I couldn't have been more excited as I landed in Toronto Airport. I knew my three best friends, my grandparents, my uncle and my dad were on the other side of the arrivals door and I had goosebumps the whole time. It was a rainy day when I left Switzerland so I wore jeans, long sleeve shirt, big sweater and my Rotary Blazer. Not only was it a little cool in Switzerland, I had no more room for those clothes in my suitcases. As I arrived in Canada I realized how warm it was, it was 38 degrees Celsius!! I waited in a very long line to go through customs to enter into Canada. It took about an hour to get through this long but slowly constantly moving line. I was sweating buckets!! Since the line was constantly moving and I had two big and heavy carry-on's, it made it quite difficult to attempt to take off some layers so I wasn't so hot. Luckily the family in front of me saw my struggle, and helped me carry my bags and layers as I started taking off the Blazer and the big sweater. I finally got through customs and was thinking I was so close to the arrivals door, think again. I had to wait for my suitcases, then wait in another big line!! So there I was with 2 giant carry-on's, two giant suitcases, and sweaters and blazers hanging off me in every direction.. it was nearly impossible!! I finally saw the glass sliding doors that was keeping me from some of the most important people in my life and the people I have dearly missed. I was finally there, the doors opened, and I was in the same room once again with these amazing people. I scanned the crowd quickly while focusing on all that I had to carry. I pass the crowds and find my family there and my three best friends with a big sign that says WELCOME BACK KATIE on a big cardboard Canadian Flag. I dropped my suitcases and couldn't feel my legs, my three friends started screaming on the tops of their lungs and I stood there and embraced them as they ran to me. I was in shock and it was the most exciting moment ever. I stood there crying my eyes out, once again in the arms of my three best friends. It was great to be back home.
The one question I always get asked is "how was your year?"
Honestly, it is great when people ask and are interested to know how it was. But also, it is so hard to answer. How can I possibly sum up a whole year into a simple sentence as to how it was? If I could answer it the way I wanted to when they asked, I would jump up and down, run on the spot, run in circles, throw my arms in the air like a maniac and scream WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Instead, I give a huge Katie smile and say "My year was simply amazing."
I can't sum up my year, even if I had days to give an answer. In my heart, I will know all the things I've done, the things I've seen, the good times, the hard times, the moments of complete happiness and the moments of trying. I will always know the things I learned and I will always remember the people I met and I will bring those special people and moments with me in my heart, everywhere I go. When I close my eyes and think of Switzerland, I will always get an instant smile on my face.
Deciding to go on this one year exchange was the best decision of my life and nothing will change that. Even if I have to repeat a year in high school because I didn't get enough credits, doesn't compare for a second to the year I had. I won't complain about having to repeat a year because in the long run, I experienced a year that will be very competitive to one of the best years of my life.
I have learned so much over the past year, and I didn't start realizing it until I arrived back home. It has just been over 2 weeks but I am noticing how extreme this year has impacted my life.
I find myself a lot more independent, mature, adaptable and spontaneous. Before I left, I was nervous whenever I was in big cities even when I was with friends. Whenever I'd go to Toronto I'd always be extremely alert and never let my guard down, I understand that's okay to do, but to a certain point. On exchange I spent many days in bigger cities and learned it's best to simply be alert and aware, just not scared. Now I feel comfortable to walk around during the day alone in a bigger city, which is a big step for me. Also, I react a lot differently in situations than I ever have. I am a lot more calm and take it all the way it is and go from there. I have met a lot of different people and families throughout this year. Living with three host families for at least 3 months each, makes your learn a lot about the various personality types this world has to offer. I learned how to deal with many, many different people. Harder things don't seem to phase me as much as they used to, I don't react as much and don't really give it the time of day. I've learned to go with the flow and always look on the sunny side, because everywhere you go and everything you do, you can look at the shady side or the sunny side, and life's a lot better on the sunny side.
Many people are sad after their exchange year claiming that it's all over. For me, it's the exact opposite. Of course I miss Switzerland, and I will continue to have a few hard days here and there missing the people I met and the busy lifestyle I had. However, this year was not the end. This year was that spark to my fire that shows me life can be so exciting if you set yourself up for that. So, when opportunity comes knocking at your door: answer! embrace it! You may just surprise yourself at what you can do, how much you can handle, and how amazing life is.
I would like to say a HUGE thank you to absolutely everyone that supported me along the way. Throughout the year there were a few times of trying that really got me down, and it was so amazing to see all the support that I had in Switzerland and in Canada as I faced the rainy days. To my Rotary Club of Bracebridge - Muskoka Lakes here in Canada and my Rotary club of Augst-Raurica in Switzerland, two amazing clubs with amazing people, that supported me along the way and made sure everything ran smoothly, I am so fortunate to be sponsored and hosted by these two amazing clubs. To my Rotary Counselor Peter Bieri and Rotary Officer Hanspeter Brandt, who made sure everything went well throughout the year and made sure I was always safe and smiling. To my three host families: the Leunenberger's, the Geiger's and the Casanova's, I have learned so much from each family, each family was very different than the next and I can't even begin to give enough thanks to you for hosting me in your houses. And to the friends I met in Switzerland and the friends I have here in Canada, all were huge supporters in my life and made huge differences. Also, a huge thank you to my family here in Canada for always being there to listen to anyhting I had to say and to allow me to share everything about my year with them and attentively listened the whole time. Thank you everybody, you are all amazing and changed my life.
This may be the end of my exchange year, but this is just beginning. I am 18 years old, my name is Katie O'Hearn and I'm going to accomplish big things.
