The adventure begins

         A year abroad is that which gives one the ability to communicate in another language, while causing growth and cultural maturity. The maturity we need to see things in a way we have not seen before.

First and foremost, I have to thank My Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity – for without Him I would have looked right pass this door and never walked through it. Ensuite (Next), I would like to thank my parents , The Rotary Club of Lucaya and District 6990 for affording me the best year of my life. Rotary, because of your desire to embellish the world through the youth, life and all that surrounds it is becoming so much clearer to me now. I have spent a month and a few days here so far, and those days have certainly held most of what I wanted to experience. Each week was definitely an adventure filled with excitement and anxiety… Here is how it all started….

“The Adventure Begins….”

 August 23^rd 2006 – August 24^th 2006

At about 7:30 am in Miami, after saying quick yet not solemn or sad goodbyes to Mommy and Daddy, I was finally on my own; finally able to start my journey. The thought of this excited me to the point where I could feel the excitement and anxiety rush right through my veins; as the dream which I have dreamt for three years was finally emerging into reality. I WAS ON MY WAY TO FRANCE!!!

         As soon as I got through customs etc I took my time (as my flight would arrive in an hour), got some breakfast from “Burger King” and appreciated every bite, knowing that I would not have much or any of it for a year. Soon after enjoying my breakfast, my flight was called and I was off to my next stop before arriving to Paris: Washington Dulles Airport.

        My flight to Washington Dulles Airport was a little delayed however the passenger who sat beside me was kind enough to indulge in a conversation with me about my Exchange Year (noticing my Rotary Jacket) and taught me the French word for “ice” (which is “glace” ) – thus adding another word to my French vocabulary. Nevertheless, after a brief discussion with the passenger near me, I took a short nap and awaited my arrival to the Airport in Washington.    

            After arriving at the Dulles Airport, I was scheduled to find Gate D1 to be counted with the other 59 exchange students going to France. When I found the gate, the students and I immediately exchanged conversations, anxieties and expectations. It was really amazing to be amongst other people that I had so much in common with. We were so similar to the point where one of the exchange students and I both found a card from our mothers in our purses. Nonetheless, I was at ease being amongst them because I then knew that the excitement and anxiety all mixed up with other emotions were not only felt by me, yet 59 other people.

            Subsequent to the laughter and imaginative visions shared about life in France, flight 914 to Paris had arrived, and soon enough we were to be fulfilling our dreams.

           The flight to Paris was a little uncomfortable, (as I had never been so cramped up in an area for such a long time) but I managed to catch about 5 hours (not consecutively) of sleep to adjust to the 6 hour time difference. (luckily I did because I was able to immediately take on the daily life style when living in France – a busy one)

           Arriving in Paris was quite contrary to what I had imagined, (besides the fact of it being cold or crowded) and it was at that moment that I had asked myself: “Oh Aryana, what in the world have you gotten yourself into..?”. I wondered exactly, why I had decided to travel more than 4,500 miles away from home and the family that I was so closed to. However, as soon as I got on and off of the plane to Mulhouse/Basel Airport near Switzerland, my thoughts changed. I was welcomed with Blue Mountains, scenery that captured my mind, fresh air, smiles, and the polite “French cheek-to-cheek kiss”. As a result, I took a deep breath, said, “Finally, I am here” and was satisfied with that realization.

      When I arrived in Belfort, it was raining and extremely cold, yet the warmth felt from my new host family (mother, father, older host brother, host sister and Olympe the dog) made me feel at home, relaxed and very comfortable.  Therefore, I was content with my decision to do this exchange, and then focused on what I came here to do – learn the language, notice the cultural differentiation, and grow culturally. However, because of this exchange, I noticed something I thought was amazing….. I now have another place to call home.