July 1, 2008

An Exchange Student’s Farewell

Alice Silva, Brazil

Dear Rotarians,

I don't know if anyone has ever asked you what was the most successful thing that you have done in your life so far, but if one day I had to tell someone what was my most successful thing I wouldn't have a hard time choosing it. Since I was a little kid I've always dreamed to be an exchange student. But the world is so big and there are so many places I could go that the question was where to go. United States was my first choice. Do you ask me why? Well, I actually didn't really have an answer for that before this year.

I once was told that when you go somewhere you shouldn't go expecting too much from it. You never know what you are going to find or what's going to happen, but I'm sure no one likes to be disappointed with something. So I came here with no expectations afraid that everything I was dreaming about wouldn't be true. But when I was flying here I couldn't help myself to not think about how my experience was going to be. I swear I was afraid. I was afraid of coming to this place knowing no one. I was going to be a stranger at someone else's house and my job was to make them look at me as part of their family. Hard job? Maybe it sounds like, but not being here in Northbrook. The Doland's, the Mayer's, the Frum's, the Kasperson's, the Hyman's and everyone else in this Rotary Club made me feel so welcome that all my fear was gone right when I got here.

This year I learned a lot about the American culture and people. But there is one thing that really helped on making this year one of the best in my life, and it's called Rotary. I felt so special for being hosted by this club, that hasn't had an exchange student for over 20 years. Coming to the meetings and participating in its activities whenever I could was always a pleasure since I was surrounded by the amazing people that the Rotarians are. You, Rotarians, no matter if you are male or female, 9 or 90 years old, what your ethnicity or religion is or which political party you support, you all believe in the same motto: Service Above Self.

All the other exchange students and I have a goal. We want to promote peace and understanding between all different people and countries. And that's why my program is not over yet. The first part is almost done, when I came to the US to show everyone how my country is like and the people too. The second part of it starts tomorrow, when I'm going back to Brazil to show what I've learned in here. I have so many things in my head that I want to do when I get there and some of them definitely involve Rotary. My parents from Brazil came here and they were just so amazed with all the projects and things that this club has done that I wish that, when I go back, my club from Mococa and my club from Northbrook start a new friendship and make future plans together.

Now I realized why I chose United States and not another country. I wanted to meet and spend time with these wonderful people that I've always heard about. I wanted to see if America was really that beautiful of a country that people say. And you know what I realized? I realized that I could have come with as many expectations as I wanted and I would not have been disappointed by the end of my year. I'm going to miss everyone, but I hope someday I will see you all again, maybe in Brazil or maybe here in Northbrook. I appreciate so much everything you Rotarians did for me and I'll be always thankful for that. I'm not going to say any name because I don't want to miss anyone's. I just can't leave without saying three last words: Thank you all!

Alice R.N.S. Silva