ROTEX Student and Parent Quotes

Why We Do Youth Exchange - (Quotes from student and parent email) 

I just want to take this time to tell you what a wonderful time I had in Japan. As you know I went to visit and return home with Hanif. The host families that took care of my son were some of the most loving, caring, sweetest people that I have ever met in my entire life. They treated Hanif just like one of their own children. They treated me as if I were an old friend that they had known for years. I just find it hard to express how good this has made me feel. The people in Japan are some of the most warm and caring people that I have ever met. I just loved everything even the sushi. The host families treated me so very, very good. They made me feel like royalty. — Muslimah Suluki, Mom of exchange student Hanif (1999-2000 — Montclair) 

School is officially out for all of I-San, and I have been doing a lot of day-trips with my friends. On the last day of school, we did the same types of things that we do at home on the US; signing "Friendship Books"- there are no yearbooks, singing school uniforms, and basically hanging out and crying. There was basically a big party, and no one in the senior class went to class. There was a band, and whatnot as well. Then, the thinking of my senior friends going off to college and Uni led to the thoughts about me going back to America, and we were all in Tears. It is 4 months away, but I get choked up about it with every chance that I get. I have reached the point where I can say that my Thai is basically fluent, and I can read and write as well. The only difficulty that we exchangers are finding is speaking English. — Kathleen Granger exchange student to Thailand (1998-99 — Montclair)

Throughout this month, I went to three Rotary activities/ meetings. On the 12th, I went to Hannover with my Rotary to see a "Varietee im GOP", which was a combination of a cabaret and comedy show. On the 14th, I went to the Rotary meeting and met the district governor. There was a private meeting before the normal one for all the top people, like the president, past president, etc. with the district governor and I was able to sit in on it. It was very interesting to see what they talked about and how they all expressed their different point of views. On the 14th, I went to see a presentation given by an Australian friend of mine of his year in Germany at the Rotary Club in Braunschweig. That was somewhat funny although also different because his Rotary is a lot more formal than mine. — Diana Cardenas exchange student in Germany (1998-99 — Morristown)

Well, here I am again, back in my city, with my family after an incredible 3 weeks of traveling around southern Argentina with 50 other exchange students--yup, my rotary tour. IT was indescribably amazing!! We went to about 5 other cities, each beautiful and slightly different in their own ways. . . . This trip was the experience of a lifetime! We saw some of the most amazing things, all worth more than anyone could imagine, from simple sunrises at the beach, to leaping whales within reach of your boat, to walks into glaciers, and star-gazing from the "end of the world". We went out to one of Argentina's best boliches(dance club I guess you would call it) and saw the light house that signifies the most southern point. We went to about 14 different national parks, and saw 2000+ year old trees on Victoria Island. And of course we had a party and ceremony for the "oldies" who were the exchange students who's year was from January to January. We made the most of our time, and had fun to prove it. There's nothing that can come close to what this trip was like it seems.-- "Buenisimo"-the one word you can see all of us use to describe it here when people ask how it went or what it was like, but it goes so much deeper. — Amanda Abbiate exchange student to Argentina (1998-99 — Blairstown)

Well, the last couple of weeks have been neat. The Rotary Club 4620 attended its third annual conference in Aguas De Sao Pedro(Waters of Saint Peter's). I stayed in this really fancy hotel. I felt like I was in the movie "Titanic". It was really nice. People with fancy clothes and fancy food. I met 2 of my friends in the conference. Its was nice. We talked about our experience in the meetings to the clubs of Rotaract and Interact. There was about 100 clubs in the conference.  After that week was over, I went to a field trip with my class to Sao Paulo. — George Pelayo exchange student Brazil (1998-99 — Dover)

I really love Hungary and will definitely be going back sometime!! Maybe even for University.. I made a lifetime of friends.. I am so glad that I was chosen to be an ambassador for USA and I think I made a good impression since some Hungarians had the wrong thoughts about our country.. I would like to thank the rotary for giving me this wonderful opportunity.. Words can't express my gratitude.. I have lots of different perspectives now, and think of the world and other cultures in a different view.. I often hear people say this place or that place is better, but what they really should be saying is its different... Every country is different in its own unique ways.. I know the geography of Europe really well and can at least say one big city in each country... — Victoria Uychich exchange student Hungary (1999-2000 — Blairstown)

I WENT TO NEPAL FOR A WEEK! it was so exciting. I went with about five teacher and twenty kids. went spent most of our time in Pokahara. The mountains were unbelievable. it was one of the best views I had ever seen with my own eyes. For one day we were split into groups to stay at a host family. I was lucky b/c I could easily communicate with the family. So my teacher gave me two Japanese students that couldn't speak English that well so I would have to translate.It was my first time being the only person that could speak both languages.So I did my best and translated all night. And my friends still tried their best to speak English….. To tell you the truth, I really don't want to come home now. I'm having too much fun! my mother will be coming to visit maybe in June, so I can't wait for that! she is going to be shocked to see me speak Japanese. — Hanif Suluki exchange student to Japan (1999-2000 — Montclair)

it´s exactly one month since I´ve been here. I´ve loved every minute of it. I feel more and more comfortable each day. I just started my fourth week of school today. . . . down here I actually like going to school. It´s a lot different. I thought that school would be a lot easier but it´s actually really really hard here. . . . I am so grateful for this year, you most likely won't be able to understand. It has helped me so much. …it would still be worth it to the last minute if I had to repeat the year. . . . I want you to know that I am very thankful for all you have done for me. — Justin Lyons exchange student to Venezuela (1999-2000 — Mountain Lakes)

I also got the opportunity to RIDE AN ELEPHANT!!!! I rode one for about 1/2 an hour w/ one of my friends and I got tons of pictures!! MY DREAM CAME TRUE!!!!! Wow, drams do come true!! ("Pinocchio theme plays in the background) Hehe!!  Also, there is a orientation in March and I have been selected to "represent" America. I will be there to welcome some new x-change students! What a honor! — Danielle Gagne' exchange student to Thailand (1999-2000 — Belvidere)

When the trip ended, I came back home to Bourges. On the afternoon that I returned, the biggest festival of the year in Bourges began. It is called the Printemps of Bourges. The festival consists of over a hundred of musical artists that perform allover the town. It is five days long and it goes on night and day. I went to four concerts. At one concert, the Prime Minister of France made an appearance.. . . Overall, it was definitely worth it to have been here in France for a year. I learned to master the language and I was able to see another country, its customs, and the people. Bourges might not be the most exciting town in the world, but I have enjoyed my year here and I'm trying to make the best of the few weeks I have left. — Kenneth Cardenas exchange student to France (1999-2000 — Morristown