Hosting a Rotary exchange student is not always easy, but it is always rewarding, according to Diane and Martin Holland. The same year their daughter Lara, who was 16 at the time, went to Italy as part of the Rotary Youth exchange, they hosted a student from Italy. Since that time they have hosted Nicolas Alvarado from Chile, and now Fabiana Leandro, from Marguerita, Venezuela is in their home.
"Fabiana is the best yet. If you could model the perfect exchange student Fabiana is it. She doesn't wait for people to come to her. In the 2200 student body at Norman North she approaches people and takes the initiative. That's hard to do, but it makes the exchange experience so much better," said Martin.
"When considering hosting a student people often worry about feeding them and delivering them to school and activites. That takes care of itself. We worry if our student is not happy. The first couple of weeks can be tough; new places, news people and a new language," said Martin.
"Everyone in Norman is different. They are a mix. They look different and dress different. At home most people look about the same," said Fabiana.
In Venezuela Fabiana lives with her parents, a sister and grandma. She has finished high school and will start college when she returns home. At North she is taking English, American history, algebra II, choir, media and Spanish.
"My own language is more difficult than I expected because the sentence structure here is difficult to translate," she said.
"I have always wanted to do an exchange. I learned about the Rotary program from a friend of my father who is a Rotarian. I would tell anyone who is considering an exchange to keep an open mind. You have to adapt and develop relationships," she said.
The Hollands' third child is still at home. Kaitie, who is a student at Norman North, said you have to learn to share the television and the computer. She drives Fabiana to school one morning a week. Most days, because the girls participate in different activities, Fabiana takes the school bus.
"The location of our home works well because Fabiana can walk in the neighborhood. She can walk to the drug store, Starbucks, the gym, and other places at Brookhaven Village. That's helpful because both Martin and I work during the day," said Diane.
"Fabiana is taking a Zumba class at the gym. That's a South American dance-exercise form that she's never heard of, but she really likes it," said Diane.
The Hollands agree that though there is no language requirement, some knowledge of the language in the host country is a good idea. Their daughter Lara wanted to go to Italy but had studied only French before she boarded the plane for northern Italy. She found it frightening sitting in the back of the classroom with everyone in the school and whole town speaking only Italian.
"Lara learned Italian and still is fluent in the language," said Martin.
"Rotary has built in some safety nets to help the students and the host families make the most of their experience," said Jaci Williams, district coordinator.
Each Rotary Youth Exchange student lives with three different host families during the year. That broadens the experience, according to Jaci. They also have a Rotarian who serves as their counselor and they attend weekly Rotary meetings. The exchange student knows the names and something about their host families before they leave home.
"Facebook is great. We exchanged questions and pictures with Fabiana before she arrived in Norman," said Diane.
Jaci Williams has developed a warm relationship with every inbound and outbound student in southwest Oklahoma. She is always looking for potential host families. She is available to answer questions at 321-5035.
Over 8,000 young people each year have this life-changing experience of Rotary Youth Exchange. More detailed information for students and parents is available online at SCRYE.org. Application forms are at rotary5770.org.
Local news
Students and host families learn through Rotary Youth Exchange
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