Category: How RYE Changed Me

How RYE Changed Me – Samy – Switzerland

From Samy who spent the year in Switzerland I left the United States crying my eyes out, hugging my family, and wondering, in the clearest of words: “What have I gotten myself into this time?” I did not know, at that teary-eyed, made-for-tv-moment, that I had gotten myself into the change of my life. I

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How RYE Changed Me – Mia – Germany

From Mia who spent a year in Germany “Things aren’t better or worse, they are just different.” This sentence affected me the most during my exchange year. This year changed the way I think about myself, and my comparison to others. I learned a lot about myself. In my letter about myself, I essentially said

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How RYE Changed Me – Jacqui – France

From Jacqui who spent the year in France I find it next to impossible to explain the changes I have found in myself as a result of this year. I have grown so much – mentally – and, unfortunately, physically. I am much more patient, confident, and independent. I arrived in France as a very

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How RYE Changed Me – Ellen – Brazil

From Ellen who spent a year in Brazil My Youth Exchange experience has changed me in many ways. Some of these changes I anticipated, but most I could never have imagined. Most obviously, I have learned another language and learned about another culture. This has been important to me, but it only scratches the surface

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How RYE Changed Me – Diana – Japan

From Diana who spent the year in Japan As a Rotary Youth Exchange student I have experienced many changes in myself and in how I think and view the world. Developing the ability to see from other point of view, accepting that there are things that I cannot control, having a more mild temperament, and

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How RYE Changed Me – Claire – Belgium

From Claire who spent the year in Belgium My exchange year has been challenging, fun, enlightening, frustrating, shocking and interesting. For instance, I’ve learned that the bus will turn around and take you back to your bus stop if you didn’t recognize your bus stop to ring the bell in time. Also that singing in

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How RYE Changed Me – Anne – Germany

From Anne who spent the year in Germany I think back on the person I was when I arrived in this country and, well, I don’t cringe, but I do feel like that girl is a different person than the person who I know myself to be today. And then I reflect: what is it

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How RYE Changed Me – Anna – Ecuador

From Anna who spent the year in Ecuador I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I applied to the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, no idea that this year would be so life changing, no idea how hard I would have to work, and, finally, no idea how heartbreaking it would be

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