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