The weekend of July 11-Jul 13 was a time for Inbounds, Outbouds, and Rebounds alike to connect and share their hopes, fears, excitement, words of wisdom, and experiences with each other! Of course, let's not forget about the Rotex, other Rotary members, and our dear parents who trekked all the way to Grand Rapids, Michigan to bring us all together here!
I have to admit, I wasn't exactly looking forward to this conference; #1 I wasn't very excited about the 2 & 1/2 hour drive all the way out there, but there were other kids from places like Minnesota so I guess I couldn't complain. And #2 I expected it to be a long and somewhat boring experience filled with lots of talking that ould result in some sleepy head bobbing and heavy eyelids that refused to stay open. But this weekend was anything but! Sure I arived at the conference running on only 1 hour of sleep (literally), but the atmosphere was so uplifting and exciting that I couldn't help but succumb to the infection livelyhood of it all!
That Friday started off with a chaotic game of "Ice Breaker" which forced all of the Inbounds and Outbounds to find people from different countries listed on a little card. Guiltily enough my mom and I opted for unloading the car and carrying our things to our rooms for time's sake since we arrived a little late, but I could see and hear the game going on and afterward heard that it was a lot of fun!
Distric 6540 Members and Rotex
The rest of the weekend consisted of very helpful informational meetings with other Rotarians, our It's Your World Travel agents, and our Host Country Correspondents. There was much to be said and lots of questions from both parents and Outbound students. Probably the most helpful part of the conference was getting to talk to the Rebounds who just recently returned from their exchange countries, that way we were given the inside look at what exchange is really like. They were able to answer the questions and settle the fears that us Outbounds (and parents of Outbounds) had.
More District 6540 students!!
Both nights, Friday and Saturday, the students were able to mingle and party it up at the Hoogenboom Fieldhouse (you probably had the same reaction I first had reading that name...)! For about two hours we were allowed to dance our tails off, indulge in some delicious pizza, and go for a swim in the competition pool! On Saturday during the afternoon, Inbounds, Outbouds, and even some Rebounds took part in the pin exchange! This is where all of the students bring pins that they either bought or made and exchange them with other students from different countries to put on their Rotary Blazers. I can't believe how many pins and cards I collected! It was so much fun and it was even a way to really get to know some of these kids.
My jacket!! <3
This weekend was really such an amazing experience! It has made me so proud to be a part of this amazing Rotary Youth Exchange program. I think I am now finally ready to embark on this next chapter in my life. Leaving behind family and friends for a year will be tough, but I know that I am a strong young woman and I am ready to see the world. Slovakia bound through and through!
Dovidenia na Slovensku!
(See you in Slovakia!)
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