Posted: Jan 17, 2017
Wow!
6 years since, I did my exchange in Brazil and it still feels like
yesterday. In these 6 years I haven't been as active in the rotary
community as I would have like to have been, but I will NEVER forget the
opportunity Rotary gave me, and continues to give me as I continue to
develop and strengthen my relationships with friends and family I met
across the world.
I recently travelled throughout Scandanavia and Eastern Europe (yep, visiting my exchange friends, who are the
best kind of friends). When I was in Copenhagen, heading to Helsinki, I
saw two blonde haired, blue eyes girls with BLAZERS...yes, the easy to
recognize from 1000km away blazers. I went up to them and, like a high
school girl, jumped up and down squeeling about my exchange year. One
had been in WA and one in NSW and they were so excited to be heading
home, but so sad (oh my gosh I remember ALL those feelings!!!!). I cried
and said that they have no idea how important their year had been, and
no idea how important it will continue to be for the rest of their
lives.
Despite learning a
new language, travelling to many new places, meeting new people, eating
new foods and experiencing a whole new world, you also grow in yourself.
For everyone, this personal growth is different. But for me, it helped
me build confidence and understand a little bit more about myself and my
inner-strength.
My mum and the Rotary club of Boonah, QLD and
the Rotary club of Jandira, Sao Paulo, Brazil, helped me make memories
and friendships that I will be eternally grateful for.