USA-BELGIUM

Exchange Student .... That is the word that reminded me of my excellent year in Belgium. I had so much fun and make lots of new friends. I will share my experience during my exchange year with you. First, I was worried about the people overall. I heard that some countries in Europe are a little bit racist and I am Chinese. So on the way to Brussels, I kept thinking will they like me or not. Another thing that worried me was my family. Will I stand living far away from my family or not? There are so many questions in my mind but I still decided to be an exchange student. My mom called me almost everyday. I sent letters or postcards to her once a month. I also liked to look at pictures that I brought with me. To keep me busy, I always do something together with my host-family. That way I don't feel homesick that much. In here, I only lived with my mom and I'm the only child. So living with a complete family was a new experience for me. I love it !! I have a brother and a sister. I hate the food. It was terrible. I missed American food so bad, that my host-sister always brought me Mc Donald after school. In Belgium, I went to a private school, so I do not really know the different between school in America and in Belgium. Making friends for me was hard but my host-sisters introduced me to her friends that way they are my friends too. Having a host-sister or brother sometimes make easier. I had the best experience in Belgium. I won't forget it the rest of my life. Even though I lost one year high school but I had stories to tell all my friends here. Exchange student definitely changes my life. "Be an exchange student if you can !"

Jerry Thompson

Rotary Exchange Student

1995-1996