So much happening, in a such a short time!

I have been so busy here, and enjoying my time that I haven't had anytime to write in my blog about the things that have been happening, but I'll do that now!

Tuesday May 14th, 2013

Today I went to the Creaux du Van, which is in the Canton Neu Chatel. The Creaux du Van is a smal Swiss version of the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is absolutely gorgeous, you can see the mountains around you and the sight is to drool for. Peter and I went together, and we left early and came home relatively late. It took about three hours to hike up the Creaux du Van, and then about two hours to hike back down it. It was a pretty steep hike, which was so neat. It was a little scary at times because you're walking up the mountain, and when you look beside you it's a complete drop down, I just kept telling myself to just keep putting one foot in front of the other! Once we made it to the top, we were on one side of the Creaux du Van and ate our typical Swiss lunch: bread, meat, cheese and chocolate. As we were sitting there, I heard a bell start chiming (the ones that the cows wear here) I assumed it was a dog with a person hiking up too, since a lot of people but that on their dogs when they hike to know where their dogs are. It kept getting louder and louder, but I couldn't hear any people alongside the bell noise. Along came a little goat, came right up to us as we ate and clearly wanted some food! It was so cute. After lunch, we started hiking around the edge of the Creux du Van, and as I walked along the edge of the Creux du Van I looked over and there was a mountain goat staring right at me! I just stopped, looked at him, and watched him in his habitat, he was so cute and so calm. What a beautiful place for a mountain goat to live! I kept walking, and the path was so close to the edge of the Creaux du Van that my heart was beating soooo fast. It was such a neat experience!! Afterwards we hiked back down, which was steep as well but hiking down always goes a lot faster than hiking up. Here are a few pictures to help explain the beauty of this place:

Peter and I

The goat with the bell

The mountain goat

The Craux du Van

The Creaux du Van

Wednesday May 15^th, 2013

Today Peter, his friend Marion and I went on a trip to Canton Graubunden which is on the boarder of Italy. St. Moritz is in Graubunden and it’s a very rich part of Switzerland where a lot of celebrities have their vacation houses there. The train ride was absolutely gorgeous, it took maybe five or so hours to get there, and it was so beautiful. The train goes right through the Swiss Alps and has breathtaking views that I can’t even begin to explain, you really just have to see it for yourself. We stopped and got off the train at a place that was in the moutains and was so high up that it still has snow! The lakes were stunning, and looked as if it was fit for a King (and polar bears). We also stopped at a glacier where the winds were so strong and the water moved so fast, that the stones carved big wholes into the rocks. The stones are still at the bottom of the whole, and you can see where they carved into the rock. We stayed in a hotel in Poschiavo, which was literally on the boarder of Italy. For dinner, we took a train to Italy and WOW the food was delicious. The appetizer was my favourite, and it was different types of Italian salami with deep fried flowers!! 

The next day once we all woke up, it was kind of a rainy day so we spent a lot of time on the train which was also nice just to sit back and enjoy the views. We took the glacier express for part of the trip, and like I said, you just have to see the mountains for yourself and that train ride, there are no words to explain how beautiful it is. The higher we got (altitude), the more the rain turned into snow. Then as we went back down the mountains again it turned back into rain because it was a bit warmer. We stopped at a little village, and walked around to see what things there were to do. Most of the places such as museums are all closed until the summer season starts, for now it's pretty silent and calm while the people wait to come out for summer. A door was open in one of the buildings, so we went in. It was an old building that witches used to have to go to, to get their punishment and sentencing in court. We saw the little court room, and toured around the house a little more. Upstairs there was a place where they used to kill the witches (if they were sentenced to death). Here are some of the pictures from this two day adventure! 

Friday May 17^th, 2013

Friday was a special day, and a day I was really looking forward to. It has been so nice to see my host families again, since I really missed them over the past two years. Friday night I went to my host family Casanova, that I had as my third host family here in Switzerland. It was really sad that I could only spend one night there, but it is how it is! They’re a very special family, and they are so nice to be around and spend time with. Denise (my host mother) organized a get-together with all the people that I became friends with while I was staying at their house (family friends, neighbours, family etc.) She made a bunch of appetizers and our friends dropped in and we all sat at the table. It was so nice to be back there, talking to them, and spending time together. It felt just like it used to, and it felt amazing to be surrounded with such kind people. I can’t wait until I come back again and can spend more time with them than just the one night, they’re fun people to be around. Once our friends left, Silvano, Denise, Elia and I sat down and looked at the old photos of our time together during my exchange (when we went to London, England and when we went to their cottage in the mountains). It felt so nice to look at the photos and remember the times that I spent there with them, so many memories came flooding back to me and it was so comforting.

The next morning we all ate a big breakfast together, and I was on my way out the door to go on another exciting adventure!! Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos with the Casanova's, but I will make sure I do next time. 

Saturday May 18th, 2013. 

While I was on my exchange in Switzerland, I met an extremely friendly and welcoming family, the Sollberger family. They took me to their house in the mountains, along with an FC Basel soccer match while I was on my exchange. So I am so happy I got the chance to spend some time with them this time, since they are so fun to be around. On Saturday, I went to their house and had the opportunity to spend time with them again! Once I got there, we spent the afternoon relaxing and spending time together, catching up on the past two years that we missed! 

On Saturday evening I went to my Rotary Officer's house for dinner, and it was nice to see him and his wife again, we had really nice conversations and we had the opportunity to catch up as well.

Once I got back to the Sollberger's house, I went to bed and anxiously awaited the morning because I got to go back to their cottage in the Alps! AHH! So amazing and I could remember how much I enjoyed it last time, so I was so excited to go back. Once we were all up, we packed up the car and went to their cottage in Soerenberg. Ah, the beautiful mountains that sit so calmly in their backyard are just gorgeous. We went into a gondela to the top of one of the mountains, and I got the eat weiner schnitzel which is DELICIOUS here in Switzerland so I was really excited. Then we went back down, sat together for a bit, I spent a lot of time out on the balcony, all curled up in a blanket sitting in a really comfortable chair that fold back, and just staring at the mountains. I can't get over how beautiful mountains are, ah I hope everyone gets a change in their lifetime to see a view like that. After that, we went out for dinner! I had cordon bleu which is also amazing here, ah I love the food here. I wish I could take it all home. In the evening, we watched the World Hockey Finals, Swizterland was in it against Sweden!!! Unfortunately Switzerland lost, but it's amazing that such a small country got silver and beat all the other countries... that was definitely a very proud Swiss moment! Then we went to bed, it was so nice falling asleep knowing I'm surrounded by such a beautiful landscape, and such a kind family. 

The weather was so interesting to watch as I was in this house, they called for rain the whole time and we were so lucky that it was basically sunny and beautiful the entire time!!! The weather changes SO quickly in the mountains, the clouds will roll in and out quicker than the blink of an eye. It rained only once for a very short time, but at some points it looked like there was a big storm coming, then you look out the window again and the sun was back! It was so funny, it changed so quickly. 

Today we drove back to their house and are watching the FC Basel match on TV, playing for the cup. I only have three more days left here which is so weird! It's going to be really sad to leave this beautiful country, but I am very lucky because I have a beautiful country to go home to. I will be back in Buus for my final days, and then heading onto the plane on Thursday!!

It feels so weird and nostalgic to be leaving Switzerland again, but if this trip has proven anything, it had proven that I will be back, and it has proven that I'm still so blessed to have such amazing people in my life that are so willing to invite me into their life for as long as I can stay, it's such an amazing feeling to be surrounded by people that are just so genuinely kind. I love it here so much.  

Buus, always in my heart.

It has been such an amazing time here, and I have a strong sense of nostalgia coming over me as I leave this amazing village once again. I am trying to be optimistic because I am SO lucky to have received this opportunity, but it's always sad leaving a place that is so near and dear to your heart. However, just like before, I will be back.

The Leuenberger family has such a special place in my heart, they are such an amazing family. They are full of energy, so nice, so welcoming, and also make amazing food hehe. As soon as you walk into this apartment, you feel right at home. They obviously made a huge impact, and made me feel so at home before, if I could walk in and 5 minutes later say I'm hungry and grab something from the fridge. It's home, this is home.

Yesterday we went to Rheinfallen and Schaffhausen. It was SO neat! We went to Schaffhausen first, and it has a place where Napoleon used to go to. A big concrete thing, kind of a castle I guess? It was so neat with an amazing view. Then we went to Rheinfallen which is the Niagra Falls of Canada hehe, much smaller but just as beautiful and special. We walked along the falls, and enjoyed our time together again. My host family went with two boyfriends of my host sisters, and we all get along so well. I feel like I am apart of the family, like I am a daughter and it feels so nice.

I'll let the pictures explain how beautiful the day was:

After we got back from the two beautiful places, I was invited to go to the Rohner’s for dinner. The Rohner’s are a family from Buus as well, that are very near and dear to my heart. Once I came to Switzerland, as you have seen in so many of my blogs earlier, I became instantly best friends with a very special person from Mexico, Ana. Ana and I did everything together, where she went I went, and where I went she went. Literally, everything. So when my family made trips to go places, Ana came and same with her family. I spent a lot of time with the Rohners because they hosted Ana at their house for around 8 months in total! They are an amazing family, so loving and welcoming as well. We did a lot of trips together, like to Toggenburg to their cottage in the mountains, and much much more. So it was so nice to see them again, and be with them. It was so nice to be back in that house, it felt so comforting. However, a big piece of it was missing, it made me miss Ana even more so. Her and I were inseparable for the year, and it has been quite an adjustment to be back here without her. To Ana, I miss you so much, I love you, and I can’t wait until we meet again. As I walked around where Ana and I used to go, it made me remember all the times her and I had together. As hard as that was, I am so lucky to be back and able to remember those things again and bring them back in my head and my heart. 

The Rohners and I went to a restaurant just across the bridge in Germany, it was a beautiful restaurant. Being the pasta love I am, as soon as I saw on the menu pasta-triologie I had to get it. It was three different types of pasta with three different types of sauces- WOW. It was so epical to catch up with Monika, Martin, Remo and Tim again. They are so welcoming and friendly, and it was so nice to hear everything they have been up to, and tell them everything I have been up to. AH it was so nice to be back with them, and they speak perfect English so it was great to have an English night and just talk away and catch up. Oh it felt so nice to be back, more memories to add to the memory bank in my head and in my heart. 

As I walked from the Rohners house back to my house in Buus, it was so special. I must have walked that same walk 100000 times when I lived here, always running back and forth from my house to Ana’s, and it was so nice to look at the way and have it feel just like it used to. I miss you so much Ana! Thanks Rohner family, for allowing me to have such a nice time with you again. Monika showed me her pictures from New Zealand, and WOW that’s on my bucket list now haha. Looking at her pictures made me thirst to just keep travelling, I don’t want to stop, I just want to keep exploring new countries… One day!

 

Back in Buus!!

Yesterday was an amazing day, all around. I finally got to see one of my host families again, it was AMAZING to see them. It feels so good to be back in such a familiar place. It has been two years since I have been in this house and it was incredible to be back. I lived here for five months, and it really became a  home for me. As I came back here (two nights ago) it was amazing to see Gabby, Simon, Marius, Linda, Tamara and Isabella. When I walked in, it was the exact same smells, feelings, everything. After a few minutes of being back here, I genuinely felt like I never left. It felt so normal to be back, and so great to catch up. I felt so welcomed back, and they made me feel right at home again. I felt so normal just walking into the kitchen and opening up the fridge again, which is a big challenge to conquer especially at your first host families house, because it's all so new.

The next day (yesterday) was a really neat tradition here in Buus. It was perfect timing for me to be back in this village, because I got to see everyone again. I met a lot of people here in Buus, because there's a gym hall that all the girls gather at every Wednesday night to play sports and work out, and I met a lot of amazing people as I did that for 5 months. So in the North of Switzerland, many villages have this special tradition. The village all gathers together in the centre of it, and split into two groups. One goes one way, the other goes the other way. They all hike around half of the village each, and meet up at the end.  This traditionally signified the boarders they had, and to signify their land since it was always a bit in discussion of what land belongs to who, so this became their tradition every year on this day. After that, you meet up and each receive a bottle of wine or beer, and a sausage with bread, and drink together. It was amazing to see everyone again, it felt so special to be back. It was just like it used to be when we would get together, and that felt amazing. It truly is my second home here. We started around 1 pm and were all together drinking and talking until around 9 pm when we went into a portable bar that they had set up, and drank some more there. It's so social and special, it felt so amazing to see everyone again. They are very great people here, and so friendly. They're all really interested to make conversation, and it was that feeling when your hair on your skin stands up, and goosebumps show up everywhere, because it feels so damn good.

Today we relaxed a bit, which felt SO nice to take a day to lounge around. I can't explain how great it felt to be back in this house, and how similar it felt to being here before. Isabella and I watched Life of Pi, and we all relaxed, chatted all together, and enjoyed some great family time. Tonight, I was fortunate enough to have another fondue dinner. I love the food here, it's absolutely amazing, especially the fondue. You can't even explain it, you just have to try it for yourself.

Also, it was so nice to hear Buus' church bells again. You forget the little things after being gone for a while, and the church bells are absolutely incredible. In every village there's a church, and you can always here the church bells play at the same times that a grandfather clock would. During different times like church, weddings, or other events the bells will play for longer. I tried to get a video on youtube to explain the sound, but as I was listening to them on youtube, the actual church bells played here and it just isn't the same, you really can't imagine the sound until you're laying here listening to it yourself. If I could make a wish right now, it'd be for everyone to get the opportunity to live in Switzerland like a Swiss person for a few months, it's such a neat life here.

Here are a few pictures from the walk around the village, and the party after. I haven't taken too many pictures here in Buus, I have been too busy enjoying the moments. It's the best feeling to be back. Tomorrow I'll try to remember to take pictures of Buus.

Reunited with my school friends again!

AH! What a wonderful morning it was. I met back up with my friends from school again, it has been two years since we last saw each other, as we all cried in the train station before I had to take off and leave.

It was so amazing. At first, as I was waiting in the sporthall for my friends, a bunch of people walked up saying Katie?! They were a bunch of girls from my volleyball team, it was SO neat to see them! I didnt expect to see them at all, and it was so nice of them to recognize me and come run over and see how everything has been going. Then, the moment I was so excited for, my friends from school came in the doors, and they all ran over with so many hugs and tears, oh it was such a nice feeling.

After reuniting and walking around school for a bit, five of us went out for lunch at the local mall.
So excited to see these people again, they are such good friends. Wahoo! Life is good.

Now I am off to my first host family's house, I am SO EXCITED to see them oh my gosh! Weeee so happy.

Jet lag hasn't stopped me here!

Oh boy has jet lag ever hit me hard, harder than I think it ever has!! Every night I wake up at 1 am and can barely sleep until it's time to wake up in the morning, it makes for a very tired girl but I'm surprisingly doing okay throughout the day with very little sleep!!

Yesterday was a fun day, we went for a hike in France in a forest. It looked similar to what I'm used to in Canada in our forests, with a few differences here and there. It was beautiful, and the birds were so loud!! The birds sounded different, it was so neat. Afterwards we went to a little bakery and had the best eclaires I had ever had. As we were walking in, I said that we have eclaires in Canada, boy was I ever way off what an actual eclaire was, these things are amazing!! Wow. Then Peter (my Rotary counsellor) and I walked around Basel together, and went to different places like the Munster (old church in Basel), library, and walked through all the streets. It felt so weird for me to be back there, it was so nice to see everything again, and I am so lucky to get this opportunity, but it made me really miss the exchange students that I became so close with, I would have paid big money to have them there also and just to get a few more minutes with them, like it used to be. I guess that's just a fact of life, it goes on!

Today was an amazing day, oh my gosh. Peter and I went on a trip to Lausanne and Montreux, and it was so special. We left at 10:30 am and took the train, to go on a day of wine yard adventures. We took the train through the Swiss Alps and I kept hoping that we were going to be doing something, anything, with the mountains in sight. I can't stop staring at the mountains, they are absolutely stunning, my favorite landscape in the entire world. We stopped and got out, and holy it was absolutely stunning. In Switzerland  they take such good care of their gardens, especially the public ones. Beside the lake of Geneva, the gardens were so beautifully groomed with huge mountains on the other side. I missed this view, it was so beautiful just to stand there and stare. We then took a boat to the Chillon Castle, where Kings, Queens and Lords used to live. It had amazing history, and it was HUGE! So neat to take the boat to it, with mountains running along each side. Wow, what an amazing country. 

Afterwards, we walked through all the wine yard in St. Saphorin. The wine here is well known, and there were SO many wine yards all built into the side of the mountain, I have never seen anything like it. Peter can speak French which helped a lot, because he got talking to the locals about where people can buy wine in this tiny but famous village. They talked for a while, and the people were so friendly. The husband ran and grabbed a farmer that was working on his crops. He came down, and took us to his house, and in his basement he made all his wine. He let us try a bunch of different wines, then we both bought some bottles. He was so nice and friendly, and drank a glass of wine with us. It was absolutely delicious!! Afterwards, Peter and I walked through the village, then up through all the vineyards, and hiked through the little walking paths that lead us through it to the next village. This next village is my dream village, so tiny and the people were so friendly. Everyone says 'bonjour' to everyone as they walk by, (it's a French part) and it had such a nice feeling to it. Those lucky people that live there and wake up to the amazing Swiss Alps beside lake Geneva everyday - wow. 

Here are some pictures from today! 

Tomorrow I'm going to school to see all my school friends again, it'll be so neat. We have stayed in contact so it'll be really nice to see them again! I am SO excited for tomorrow evening, I go back to my first host family, they are amazing and I'm so excited to see them again. I'll be there until Monday, and I don't know if I have internet or not, so I might not update this for a while, but I will once I'm back! 

So excited for what these next few days bring, wahoo!! :) 

I'm back in the land of the Swiss!!!!!

I realized how amazing it is to keep a blog to refer back on at a later date, so I'm going to write in this once again because I am lucky enough to come back for another visit to Switzerland!!

It's currently 3 AM here, and I can't sleep... jet lag at its finest!!

Yesterday, I arrived back in Switzerland after being gone for two years. It's so nice to be back, my jitters kept with me the entire plane ride. I was able to get a bit of sleep, but you can never really get a great or deep sleep on an airplane - they're not so comfy!

The beginning of the flight was a bit frustrating, as we all had to sit on the plane for about an hour while they fixed their technical problems with the engine. Delays are normal and it would have been no problem, but in order to fix the part that needed to be fixed, they couldn't have any air conditioning on, so we were all packed on the plane sitting in Toronto for about an hour with no air, it was pretty hot and stinky but at least that happened at the beginning of the flight, when most people are freshly showered hehe. Once we started going, I got SO excited!

It was a night flight, but once we were about 5 hours into the flight we were in sheer daylight due to the time change! We were told to keep our window plastic cover thing down, but I kept peeking out of it so I could watch us fly over the ocean, then Ireland, then all through Germany.

I had finally arrived back in Zurich airport, just like the journey I took three years prior. This time, I had a lot more confidence as I knew what I was doing. Back onto the little train to take us to our baggage claim area, that plays cow music, yodelling, and the Alp horn as your ride in it, it was so neat to be back. It reminded me of the first time I took that, terrified, excited, anxious, all built up into one body.

Once I arrived, I saw my Rotary counsellor Peter and his wife Christine! They had patiently waited despite the delays that happened. I saw them, and all the emotions came back and I broke out in a few tears. We took the train from Zurich back to their village in Moehlin, and it felt surreal being back in this country! I started to speak German again, which felt so neat. I am surprised that I remembered it, it ALL came back to me!!

Once we arrived back in Moehlin, I threw all my stuff into my room ran down and ate lunch, and off we were on our way. Despite being exhausted, the adrenalin was helping me to keep going. We went to the local museum which is an old house and kept preserved in the way that it used to be lived in, and how they lived in it. Then we went to Germany, and rode in a coal train that was made in 1848. It was so neat to ride like they used to, and get a feel of what life was like in older days. We arrived on the train at another little village, toured it then took the bus back to our car that was parked in the original spot. After spending the day touring around, we came home to an AMAZING welcome back dinner..... fondue! It was so nice to eat the real fondue again. It was such a nice day to come back and get back into the Swiss zone.

It's funny how it feels to be back, it feels like I never left. I realize I have two worlds, my Canadian world and my Swiss world. Both are very different, but the same Katie. Once I'm back in Switzerland, I automatically switch into German, different street smart modes, and back into the way the Swiss live. I didn't realize it'd go so smoothly to be right back into it, it feels like yesterday I was here... except when I look back in the same mirrors and see a Katie that is a wee bit older than last time.

I better get back into bed and trying to sleep, it's almost 4 AM and hopefully my body will let me fall back asleep.

Aufwiedersehen!

The FINAL post!

July 18th, 2011 was one of the most emotional days of my life. It started out so hard but ended so amazing. Two weeks prior to this date, it sounded like the only word that came out my mouth was 'goodbye.' As difficult as it was to go, I was so relieved to stop saying goodbye. Finally, that elephant wasn't in the room anymore - there was no more enjoying the moment but remembering in a couple days I won't be here anymore.

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.