International Youth Exchange

Hosting a Exchange Student

Former exchange student to Austria

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Flemington

I moved to Nashville and am a historical interpreter at an old mansion and former plantation. I am thinking of starting a new language in May. Attached is a picture of me and another exchange student when we accidently ran into each other this summer back in Austria. She was in Austria the same year as a Rotary exchange student with me and her name is Vanessa from Colombia.

My exchange year has really changed my life. When I came back from my exchange I took everyday as an adventure. I embraced everything in college and was not afraid to try new things. I loved meeting international students, learning new languages and traveling to new places. I believe I had more opportunities because what I had already experienced and more drive to experience more of the world. During college I was able to travel to Dominican Republic with Habitat for Humanity twice, Namibia, Africa to film documentaries about AIDS orphans, Costa Rica for a semester about human rights, and Mexico. The world is still so interconnected for me. Since my exchange in Austria I have been able to return as the "native speaker" for my host father's English camp and for my host mother's 40th birthday party. I still have regular contact with exchange buddies. Rotary creates global citizens and I am forever changed by this. Now as a college graduate I still have that idealism and open-mind that only Rotary can create. One day I see myself teaching abroad or doing the Peace Corps to continue this passion. THANKS ROTARY!!!

Lots of love,

Rachel Copeland

Here is the picture.....

Hello:

Jim Murray asked that we write you about our experience with our exchange student, Anna Grosskopf.

Lauren and I are members of the Lambertville/ New Hope Rotary Cub. We have hosted one other student in the past from Japan. We met Anna (Anna Grosskopf) when she arrived from Germany on August 15th. She is 18 years old and is a High School senior at the New Hope Solebury HS.

Anna fit right in to our family. We have 2 beagles that really liked having her around to play with.

Anna has enjoyed so many activities and memories of her trip to America. She started a web page that chronicles her experience in America including a diary, guest book, and select pictures. It is great to see her friends from America, Germany and the other exchange students come to the site and add their comments and experiences. Her address is : http://www.siteworld.de/annalovesjassi/

Anna has been coming to all our Rotary meetings and has added such a breath of fresh air to our club. She has contributed to our newsletters, volunteered at our fund raising events and usually wins our 50/50 contest. Many of our club members have spent time sharing their experiences with Anna and have taken her on trips to see items of interest in our area.

She has taught us a lot about her country (Germany), and what it like to be a teenager in general.

It has been a great experience for us to meet the other exchange students as we hosted the annual Halloween party at our home. Meeting teenagers from Germany, Italy, Columbia, Brazil, Turkey, Pakistan, Venezuela, Equador, France, Croatia etc has taught us how much we really have in common.

Anna is now at her second host family and doing very well in school.

Here are some pictures.....

It's been a fun time!!

Dr. Michael Toscani