September 30, 2017
Santa
Cruz, Bolivia (Host Club)
I am currently staying with Alejandra
and Jose Aguilera. I am planning on staying with this family for my entire
stay. My host counselor is Patricia Arnez Gianella.
Health
and Home
I have now been here for 6 weeks
as of yesterday. Time seems to be flying by already. My health has been good
but there were a few weeks where I had a really bad cough and extreme
exhaustion. My host mom took me to the doctor’s office for some medicine and I
have been doing better ever since. I am extremely comfortable in my home and
with my family. However, I wish I had more siblings. As of right now, I only
have one sister who lives in our house and she is only two years old. I am looking
forward to developing my relationship with my family throughout the next year.
School
At first, I had trouble adjusting to
waking up early, as I leave my house at 6:30am for school, but I am beginning
to grow accustomed to it. In addition to this, due to being sick for so long, I
was not originally attending school every day as I should have been. However,
now I attend on a regular basis. I do not participate in any activities in
school but out of class, as there are not many offered here.
Originally, I did not feel accepted by
the students or fit in very well as I was put into a course level equivalent to
10th grade. Yet now, they moved me up to 11th grade. I am
much happier and I love my new classmates. They are kind and look out for me.
Next year, my host club will be sending me to the local university after I
finish out this semester in high school.
Rotary
Every Friday I attend a dinner/meeting
with the Rotarians and other exchange students. I also am in the process of
joining the Roteract group here as a way to spend my time in an underdeveloped
country usefully. My counselor brings me to each meeting and we discuss my life
here before and after the meetings each Friday. I am beginning to develop a
very good relationship with her. Each month I do receive an allowance of what
is equivalent to 60 American Dollars. I have a very good relationship with my
host club, including my Youth Exchange Officer.
Activities
Every week all the exchange
students get together, including rotex students, and go out to dinner. Often
times we go out more than once a week. We have all already gotten so close.
This past week and a half “La feria
exposicion” has been going on. It could almost be compared to a county fair in
the states but much larger and much more elaborate. It is where large companies
go for this week to sell their new products for cheap before they’re even
available. Including companies as large as Honda. The fair includes pop-up
restaurants and museums.
Concerns
As of right now I am very happy with
my life in Bolivia and I have no concerns.
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