Since my senior year of high school, which I spent as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Curicó, Chile back in 2009-2010, I have developed a strong interest in learning about other cultures and languages as well as traveling and seeing things I haven't seen before. As I am graduating in December, I considered staying in Ann Arbor during the next semester to enjoy not having classes before starting full time work. In the end I decided to take advantage of the last time I will have this much free time for a while to learn something new and challenge myself to expand my horizons.
In just a few weeks I will be leaving the US and heading to Santiago, Chile. I will stay for about a month and then head to Curitiba, Brasil to take part in the Rotary New Generations Exchange program before coming back to the US for graduation ceremonies for my university.
There are just a few papers, exams, a visa application process and Christmas festivities between me and a new adventure in South America. I can't wait to get to Chile. I will visit my host families, best friends and counselor from my Rotary Youth Exchange. I am also incredibly excited to go to Brasil. I can't wait to meet my new host family, learn portuguese, get to know the city and learn more about the culture and business practices in southern Brasil.
I would like to thank the Rotary Club of Fort Gratiot, Michigan and Rotary District 6330 for sponsoring my New Generations exchange! I would also like to thank my host family, counselor, and the Rotary Club of Curitiba- Cidade Ecológica and Rotary District 4730 for hosting me on this exchange! Most importantly, I would like to thank my family for supporting me as I choose to take part in this program. I am sure it is hard to have me across the world.
If you are interested in following my travels and experiences with Rotary, be sure to follow my blog as I will make sure to update it throughout my time abroad.
