My Life as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student

Winston Churchill once quoted ¨ to improve means to change ¨. This is how my journey started , with the desire to change ,To be better and most importantly ,to experience more to life . 

Rotary youth exchange during the Coronavirus pandemic certainly hasn’t been a “normal” exchange and it definitely has not been an easy one. I was fortunate to have experienced at least 2 months of “normal life” on exchange and Ski-Week before Coronavirus containment measures came into effect and we went into the first lockdown…

This year has had many ups and down, there have been many experiences that me and many other students sadly missed out on. Despite that this year has been amazing, I have learnt many new things and seen some amazing sights, from castles, Slovak culture, buildings, churches, and views from mountain tops. Some of my most cherished memories are those spent with friends and family…

One of my favourite places I got to visit was Pardubice in the Czech Republic. My second hostfamily took me there to visit their friends and to see Friendsfest. Their friend’s house was wherewe stayed for the next 2 nights. It was a great time talking in Slovak and them in Czech justenjoying being with each other…

So what has my quarantine been like. Well during my quarantine I have done garden (backyard) work with mainly my host brother. We have done painting (for 3 days straight), sanding, scraping old paint, floorball messing about in the backyard and just some more little bits and pieces here and there…

One day, my host parents, Mia, and I went on a hike in the Low Tatras, or better known as Slovak Paradise. We hiked to Tomášovský Výhľad, which is at an elevation of 680m. It took about 45 minutes to get up, so fairly short. And the view at the top was like no other! …

And finally, thank you Slovakia– Slovensko— Slovenská Republika. You are the epitome of a hidden gem in this world, and a perfect example of how some of the best people and places can be found where most would never expect. You are a tiny country with a massive heart, one which I’ve now added my own to. From your stunning mountains, you gorgeous cliffsides, to your rolling Moravian plains and ancient cities and villages, to your long and unique history and deep-rooted culture (and your perhaps a tad over-complicated, but genuinely beautiful language). It was an absolute joy discovering all of it, and I’m so grateful to be able to come out of my exchange calling myself a Slovak-Canadian. I will always be proud to say the first country I ever went to outside of Canada was Slovakia, my land of discovery, my second home, my own hidden gem. Slovensko, milujem ťa, a už mi chybáš ❤️…

I’m so happy I was able to celebrate Easter and go on some really nice hikes with this host family. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to stay with them and go on the amazing trips they took me on and things I learned with them…

We then tried the chicken and waffles. I first showed them how to prepare the chicken and waffles, and then invited them to try. Not everyone who was there tried the chicken and waffles, but that’s understandable. I was very surprised that a few of them did try, and I was even more surprised that they said that it was “weird but good.”..

So, I guess we’ve reached the end. Thank you all for following my adventures in Czechia this year! I’m so disappointed that things had to end this way, but that doesn’t take anything away from the amazing seven months I had. I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything in the world! …