USA-BRAZIL

Brazil is the most beautiful country I have ever visited. Beside that I had the best experience as an exchange student in Paracatu. Since the first time I arrived in .... I knew that all the people there is nice and respect with other people. They brought me a sign say WELCOME HOME, MY SON ! They really treated me like their son. They don't have any kids at all. So when they met me I was like a king. My mom cook really good. The truth I gain weight 10 pounds. I have so much fun outsite and inside school. I was involve in many activities. That way I didn't fell homesick at all during my exchange year. School is harder there. To learn Polish is not that difficult even you really want to learn. I'm lucky I had a friend, which you can say is my best friend since the first day of school. She helps me everything and she always introduced her friends to me. So for me it wasn't hard at all to make friend there. The key is you have to be pastion and try to involve in many activities.

I traveled a lot with school, host-family even with Rotarians. I was very lucky that my real family got a chanced to meet my host-family for a week. That was really nice. We travel together like one big happy family. Every month I sent a postcard or letter to my family. But if you have e-mail that's really helpful. That way I could contact all my family, friends, and fellow exchange student as often as I want.

Being an exchange student is not that easy. You have to introduced your country to everyone. That is your mission. And you also have to make a speech about who you are and why you want to be an exchange student. It seems like an easy job but when you stand up to talk in front of public suddenly you will get nervous and forget what you want to say. It takes time to really get the situation before you talk.

Well, that's my experiences as an exchange student. But don't forget to always keep in touch with your host-family after you finish your year. That kind of relationship you won't get without being an exchange student.

Frederic Williamson

Rotary Exchange Student

1996-1997