Overview

It seems like yesterday when I had landed on Brazilian soil. I recall not knowing how to speak the language. My first  few months were horrible. Can you imagine living with people who you don`t know, it is even worst when no one speaks your language. There were nights and days tears roll down my ears becasue; I couldn't handel the fact of being away from home.

I remember saying good-bye to my mom at the airport, when she told me 'as soon as you look back you will be here in the Bahamas,  that's how fast time  will fly. Today I am  looking back and realizing that she was right.

During my time here in Brazil I've went throught the good, bad and the ugly. I went through one horrible experience I will never forget. I  don't have a word to describe that day. Today as I reminisce on my exchange. I can truly say that  it was worth the pain. There is a  new chapter that is opening while another is ending in my life. My life has changed, I  have learnt so much but yet, I have many more to learn. I have seen the lifestyle of others and  I have participated in a new culture. I feel that deep down in my heart I am a Brazilian.

Arriving in Brazil I didn't have anything in mind of what it was going to be like. Now that the time  is here for me to say good-bye. I am really sad because the friendship that I have made will always be a memory for me. In life we meet many people form different parts of the world, some of these  people, you won't ever see again but, the friendship will  last forever.

It is now time for me  to say good-bye to my Brazilian family and friends. It is time for me to say thank you to all that  has made this exchange possible. It is now time for me to close another chapter in my life. 

I would encourage any other students to participate in this one in a life time event. Thank you to all the Rotarians especially, Roy, Bob, Kerry and the entire members of the Rotary club in Freeport and my parents. This organization is giving youths like me an experience of a life time.

Thank you again. 

Olivia Charles  (leaving June 3, 2002)