you.

Alyxe Perry -- Belgium (Home Club: So. Rensselaer)

30 October 2012
Host Rotary Club: Le Roeulx
Sponsor Rotary Club: Southern Rensselaer County
Current Host Family: Luc VerHellen
Counselor Name: Philippe D.

I am doing great and my health is okay as well, I have been sick for a couple weeks now, but it's just a really long cold. That hasn't stopped me from doing anything. I love my host family, they are awesome and very supportive of me. Our relationship is very good and I can talk to them about anything.

School:
I am attending school and class on a regular basis, there are no activities school provides outside of class. That's something I really miss from the U.S. I do feel accepted by the students and I have a lot of awesome friends.

Rotary:
I have attended one club rotary meeting, one district meeting, and 2 meetings of all the exchange students in Belgium. I haven't had a specific meeting with my rotary counselor and have not been a guest of any other rotary members. My relationships with my host club and counselor are excellent! I am really enjoying everything that is going on.

I just came back from a rotary trip to Paris and On Nov. first I am heading to London!!!
Thanks, hope all is well!

Nicholas Theiss (from Germany) -- Northern Lake George

October 8, 2012

Host Rotary Club _Northern Lake George  

Sponsor Rotary Club _Aalen-Heidenheim (Germany) 

Current Host Family _Costello

Counselor Name Ted Caldwell; Asst. Chair: Walter Thorne

 HEALTH and HOME

Give a brief description of the current status of your own health and life with your host family, including information that answers the following:

·        How are you doing?  How is your health?

·        Are you comfortable in your current host home?

·        How is your relationship with your host family?

Excellent __X__

SCHOOL

Describe your experience at the school you attend, covering the following:

·        Are you attending school and going to class on a regular basis? Good

·        Do you participate in any activities in school outside of class? Yes

·        Do you feel accepted by the students in school? Yes

ROTARY

·        Have you attended any Rotary meetings or functions? Yes

·        When did you last meet with your Rotary counselor, and where? 10/03

·        How would you describe your relationship with:

Host Club? Excellent _X___   Good____   Just OK____    Poor____

Counselor? Excellent __X__   Good____   Just OK____    Poor____

ACTIVITIES

 I’m on the High School Football team. I go to the movies with my host family, and have gone to the Great Escape Amusement Park. Went to the OctoberFest with Assistant Counselor Walter Thorne, his Wife, Host Brother Anthony and new friend Cody Shaner.

ISSUES/CONCERNS

I have no concerns at this time, everything is wonderful so far.

Kirsten Lomnitzer -- Brazil (Home Club: North Creek)

October 18, 2012
Sponsoring Club: North Creek Rotary Club District 7190
Host Club: Sao Luis, Sao Fransisco Rotary Club District 4490

Today I went to another Rotary Club meeting. I could understand a good portion of what was said, as long as they went slowly. I still come across words that I don't know but by defining the word using phrases I can understand allows me to learn more Portuguese. I am having a wonderful time here in Brazil. In November, on the weekend of the tenth, I will be taking the Orientation program here in São Luís, I will be able to meet all of the other kids from District 4490. I'm looking forward to it!

Sincerely,
Kirsten Beth Lomnitzer

Fielding Padgett -- in France (Home Club: Salem)

October 16, 2012

My time in France has been great so far. I live in a small village about 45 minutes from Paris, which is very convenient for visiting Paris on the weekends. My relationship with my host family is great. I've been learning French more quickly due to the fact that they don't speak a word of English.  School has been very fun here, everyone is friendly and usually interested in me because I'm American. The rotary dinners have been great as well. My French is coming along well and I'm understanding more everyday. However, some classes are a little difficult because of how quickly the teachers speak, which is why I'm writing this report from my Spanish class. I'm on a soccer team here which has been a great experience so far. We won our first game 3-0, and I actually  had two of the goals. That definitely made me more popular with my teammates. To give a brief summary of the interesting things I've done since I've been here, I went to the top of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, a demolition derby, an island in western France for vacation, Disneyland, a soccer game in Paris, an Earth, Wind and Fire concert, and most recently, the beaches of Normandy and mont saint-michel with my rotary club.

Keith Roscoe -- in France (Home Club: Cobleskill)

October 16, 2012
 
Bonjour tout le monde!!

    Wow, do I have a lot to share.  I will start with most recent and work my way back.

This weekend I went to Mont St. Michel with Rotary. It was an interdistrict event, so there was about 200 students there! We were about 28 countries represented. A brief summary of the weekend: we traversed  (or at least half traversed) the bay by foot, returned and saw the traditional dance of the region (okay so really we were supposed to watch it but we were talking), then it was essentially a dance club with music and lights till the early morning (sanctioned by Rotary, don't worry), and then the next day I actually explored Mont St. Michel.  It is so beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't have a large amount of time to explore.  However, I very much enjoyed it. The weekend started a little bizarre because our district came in two groups, one which was significantly later than the other.  Fortunately, I was on time.  My favorite part of the weekend was meeting everyone! Regardless whether it was the first time, or just seeing them again.  Everyone in rotary is a family, regardless.  This weekend and my other weekend also gave me a few ideas to share with the district back home.

I had the opportunity to travel to Concarneau, the town where my oldest host brother goes to college, and see the old "Ville Close" closed village. It is a historic town with ramparts and everything.  There is potential that I had "administrative things to do for my visa in Nantes" that Monday, if you catch my drift...

My Rotary Club had one big event I went to. Essentially it was a big fundraiser for this very old abbey, like we are talking 14th century old.  The theme was a garden party, sort of.  So, there were lots of venders of all sort of plants, etc.  It was fairly successful as it was the first event of its kind.

School is going well.  Honestly, I am making an effort to do the work...when I want to. That being said, I am motivated by the fact that I know it is all extremely good practice especially if I ever want to pursue a career in language or take the DELF/DALF.  This is something to share with all the other students.  Each government has its own special test that can certify a foreigner's capacity of the langauge.  I plan on taking a very high level of this test in May.  That being said, I need a fair amount practice.  The test I want to take is called the Diplome Approfondis de la Langue Francais.  Essentially, a test that says I am fluent and capable to form a solid argument in French.

Everything with the family is going well...Oh, I almost forgot! The family helped me throw my birthday party because it was my 18th birthday!! And, I just filled out my absentee ballot to vote (most uninformed political decision ever). Anyway, the party was very very nice, and I couldn't be happier.

Interesting fact, I have decided to learn portuguese.  I like it very much. 

Cordially,

Keith

Caleb Allison -- Venezuala (Home Club: Salem)

October 11, 2012

Host District: 4380

Current Host Family: The Fredianis

Counselor: Efraim Lopez Navarro 

I'm doing fine.  My health is good.  I am comfortable in my current home and my relationship with my host family is excellent.

I am attending school on a regular basis.  There aren't any extra curricular activities sponsored by the school.  I feel accepted by the students, even though I definitely occupy a unique "foreign kid" niche.

I have attended two regular rotary meetings as well as a meeting for exchange student candidates from Venezuela.  I last met with my counselor about a week ago in a diner.

I've been the guest of the host parents of the other exchange students. My relationship with my host club is excellent.

 

I am taking classes in karate and occasionally tag along in practice with the local swim team.  I went to a wedding of relative of my host family in Caracas three weeks ago.  The election just happened and Chavez was re-elected, but before that he and his rival Henrique Caprilles were in a closely contested race.  Both waged aggressive and at times dirty campaigns.  I observed rallies by both candidates and saw each in the flesh.

Aubrey Racz -- Ecuador (Home club: Southern Rensselaer)

October 9, 2012

4400 Portoviejo

7190

Medina

Pepe Lara

Health and Home: I am doing great!!! everything at home is fantastic. My health is good except for today. I stayed home from school becasue I was throwing up last night. I think I just ate something weird but my mom brought me tea and now I'm all better. My relationship is really good with my family.

School: I am still attending school everyday (except today). I feel very accepted by the students. They always help the exhange students when we need it and they invite us out when they do somehting.

Rotary: Every Wednesday I attend a meeting for rotary. I haven't met with my counselor in a while but he is going to the meeting tomorrow so I will see him then. One day I went with my friend from Denmark and her host brother who is a rotarian to the Miss Portoviejo beauty pagent. Last Wednesday I recieved my monthly allowance of 80 dollars. My relationship with both my host club and counselor are really good.

Activities: I have been to church a few times with my family. This past sunday, the exchagne students in my province went to la isla de la plata. It's an island similar to the Galapogos just smaller and has less species. It was really pretty and the birds have blue feet and use their poop for protection of their eggs.

Issues/ Concerns: I don't have any issues.

Antoine Fauville -- France (Host Club: Salem)

October 10, 2012

Health and Home:

1) Health? I'm good, I like football and I'm not sick yet
2) Comfortable in your current home? Yes
3) Relationship with your host family?  Ok

School

1) I go to each class,  I miss none of them
2) I participate in the play, and I play football
3) Kind of I feel like I'm a lion in a circus sometimes but I'ts ok.

Rotary

1) Attended any Rotary meetings? Yes
2)Met with your Rotary counselor?  two weeks ago, in the rotary House
3) Guest of any other Rotary members? Yes my third family, Padgett, they are awesome !
4) Receive your Rotary allowance?  Yes i did.
5) Relationship with your host club and counselor?  good, excellent

Activities

The week end in Maple Hill was the best moment ever; in Salem, not really much.  I've visit nothing yet, I'll go in new york with the Maple Hill city trip day in a few weeks

Issues

1) Well, I've some problem to pay the skipass for the whole season, and it's before the 16 october or it's going to be more expensive.. So I hope I could get a little help from the rotary, it could be really cool.

Thank you very much.

See you, Antoine

Ashley Costello -- Belgium

September 28, 2012

Host Rotary Club: Ocquier

Current Host Family:  Pierre Nicolai
Counselor Name: Christian Wery

Home Club:  Northern Lake George

Health and Home:

I am doing great! I am healthy. I am very comfortable with my host family. They are really nice. Immediately after my arrival in Belgium, my host family took me on a trip to Spain for five days. This trip definitely helped us get comfortable with one another before school started.

School:

I am attending school and going to class every day. I don't participate in any activities in school outside of class, however, I take a french course at the cultural center here every wednesday with another exchange student at my school. I definitely feel accepted by the other students in school and I've made many friends already.

Rotary:

I have attended several Rotary dinners and functions. My rotary club here organizes trips every other wednesday afternoon and they occasionally plan activities during the weekend for the exchange students. I see my Rotary counselor pretty much every day. He is a teacher at my school and he lives nearby so he occasionally drives me to and from school. I have received my allowance this month. My allowance is 65 euros. My relationship with both my host club and my counselor is fantastic.

Activities:

During our trip to Spain, my host family took me to see Salvador Dali's house and we visited a museum dedicated to him. We also visited a Monastery in Spain and a Roman Aquaduct in France. One of our Wednesday trips with Rotary was to a local coal mine. Very interesting :)

No concerns here! :) Thanks again!

David O'Connor -- France

September 27, 2012

I can't believe I've already been in France for a month! It's been an amazing experience. I've made a lot of progress in my French, and no longer have to ask people to slow down or repeat things (with the occasional exception). School's going well, I feel like I've made actual friends, and I still get random people who run up to me, say "Hello!" and run away. It's very tiring to think in French though, so by the end of most days I'm brain dead. The food's amazing and I've tried out every new thing I've been offered, which hasn't turned out bad yet. I spent my birthday in Heidelberg, Germany, which was absolutely incredible. I've been to a few Rotary functions and all the people have been very friendly and offered to take me out to do things - I'm going hunting this Saturday with someone from Rotary, and mountain biking on Sunday with a friend from school. All in all, it's going great!

David O'Connor
Home Club:  Albany Rotary 

Vanessa de Carvalho Oliveira -- Chile (host club: Albany)

September 24, 2012

Host: RC of Albany

Sponsor RC: RC São José dos Pinhais Colônia Murici, Chile

Current Host Family: Tommy Holecek and Marianne Maloy

            During the past month here I have already had some of the best experiences of my life such as swimming in a lake that was freezing. My health is good with no major issues. My host family is truly loving and have embraced me in their family even before I got in the airport which has for sure made a huge difference in exchange.

            I went to school every single day with the exception of today due to a migraine. I have started cheerleading that has captivated me. I already had made friends from school before the classes started since one of my host sisters is a senior just like me. So since day one I have had friends who helped me finding my way in Albany High School and that made me feel welcomed.

            I sadly didn’t attend any Rotary meetings however I met my counselor in my second week in the US when he came to home to meet me and discuss the rules and to clarify any doubts that I may had. I received my US$ 75 allowance on September 12^th.

            I have joined a program in my school called Peer To Peer in which I work as Peer Mentor. My duty is to help assigned kids that suffer from Autism in the way they relate to people and finding their way around school.

Adrien Achat -- France (Host Club: North Creek)

September 11, 2012

Home Club:  Rotary Club de Saint Laurent du Var District 1730
Host Club:  North Creek, Essex, 7190
Host Parents:   Carol Richards And George Heim
Youth Exchange Officer:  Joyce Holwell

I do my homework, go on the hot top, help my families, my health is excellent.
I'm very comfortable, there are very nice with me.
My relationship with my families is really really excellent.

School:
I go on regular basis. I'm on a soccer team, and I'll go maybe to the band.
We can not dream better.

Rotary :
I have attended 2 meetings.  My last meetings was for my orientation. They are very good with me. My host club has been excellent, my counselor is good.

On the soccer team, this relationship like we are united this is very important for me to be in a sport team. I'll go with my families to Montreal and maybe to New-York. Usually I go to Glens Falls for shopping.

Alyxe Perry -- Belgium

Hello Everyone!,


It has been 3 weeks since I have arrived in Belgium!I have experienced a lot and am learning so much. Since I didn't know much French at all before I came here I am finding it very exhausting to concentrate, but they say I am learning fast which makes me feel great! I get along pretty well with my host family. I have 3 younger sisters, and a host Mom: Vero and a host Dad: Luc. They are wonderful they include me in all the family activities and keep me active. I am playing soccer on the towns club team and might start doing track too. Sports are not big at all in Belgium especially for girls, which is one thing that is difficult for me because thats what I do all the time at home.

I just finished my first week at school which was an experience. School is so different here compared to home. You don't necessarily pick classes you pick a track. For example I am in Math-Sciences, so I take a lot of science classes and since I didn't want to take math classes I go to the library during that and study French. Every year, based on their "track" students have a certain number of hours of courses so instead of having Biology one year Chemistry another year and Physics another year, a certain number of hours of those courses are taken every year. It's very different! There are 3 other exchange students at my school. One from California, one from Arizona, and one from Brazil. Don't worry I do not speak English with them :) At school you don't go inside and stay inside like in my school at home. You wait outside for a lot of things. For example between classes sometimes there is a break kids go outside and it is very cold! In the mornings when school starts at 8:00 it is only about 53 degrees F. So you have to dress warm, but at around 3:00pm it starts to get warm, maybe 75 degrees F or so. A big difference from the morning. I have learned wearing a ton of layers is the name of the game.

To get to school and back most people take public transportation, there are no school bus's! Another thing that is different here is that kids can't drive until they are 18!

I am having a lot of fun though and time is already going so fast! I am meeting a ton of awesome people from all over the world.

Thanks for this opportunity :)   Alyxe Perry District 7190, Southern Rensselaer Rotary Club

Aubrey Racz -- Ecuador

September 8, 2012

Aubrey Racz   
Host: 4400 Portoviejo
Sponser: 7190, Southern Rensselaer Rotary
Host Family: Medina
Counselor: Pepe Lara

Ecuador is AWESOME!!! I am doing great, and my health is really good too. My host family is super nice and we get along really well. I have met almost everyone in their family and they have taken me to the nearby beach!! I am very comfortable here. I have my own bedroom and bathroom which helps a lot! The school I go to, Cruz del Norte, is great too. My classmates are a little bit crazy, but they make being at school fun. The first week I was here, the school took a week off from classes and did their own version of the Olympics. I was on team Italy...we came in 5th out of 6 teams :[ but it was still really fun. The next week we had classes, I have been to all of them. I will however miss next week because I have to go to the language camp. I definitely feel accepted by the students. They are all really nice and patient with us (there are about 12 exchange students in my school) since we don't really know the language that well. As of now, I have not participated in any activities outside of school, but my host mom mentioned something about playing basketball at night at the school so I am looking into that.

The first Friday I was here, I attended a Rotary party. The next Sunday, I spent the day with my counselor and his family at his parents beach house. The last time I saw him was at the Rotary meeting on Wednesday the 5th. At this meeting on Wednesday, I got my first allowance of 80 dollars. I think my relationship with both my counselor and host club is excellent.
One Saturday night I had a cool experience. My family and I went to a "funeral." It was very different from home. Everyone sat in chairs and recited the whole rosary. Then they give a plate of food to everyone. And then that was it. Much different from home and it was really cool to experience.

I have no concerns!! Hope all is well in New York!!