August 22 2010, my Canadian experience started when I met the Marshall at Winnipeg’s airport, waiting for a very blue jacket to come through. I remember how frustrated I was; I tried so hard to speak English… So David, my host brother and I found the best deal ever. He had to talk to me in French; I had to reply in English. 10 months later we are still speaking frenglish together and we had both improved a lot from each other. Thanks buddy.
My first day in Dryden High school was so crazy, I was so lost! I couldn’t find my classes because Dryden high school seemed to me to be huge. When I finally got to my leadership class, I couldn’t understand anything, teacher was talking talking and I understood blablabla during one hour an half! So during 3 months I had no idea if I had homework to do or not ! People asked me quite a few times if I wasn’t worried about losing a school year and having to catch up later. I did lose a school year but I’ve gained so much knowledge, no school could ever teach me. I’ve made very good friend. Friendships in an exchange are very different than usual friendships. They become very strong very fast, they introduce you in this new world and they are the ones who make it enjoyable for you.
As quickly as possible I joined the cross country running team. I had few races in Kenora, Thunder Bay or even USA. By the end of December I’ve got to join cheerleading team, practice 3times a week at 7am. Believe it or not I made it!
Neepawa rotary week end orientation came through, Janet and I drove 7hours to get there so it was completely crazy! I guess by then I realized how big is Canada eh! I’ve got to meet the 18 exchanges students from all the district, we had so much fun, sharing our experiences, meeting each other’s and dancing like crazy all night!
Ahahah Chrismas! I haven’t been homesick, and believe it or not, I never had such a nice chrismas. I had a great time with my host family and my Canadian grand parents, I ve got a lot of present, ate so much!!
January and already 4 months in Canada. I met my new host family Peter and Beth keen and my two lovely monsters Ethan and Brena! I had the greatest idea to give them some French candy when I met them. They loved it. By then every single day when they came back home they asked with a big smile on their face “may I have a French candy Maela ? ” ahaha it was so cute.
It is such a crazy and busy life which started for me with a lot of great opportunities. I traveled to Melfort and to The pas for rotary weekends, I went ice climbing and snowboarding in Thunder bay, to the festival du voyageur in Winnipeg, I had an amazing dog sled trip in vermillion bay, plus all those amazing Canadian winter’s activities such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing… All of this Canadian experiences amazed me every time I loved it so much!
In March my dad came over and it’s my Canadian road trip which has been starting with him, Niagara falls, Ottawa, Quebec city, Montreal and ending in Vancouver with my friend Irene from Spain.
By the end of April, I’ve got to move host family again! I went to Mardi and Fred’s. Such an amazing and energetic couple. They are the kind of people who feel up my energy, seriously, all the time doing something or going somewhere, I had so much fun playing volley ball or watching American idol together! Finally I went to my Westertrip, Banff, Jasper, Edmonton such a wonderful trip with all the exchange students.
I have been so lucky for all those trips I made, no camera can truly show the beauty of what I’ve seen.
My exchange taught so many lessons and changed me more than I think.
First, I’ve learned a new language and forgot about my first one. I dream and think in English. This is probably one of the most enjoyable things to understand and to be understood in a foreign language.
This exchange has opened myself over the horizon. I have met new people from all around the world who are really interesting and open. They showed me their culture and their way of thinking. Now I can travel in so many countries where I have friends and places to stay at. I want to travel everywhere, see all those culture differences and keep learning languages. But this year I also get to appreciate the qualities of my own country.
I’ve learned that even though all of those culture differences, differences are just an excuse to start a good conversation and when it comes to things that really matter: love, friendships family we are all same.
I’ve learned that you don’t realize how hard it is to leave until you actually do, and there is no worst feeling than missing someone.
I also learned that family doesn’t always mean having blood laces. Family is sharing, listening and understanding. I consider myself as a pretty lucky person for having more than one family, Peter and Elaine, Peter and Beth, Fred and Mardi, I thank you all so much for everything you’ve done for me.
Last thing and probably one of the most important. I understand myself a way better, my weaknesses, my strengths, my interests and my passions. I’ve been able to live without my parents during one year at 17 years old, in an other country where I had to create my new life. Because of all those experiences and people I met i feel more confident, tolerant and open minded. I’m a different person and I’m happy about this.
The end of a journey is the beginning of another one
In conclusion, I would like to thank all of you, members of Dryden rotary club, my host families, my 2counsolors Peter keen and Janet Pilozow, all the volunteers of the youth exchange program and obviously my family in France. I will carry all those moments, memories, stories with me no matter where I go, I will keep it forever.
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