June 10, 2021 -  Exchange Student Reunion

Posted by Editor: FDBobko
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The FOGHORN 
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
June 10, 2021 
  
Exchange Student Reunion 
 
 
 
 
Article by Susan Kealey
Photos by Liz Schuck
 
Our exchange students (with a brief update) in attendance were:

Giada Perrero—has finished high school and is trying to get into medical school. If med school doesn’t work out, she will pursue becoming a therapist. Planning to visit her Mom in the Netherlands next week now that travel has loosened up. 

Anne Sofia (Fie) Kristensen Bundgaard— is in Norway. She is a year away from finishing her Masters in Economics. She will go to Copenhagen. 

Laura Ludwig—went to Brazil in 2019-20. She is studying medicine.

Caroline Gossart—2016-17 from Belgium. She is in her last year of her Bachelors, on her way to Medical School, she is half way through and has started her first internship. 

Giuseppe Mazzarosa—2011-12, from Italy. He is attending university in Milan and is studying engineering. 

Lukas Kruse—2018-19, Germany. He is still in high school and is planning an exchange to Japan. 

Rafael Mataix-Jimenez,  -- 2017-18, from Spain. He is studying electrical engineering and trying to finish his commercial pilot course. He caught COVID which was a setback, but is moving forward. 

Camryn DuBose—went to Italy in 2018. She is attending the University of Hawaii. 

Aya Holcomb—went to Chile in 2019-20 and is now attending school in New York. 

Kitty Perslweig—went to France in 2017-18. She is attending Loyola University in New Orleans. She is a residence assistant and working at a snowball stand. 

Maurice Van Daele—Belgium, 2019-20. 

Micah Warner-Carey—went to Belgium in 2019-20. Now at the University of Oregon studying global studies and health. 

Courtney Sullivan-Wu—from San Mateo, went to Italy in 2019-20. She’s finished her first year at Northwestern and is studying theater and engineering. 

Andrea Ordonez—came here from Ecuador in 2008-09. She now lives in Dubai and is currently visiting her family in Ecuador. She mentioned that UAE Expo 2020 will be held in October. There has been a big push to get the population vaccinated. Kevin asked about her family—all is well, she has a new niece, her dad had surgery and is doing well. Her parents joined the call to say hello. 
 
 
 
 
We had three questions for our exchange students, here are the questions and consolidated responses to them: 
 
•How has the exchange changed your life?
 
Meeting new people is easier. They are much more confident and adaptable. 
Experiencing a new lifestyle and culture forced them to be open to new things. 
They are more mature. 
 
•How might your exchange experience be carried into your adult life?  
 
A couple of participants changed their college plans and choose different majors post exchange. 
Some felt they are now more resilient and evolved. 
Learned to create opportunities, not afraid to ask, more ambitious. 
They now have international friends and family as a result of the exchange. 
 
 
•What was your image of California before and what is it now?   
 
The fog was a surprise. They expected sunny California. 
Imagined it would be like the movies with cheerleaders, football and cliques. Not like Europe. 
The diversity in politics and culture is different. It was nice to experience the diversity of the Bay Area. 
People here are not as friendly as some other cultures, necessitating making the first move. 
 
All of our participants mentioned the challenges with language and culture. 
The deep connection with host families was also a common thread. 
 
We also had some feedback from host families. As a host mom, Ginger watched Valentina struggle and then begin to grow. She will see her in a few months. Steve reminisced about the New Years Eve party/adventure. 
 
The consensus was that this was a great idea!  Let’s do it annually. 
 
 
Club Meeting - June 10, 2021
 
 
Pledge of Allegiance -  Ginger started us off with the Pledge. 
 
Inspirational Thought -  Steve shared an inspirational quote. 
Guests - 
In addition to our exchange student guests of honor, we also welcomed Jane Hall, District Youth Exchange; Rick Chin, Assistant District Governor; Laurence Hufse, Caroline’s Mom and Exchange Coordinator in Belgium; Mary and Bill Cochran, now living in Reno (our loss was the Reno Club’s gain). 

Happy/Crappy News yescrying

Mary reminded us that our club is 50 years old this year. We are having a celebration at the HMB Brew Pub next week.                                               

Announcements

Ginger needs sign-ups for Abundant Grace lunches. 

Marble Draw  sad surprise  ??????
 
 
 
PHOTO GALLERY