November 28, 2016
The other day at my host Rotary Club meeting my YEO
had me read aloud an update from our outbound student (my absentee host
sister) to the assembly (didn't understand all of it and stumbled here
and there, but they said my American accent wasn't too bad(: ). Anyway,
it made me want to write to my own club and district just to say thank
you again and let you know a little bit about how my exchange is going,
especially since I haven't posted to my blog in a little while (which I
am hoping to rectify soon!).
Today marks the end of my
first three months in Slovakia, three months of school and family and
friends and new experiences. I love the language of this country, and
even though it is still challenging I feel like I have come a long way
since I first got here. Every other Tuesday
I go to Rotary meetings, and each time I understand more and more of
the conversation around me. I am the only exchange student in my town
which can be a little lonely sometimes (I have only met other students
twice since I've been here), but also means that I have gotten to know
the students at my school a lot better than I may have otherwise. The
27 other students in III.C at Gymnazium Pierra de Coubertina are slowly
but surely becoming my family here (my new Slovak nicknames are Emilka
or Milka). After school I often have a busy program between CrossFit,
Zumba, Rotary, and some music classes. I've gotten to go on hikes in
the nearby countryside and in the gorgeous High Tatras in the northeast
of the country. There is a rich folk culture here that I have seen in
some performances of dance and music, and I've also gotten to see a
couple wonderful classical concerts. It's common here on the weekends
or after school to go out to a kaviaren for coffee and tea or to a
cukraren for cake. The food here is heavy and filling - lots of meat,
cheese, bread, and potatoes - but my host mom (and, from what I've
heard, future host moms as well) cook lighter, healthy dinners at home,
and there is an abundance of fresh and local ingredients. Everybody here
drives a little crazy compared to what I'm used to, but at the same
time there aren't nearly as many cars on the road since more people take
buses and trains. In my little town of Piešťany, many people walk or
bike as well. Piešťany is a pretty and fairly modern town, a popular
destination for tourists because of the spa resorts located on the Váh
River. I love going for runs along the river and in the park, and feel
like I can get around on my own. Shopkeepers are very kind about
helping me out when I let them know I am still just learning Slovak,
especially since I have learned it is polite and expected to say "Hello"
(Dobrý deň) and "Goodbye" (Dovidenia) when you enter and leave a store
or restaurant.
Overall, I am very satisfied with Slovakia
and hope that I will get even more opportunities to travel to different
cities and experience as much of the country as possible this year.
Many many thanks again and best wishes to all of you for the holiday season,
Emily
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