The Rotary Youth Exchange I dreamed about

By Rotary International

Thando Gwatyu shares the South African flag with his host family in Germany.

Thando Gwatyu shares the South African flag with his host family in Germany.

By Thando Gwatyu, a Rotary Youth Exchange student from South Africa to Germany

Recently, I finished my third month in Germany, and it’s already changing my life. The process has not always been easy, but I’ve made quite a few discoveries about German culture and tradition, some of which is very different from the life I’m used to.

My first host family, the Roos, were simply amazing. Both parents are architects and they have a 16-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old son. The parents were eager to show me many things about their country and culture. On just my second week, they took me on a ski vacation and I celebrated my birthday on snow for the first time ever. They bought me soccer clothes and a team ID, meaning I am now an official member of the village soccer club. They went out of their way to buy me a full uniform with my family name on the jersey, which made me feel really good. My photo is even on the soccer club website. (I have no goals yet, only assists.)

They took me to visit the site of the former …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

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