August 31, 2012 - a day that permanently changed my life. I left my small town, Ketchikan, Alaska, to start my adventure in Santos, Brazil. I am participating in Rotary International's Youth Exchange Program. This means living for about one year in a foreign country. While in your "host country" you attend school, learn about the culture, pick up another language, and experience memories that will stick with you for life. It is a time to figure who you are and to enjoy the world. I know that this year will present many challenges but also many rewards. There will be times when I am going to wish that I am at home in my rainy city cuddling with my chihuahua Xochi, but this experience has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and no way will I ever give it up. I already know that this year is going to be an intense year but the overall experience will be life-changing and so worth it.
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| The day before I left (8/30), downtown at the welcome sign in my home city |
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| Family photo (8/30) Saying goodbye round #2 |
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| At my going away party, with all my amazing friends |
