Tuesday, February 02, 2010
The month of December was extremely hectic but was filled with excitement! There were so many tests, so many birthdays and a lot of chocolate! The regular gossip was filled with plans of Christmas vacation and I was extremely happy to be apart of it, for I was leaving on a trip to Paris on the 22nd of December, resting at Sophie's (my mother's) parents apartement, and spending christmas day with them and her family. I have never been more excited in my life! And as I road the train to Paris with Sophie, the anticipation was unbelievable, I could hardly sit still. As we finally entered the city from the train station I was on a Photo-spree instantly!The city was so beautiful and the christmas decorations made it even more lively and inviting. I was automatically in love!
Of course I visited all of the usual Paris attractions, the Eifel Tower, the Louvre, Les Champs-Elysée, and I even watched Avatar in 3-D! It was amazing! I spent most of my time with my brothers Paul and Joseph, it was a really great time. The night before Christmas we went to Sophie's brothers house for presents, diner and so on, for the French celebrate their christmas the night before, or at least my family did! It felt really great to be there, I honestly felt apart of their family, and I got to sleep in the little girls princess room which was really funny, but it was a good experience!
Paris was to me the most important part of the month of december, I don't really remember much that happened before! But I deffinately am on serious diet now after december! -- Katelyn
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Gil Strizich -- Argentina
February 4, 2010
Family Atencio
Pasaje Fatima s/n,
Yala, Jujuy
4616Argentina
Host Club: Rotary Club of San Salvador de Jujuy, 4800
Over the last month I have not attended any formal Rotary meetings. However I have been traveling alot to visit other exchange students in Argentina, which has given me the oppurtunity to meet and interact with rotarians outside of my district. The majority of the exchange students I have visited have host parents who are part of their local rotary clubs.
As I stated earlier, for the past month and a half of summer vacation I have been traveling around Argentina to visit other exchangers. This has been very exciting and has allowed me to practice and truly make use of my Spanish. Right now I am on vacation in Chile with my host parents, and i will be here for the next two weeks. I am in good health.
Family Atencio
Pasaje Fatima s/n,
Yala, Jujuy
4616Argentina
Host Club: Rotary Club of San Salvador de Jujuy, 4800
Over the last month I have not attended any formal Rotary meetings. However I have been traveling alot to visit other exchange students in Argentina, which has given me the oppurtunity to meet and interact with rotarians outside of my district. The majority of the exchange students I have visited have host parents who are part of their local rotary clubs.
As I stated earlier, for the past month and a half of summer vacation I have been traveling around Argentina to visit other exchangers. This has been very exciting and has allowed me to practice and truly make use of my Spanish. Right now I am on vacation in Chile with my host parents, and i will be here for the next two weeks. I am in good health.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Katelyn Clarke -- France
December 30, 2009
During the beginning of November the vacation days were finishing and everyone was on their way back to school. School started on the first wednesday of the month and so it was a short school week. That weekend there was a Rotary function that the five exchange students in Lannion all had to attend. It was a long night and each of us had to present ourselves in french in front of all the guests which were quite a few, and we also had to present the courses of the menu in french and in our own language. But nevertheless it was a fun night and there was also cultural dances featuring the dances of Bretagne, the United States and India and Spain. It was fun because we got to experience one another's culture through dance.
However, the night didn't end very well because i ended up getting sick from the night, I later figured out that it was angina...So I didn't go to school for 3 days. But when i returned the school was the same as before the vacation. Everything was normal.
I also joined a scouts group, it is a catholic organization that involves community service and camping and things of that sort. It's fun, the people in it are so nice and welcoming and they include me in everything. We have had several meeting to plan our december functions for the scouts. We are going to wrap christmas presents for the poeple who are in a hurry or just don't want to do it themselves. I think that it's going to be fun.
During the beginning of November the vacation days were finishing and everyone was on their way back to school. School started on the first wednesday of the month and so it was a short school week. That weekend there was a Rotary function that the five exchange students in Lannion all had to attend. It was a long night and each of us had to present ourselves in french in front of all the guests which were quite a few, and we also had to present the courses of the menu in french and in our own language. But nevertheless it was a fun night and there was also cultural dances featuring the dances of Bretagne, the United States and India and Spain. It was fun because we got to experience one another's culture through dance.
However, the night didn't end very well because i ended up getting sick from the night, I later figured out that it was angina...So I didn't go to school for 3 days. But when i returned the school was the same as before the vacation. Everything was normal.
I also joined a scouts group, it is a catholic organization that involves community service and camping and things of that sort. It's fun, the people in it are so nice and welcoming and they include me in everything. We have had several meeting to plan our december functions for the scouts. We are going to wrap christmas presents for the poeple who are in a hurry or just don't want to do it themselves. I think that it's going to be fun.
Audrey Sabatini -- Belgium
December 26, 2009
Sponsor Club: Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary
Host Club: Rotary of Andenne (Belgium)
Host Family: the Ancions (Pierre, Marie-Paule, Gilles)
Rotary Meetings: Normally my Rotary Counselour texts me, or e-mails me and tells me if I should attend a Rotary meeting. The last meeting I attended was in November, and I gave a small speach about myself (in French).
Health: I am doing very well!
School: I took two exams this December (as required by the Rotary), and passed both. I took English and Math. My teachers just tell me to continue trying.
I am changing families the 3rd of January. I am excited for the change in atmosphere. The mother and one of the host sisters know a lot of english, so I hope to learn a lot from them. I am required to send an update a week after changing families to my district chairman here, so I will make sure to translate it and send a copy to you as well :)
I hope you had a very wonderful Christmas with your families and have a Happy New Year!!
Sponsor Club: Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary
Host Club: Rotary of Andenne (Belgium)
Host Family: the Ancions (Pierre, Marie-Paule, Gilles)
Rotary Meetings: Normally my Rotary Counselour texts me, or e-mails me and tells me if I should attend a Rotary meeting. The last meeting I attended was in November, and I gave a small speach about myself (in French).
Health: I am doing very well!
School: I took two exams this December (as required by the Rotary), and passed both. I took English and Math. My teachers just tell me to continue trying.
I am changing families the 3rd of January. I am excited for the change in atmosphere. The mother and one of the host sisters know a lot of english, so I hope to learn a lot from them. I am required to send an update a week after changing families to my district chairman here, so I will make sure to translate it and send a copy to you as well :)
I hope you had a very wonderful Christmas with your families and have a Happy New Year!!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ariel Dunster -- Brazil
January 11, 2010
Claudenir and Prescila Couto
Rua Tocantins 77/51
Santos, SP, Brasil
11055-341
Claudenir and Prescila Couto
Rua Tocantins 77/51
Santos, SP, Brasil
11055-341
Summer vacation has been going well. I´ve been at the ocean practically everyday. There´s a group of Brazilians that like to play soccer every morning, so I´ve been hanging out with them a lot. I spent Christmas with my friends family because my host family was traveling, and it was amazing. All of the relatives got together for Christmas. It didn´t really feel like Christmas, but we were constantly in the pool or playing soccer. The Christmas traditions are so different here. We stayed up on Christmas eve and ate dinner at midnight on Christmas morning. Then my friend and I played Santa and Mrs. Claus and we gave the presents to the children of the family.
New Years Eve was a blast as well. The tradition is to wear a new white dress, and luckily I had bought a cheap one a couple days before New Years. I spent the time leading up to New Years with my family. It was a very religious New Years. My host uncle gave a sermon and we sang hymns all night. I enjoyed learning some Portuguese hymns. Then at midnight we went upstairs to watch the fireworks that were going off on the beach. After midnight I went to the beach with my brother and his friends. Everyone goes to the beach on New Years.
As for health, I was diagnosed on New Years with an ear infection, but the doctor prescribed ear drops to me and my ear was better after a week.
My Rotary club had a Christmas barbeque, and that was a lot of fun. The people in my Rotary club are very welcoming of me and always make me feel like part of the group.
Nothing has been going on in school. Summer vacation will be ending soon and school will be starting up in early February.
I´ll also be switching families soon. I´m suprised that I´ve already spent almost 3 months with my second family.
Eliza Chappell -- Spain
January 11, 2010
NAME/ ADDRESS OF HOST FAMILY:
SIMON-MARCOS
CALLE ANDALUCIA 7-4
28007 MADRID, MADRID
ESPANA
HOST CLUB:
ROTARY CLUB MADRID-SERRANO
ROTARY PARTICIPATION:
I have been in contact with my Rotary club.
I have been attending school daily at IES Isabel La Catolica in Madrid and have completed all assignments, projects, and tests.
This past month I experienced my first bout of real homesickness... something I suppose is considered normal during the holidays. I spent my Christmas, New Years, and Reyes Magos with my host family. For New Years, we went to the nearby city of Salamanca to visit relatives, which was absolutely beautiful. I am still loving every minute here.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Eliza Chappell -- Spain
December 13, 2009
HOST CLUB:
ROTARY CLUB MADRID-SERRANO
I attended the Rotary sponsored dinner for "Día de la Acción de Gracias" (Thanksgiving).
I have been attending school daily at IES Isabel La Catolica in Madrid and have completed all assignments, projects, and tests.
There is not much new to say, as I continue with my routine and my life here. I've been trying to take advantage of the cultural offerings in Madrid, so I've recently gone to the nearby city of Segovia (BEAUTIFUL) with another rotary exchange student friend, and I've also been checking out the many museums in Madrid with my spanish friends. Everything is going well with my friends- I have a nice close group as well as many other friends (it's easy to make friends when you're the "famous" American in school with the crazy glasses), and also with the family. We are now starting to try to arrange my USA family's visit to Spain. I must say, I haven't really gotten homesick... of course I'll have my moments, but overall I'm loving every minute of my exchange.
:)
-Eliza Chappell
HOST CLUB:
ROTARY CLUB MADRID-SERRANO
I attended the Rotary sponsored dinner for "Día de la Acción de Gracias" (Thanksgiving).
I have been attending school daily at IES Isabel La Catolica in Madrid and have completed all assignments, projects, and tests.
There is not much new to say, as I continue with my routine and my life here. I've been trying to take advantage of the cultural offerings in Madrid, so I've recently gone to the nearby city of Segovia (BEAUTIFUL) with another rotary exchange student friend, and I've also been checking out the many museums in Madrid with my spanish friends. Everything is going well with my friends- I have a nice close group as well as many other friends (it's easy to make friends when you're the "famous" American in school with the crazy glasses), and also with the family. We are now starting to try to arrange my USA family's visit to Spain. I must say, I haven't really gotten homesick... of course I'll have my moments, but overall I'm loving every minute of my exchange.
:)
-Eliza Chappell
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