An Exchange Year with the Rotary Club of Kirkland

An Exchange year with the Rotary Club of Kirkland

My name is Pascal Weber. I’m a Rotary Exchange student from Switzerland staying for one year in Kirkland with the Rotary Club of Kirkland. Rotary International gives me many great opportunities to explore the world. When I first came here last August I wasn’t speaking to good English, I had no idea about American Lifestyle and I’ve never been over the Atlantic before. I came here without knowing anybody personally. I started to attend a totally new school without knowing anybody and struggling with a different language. The challenges are great, but now after 6 months I can see that I’m pretty good integrated. I know a lot of people in school, rotary, my host families. My problems with the language disappeared; I don’t have to think about the English words anymore, it just goes into my brain like my mother language. The point of feeling comfortable in the new environment came up.  At that point the exchange year turned into one of the greatest things I ever did in my life, it always was a great adventure, but now, since I don’t have to much problems anymore, I just can layback and enjoy the rest of my year, which will be over far to soon.

 The Rotary Club of Kirkland did so far a great job in hosting me as an exchange students, I always knew, that if I have a problem in any kind there are engaged people behind me. The Club welcomes me every Monday to their meetings and shares through that their own lives with me. I hear a lot of interesting stories, from excitement about getting a grandchild to inspirational stories from college times. I hear the weekly speakers talking about the most different themes and through that I can see a lot of the community but also learn about interesting facts from all around the world. The members take me to many different little trips like to the symphony, to the capitol in Olympia or even just to their office to show me what they are working.

I feel myself extremely fortunate to be sent to the Rotary Club of Kirkland. I appreciate everyone of the member with their characters and the great atmosphere at the Monday Night meetings. I want to thank all the people from Rotary who make my own great experience possible.