Areas of Service - Our Students

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From Daniel Lovik, Norway, November 2009   It's me, Daniel, writing from the cold Norway. My time here has been getting better because I've been realizing some important things. I've began to fully realize the weight of the phrase that was repeated to us exchange students so many times, "adapt of fail." It's something that you can only appreciate when you are faced with true difficulties, but something that can be easily overcame by adapting. I think I am learning to act accordingly.      I have been on many small trips- Blåfjell, the west and east mountain tops of Vealøs, and Lifjell, to name a few. All the trips I take are so beautiful and I love them. My legs are often tired from the several hour hikes.      A week ago I participated in a running race up one the mountains of Vealøs. At the bottom of the mountain, before the race started, I spoke with a Norwegian man and it turned out he was from the Varden newspaper. We had a small conversation, said our goodbyes and 40 min later when I had finished the race I saw him again at the top and he interviewed me for the newspaper. On Monday my picture and what I had said were in Bamble's largest newspaper for all to see! It is neat to contemplate being in a newspaper in another country.       Recently another real exciting thing for me happened. I have been painting with a painting club in the small coastal town of Langesund. The måleklubben, or painting club, was going to have an exhibition at the Bro-Torvet mall; I was really grateful and excited that they were going to let me enter some of my pieces in their exhibition. But that's not the best part... The exhibition has been on display for half a week and to my great surprise one of my paintings actually sold! For doing something that I love to do, I am know $150 dollars richer and that's a really accomplished feeling.       Things have been going well. I am going to change host families in two days and I am glad for the change. My next family is very nice and caring which suits me much better. I don't want to use my Norwegian time to write very much more, but other good things are happening as well.         Back in America it's that time for college applications so I've been trying to balance the completing of those with my other activities. It's been somewhat complicated having not taken all my academic information with me half-way across the world, but my mom has been doing a great deal to help me out despite her busy schedule. Until my next update...  Ha det bra, Daniel Lovik
From Zoe Kirkpatrick, October 2009   “Hola mis amigos!  So… just got back from Manabi yesterday.  That was both really fun and really disappointing.  It was great to be with all the exchange students from all over Ecuador.  There were about 136 of us there.  I met so many great people, and it’s kind of sad that I won’t get to see them again until the end of the year.  It was so nice to go swimming in the ocean and just be in the sun- even if it did burn the crap out of my skin.  Yeah, the sun is a little stronger here on the equator.  Haha.  Also, I got stung really badly by a jellyfish.  It got me all over my thigh, my ankle, and my wrist- and, because I’m stupid, I wiped the water off my face, thus stinging that as well.  It hurt a lot, but it’s pretty cool, because you can see the tentacle marks on my leg.  Mat, a guy from France, said it looked like the jellyfish gave me a hug, which I thought was cute and funny, but that was not a very enjoyable hug. And I think I had an allergic reaction to it, because the next day it was all swollen and red.  My leg looked really gross and deformed.  A doctor came and gave me some anti-allergy pills to take and a cream to put on the sting, and the swelling went down.  Everyone agreed that I was pretty barsk for taking such a huge jellyfish sting.  I was actually pretty proud of it. Haha. One morning on the trip, all the students who were willing to get up at 5:00 am, walked down the beach to watch a Faena de Recibir Pescado en la playa.  There were a ton of fishing boats and people running back and forth from the boats to the beach with big buckets of fish, and on the beach there were people working at these big, long tables cleaning and gutting the fish.  There were hungry dogs everywhere  picking up the fish that fell on the ground, and so many birds flying around, I felt like I was in an Alfred Hitchcock scene.  The birds kept swooping down and stealing fish from the buckets that the people were running up the beach.  It was kind of funny.  My friend, Friedrich found a fish on the ground, so he threw it up in the air, and a bird caught it.  It was pretty cool. After spending 3 nights on the beach in Crucita, we went to stay 1 night in Portoviejo.  There, we had a little mini-parade, riding around in these double-decker buses (and by double-decker, I mean that the roof had a little fence all around it so we could sit up there), and then we had a big dinner and dance and elected a King and Queen of the evening.  It was a good time, but no one got a whole lot of sleep. The part that was disappointing was how badly the rotary club in charge treated us.  The communication between them and us students was horrible, and they usually blamed us for their bad organization and communication.  They also were never friendly or talkative with us when we would see them around the hotel or at meals, and it was such a surprise after the Spanish Camp, where the rotarians were all super nice.  I’m sure it must be hard to deal with 136 teenagers, but we are all pretty good kids, and they didn’t show us an ounce of respect the whole time.  It was just a bummer to have such a dark cloud over such a fun trip that everyone was looking forward to so much.   Hopefully the next rotary trips will be better. So I didn’t go to school today because I was so tired and sunburned from the trip.  I slept until 3:00 today, and I went to bed around 9:00 last night.  So hopefully I’ll be all ready for the torture I have to endure tomorrow!  Apparently our class has prepared a Bautizo a las Nuevas (baptism of the new girls).  I was told to bring clothes I can get dirty in, but that’s about all I know.  I’m a little scared, but hopefully it’ll be fun.  Saturday, I’m going to spend the day exploring Quito with Hayley and some other exchange students, and Sunday, my family is taking me to a Corrido de Toros.  I’m excited!  Until next time, besitos! Chao!” -Zoe
Hola! Wow, it's been a month! That's pretty crazy. I am loving Ecuador!!! The people are nice, the views are beautiful, and the food is absolutely amazing!  When I first got here, I thought I would be so homesick, but I already feel so at home here! I will say, though that my first night here I felt more lonely than I ever have in my life, but all that went away in the morning, and it hasn't returned since.  On the plane ride from Miami, I was sitting next to another Rotary student, and as we got close to landing we both started freaking out. It was so funny. We were looking out the window at Quito, saying, "Oh my God we're going to be there for a whole year!!!" We were so scared.  But now we're both very happy here. It's pretty hard not to be. My family made me feel very welcome right from the start. The day after I got here we went to Mitad del Mundo (the equator), and I conveniently forgot my camera (Luckily for me I'll be going there again on one of the Rotary trips), and the day after that we went birdwatching somewhere on Pichincha. The birds here are beautiful. The different kinds of hummingbirds alone could keep me fascinated all year long. My friends here tease me because they'll catch me zoning out all the time watching the birds. I could do it all day. I think maybe that's how I make up for not having any pets. I miss my cats!!! It's so weird to live in a house with no pets whatsoever. It's so quiet and empty at night. I actually miss my big smelly dog waking me up to go out in the middle of the night. But I'm getting used to it. Whenever we go to someone else's house, I am all over their pets. Haha. Speaking of animals, I got to go horseback riding a while ago for the first time in a very long time. It was really fun once the horse decided to be nice and listen to me. My host-mom's brother took me and my brother to a horse school where he does bullfighting. I'm looking forward to seeing a bullfight one of these days, but only because he told me they no longer kill the bulls. I don't think i could handle watching it if they did.  We had our Spanish Orientation camp about a week after I got here. That was really cool. There were about 30 exchange students there, all from the Quito area. Most of them were from either Germany or the U.S., and there were about 8 from other countries. Everyone got along really well together, and we had tons of fun. Every day we had group Spanish classes, and at the end of the week, each group had to do a skit in Spanish. It was hilarious (and yes, there is a video on facebook). I can't wait until the next Rotary get-together. Manavi beach trip!!! My mom took me to el mercado artesanal (artisan market) a while ago, and it was so cool.  I am definitely going to spend a lot of money there this year.  They sell some pretty amazing jewelry and things.  I am also definitely going to gain weight here. I've always said that would happen, because all the exchange students do, but now I know it's definitely true. I eat so much here, and it's all so different and delicious! Oh well, it's good enough that it's worth a few extra pounds- as long as I don't get to big for my school uniform. Haha. School here = a headache a day. It's really hard, and not even just the fact that it's all in Spanish. I have to take Calculus, and I pretty much fail at math, and things like Biology and Chemistry I am struggling to remember, and Physics....yeah. Plus, it's really hard to concentrate and pay attention in class, because the students are so...rude, I guess. They will constantly talk and walk around in class while the teachers are lecturing. It's very different from school at home. I'm glad this year doesn't really count for me, but I am also kind of glad to have it as a refresher before I start college. It's funny: before I started school, I was so excited because I was getting really bored at home with no friends, but now that it's started, I'm so over it. But I did make friends there, and everyone in my class is really nice to me.  I think that pretty much covers it (and by that, I mean it doesn't even begin to cover it, but I am pretty much just rambling on). I still haven't been to a rotary meeting, but hopefully I will get to one soon (in Ecuadorian time, who knows when soon will be). I have met my counselor, and he's really nice. His name is Jurgen. He's German, and he runs a tourism business that does Galapagos tours. He's been really busy with work lately, because he's building a ship in Guayaquil. I think I might et to go to Guayaquil with him sometime to see it when it's done. That would be cool. I hope you all are doing well, and that all the inbounds there are enjoying themselves! Until next month! Chao! *kiss on the cheek* (yeah that tradition is definitely coming home with me.)   -Zoe Kirkpatrick
I just wanted to let everyone know that I made it safely and I am having  really good time.  My family is super nice and very patient with my slow Spanish.  Today  we visited the Mitad  del Mundo (the equator) and we visited my host mom's brother and mother.  Her brother raises chickens and guinea pigs (they eat guinea pigs here) and i got to help feed them.  It was nice to be with some animals.  I've only spent one night here, but I already miss my pets like crazy.  It's so weird to go from practically living in a zoo, to having no animals in the house at all.  Other than that everything is pretty great.  I haven't even had any stomach problems yet, and i had fresh fruit for breakfast! Tomorrow I am going somewhere on the other side of Pichincha to go birdwatching, and Monday I'll go visit my school and get my uniform.  Well, I'm sure I'll have much more exciting news later.  I can't wait to share it all with you. lots of love, Zoë Kirkpatrick P.S. One exciting accomplishment: I learned how to play Risk being taught in Spanish! Haha. Also, if you haven't gotten it from me yet, my blog is at http://zoecuador.wordpress.com
Alexandra Villacis, our inbound youth exchange student from Equador, arrived on July 27th. She is seen here attending her first VBR meeting with President Matt and her three host "dads", Sam, Mark and Greg.
	Daniel Lovik, our 2009 - 2010 Outbound Student Heading to Norway in August 09.
Daniel writes to thanks us for supporting him in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.

Sheila Cerda, our 2008 - 2009 outbound student in her village of Flayosc, France.   Sheila is now back home in Visalia finishing her senior year at MWHS,,,   welcome home Sheila…. J

I remember my first day of school. I was lost, scared, and didn't understand a single word that anyone was saying! I remember thinking, "There is no way I am still on Earth, They done shipped me to another UNIVERSE" No matter what question a teacher, parent, rotary member, or student asked me. I could only answer. “OK”

"What's your name?"

"OK"

"Where do you come from?"

"ok"

"hmm... Do you speak any french?"

"OK"

And once I graduated from OK I learned "Oui"

"What's your name?"

"Oui"

etc

 I remember thinking. "Oh my god, I'm never going to understand a word anyone is saying. Im going to go back to America in 10 months and Peter Golombeck is going to KILL ME for not learning a thing! They all speak so fast. It sounds like hibber jibbish!" But after a few months, I got the hang of things. I was able to put together small sentence. And well, here I am today, Still Alive. lol

My time here in France has been indescribable, amazing, incredible, and magical. I've visited so many places. Germany, Austria, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, and was recently in Sweden for a week to visit our inbound from last year Tove Zander. She says Hi and sends her love to everyone, she also is planning on coming back to visit next summer. I've traveled more in my time here then I have ever traveled in my whole life. I've made so many wonderful memories, and met great people here. I've had some good times and some bad.

But I can honestly say that this year has been the best year of my life. This year has most deffinately been a blessing, and I owe everything to Rotary. Thank you Rotary. Well im going to cut this short, i want to shave stuff since will be seeing you all very soon, and giving my big presentation. I just thought id give a quick hello and let you know im coming home JUNE 3RD!!!!! Whoooooot Next Wedsnday!

See ya soon

Sheila

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March 12, 2009

Hello Again,

Well 3 months left on the count down! Time does really go by so fast. sighh.. So this last month was pretty okay.
I was on vacation so that was pretty neat. Vacation in February? Lol I spent the first week in Nice for the Mardi Gras Festival. During the day I visited small villeges near Nice and at night i went to the Festival. It was actually a really great experience and its NOTHING like we think Mardi Gras is in America. Here the idea is to dress up as silly as you can (while still keeping a theme) and get completly covered in silly string!! The second week I was in St.Tropez with my faimly and visited Antibes with my sister. I am really excited for this month though, next week I have a get together in Cannes avec the Rotary exchange students. I haven't been to Cannes yet so I am stoked!! And the weekend after is our Big District Confrence with all 400 exchange Students!!!! I am so HAPPY to finally be able to do stuff with the other students I haven't really done anything with them yet!! Rotary just well isn't as great here as it is back home. Then next month in April is the big Euro Trip so im realllyy really really excited!!! School, Friends and Family here are all same ol same ol doing okay. As for me well you all know last month was a hard month for me I was really home sick, but I started getting better. I've been able to sleep alot better at night and my eczema finally is starting to go away. So I guess things are lookin up, but then I talked to my mom. And she told me she was pretty sick and had pneumonia, so of course now I am stressing she assures me that she is better now and everything is okay. But I am still really worried. Then my dad calls me today and told me that my baby (my dog Kota he was an alaskan malamute Huskie) Died and they burried him on Sunday. :( So now I am super sad again. I loved my dog so much! He was the most amazing smartest coolest dogs ever! And they are so rare to find! So if anyone knows where I can get another one please let me know! I feel like soo...empty I've had so much problems going on back home and to top it off I've had an Aunt, Uncle, and Dog both die. But hey I guess something bad always comes out of something good and what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. So I am just going to try and keep my head up and enjoy the remainder of my time here before its gone.. And theres no going back. Well thats it I guess for this month. Promise next month will be more exciting!
Chao
Bisous

Sheila

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September 20, 2008

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August 20, 2008