It was a cold October day in 2011 when she walked out of the interview with the Rotarians praying that they would give her the chance. It had been a long time coming, 2 years of wanting and striving for the opportunity of a lifetime. The next day, the Rotary Club of Calgary South changed her life forever....they chose to sponsor her for the 2012-2013 Rotary Youth Exchange year.
The end.
Actually, the beginning. That's where it all really began.
After that call, it was all anticipation and waiting. Filling out forms and getting paperwork ready. Then, after the new year, everything started going really fast. In late January, we had our first Outbound orientation, where I got to meet all the other kids who will be going on exchange. It was so much fun and really reassuring that I was meeting people who would be going through the ups and downs with me, even if we were spread out all over the world. 2 days later, we found out our countries. It went a little like this:
*hangs up phone*
Mom: So....where to???
Me:...Hungary....
Mom: That's in Europe?
Me:Um...this is awkward...I think so?
*after a couple of hours on google*
Me: YEAH IT'S IN EUROPE AND LOOK AT THE FOOD AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL AND EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE A CASTLE AND THE LANGUAGE LOL GOOD LUCK WITH THAT BUT DID I MENTION THE FOOD.
Om nom nom
So yeah. Even though it was the last place I expected, it's going to be my new home! I'm absolutely psyched to be going to a place with so much beauty and history...and amazing food. The language is going to be SO difficult to learn though...le sad.
Then came the March Weekend. It was an intense 3 days with the outbounds and inbounds where we learned so much about our exchange. We talked about everything and anything that was our exchange, starting with the immediate paperwork and all that fun stuff and ending with anything that could possibly help us while we were abroad. Again, it was amazing to spend time with everyone else. :)
Last week, I received the first direct contact from Hungary! My first host mom e-mailed me and told me that I'll be living in Szeged, in eastern Hungary. She told me a little bit about them and how they will be my first host family. They have a beautiful family with 3 boys! That's gonna be a crazy change from my family where it's just my sister and I, but I'm readyyyy. More to come about them!
Szeged
I hope to be frequently updating, not only to let everyone who wants to know about my exchange in on that little piece of my life, but so I can have something to look back at when I come home.
- Daniela :)
Oh Daniela! Daniela! what a fun thing to do. I love you and can't wait to hear (or read) about your adventure here. Please post as often as you can! Love- Todd, Melly & Ollie =)
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