July 16, 2004

The last few months have been so busy it would take me pages to write. I would have to say the highlights have been Eurotour, my host family going to Croatia and my last week in Slovakia.

Eurotour was 16 days on a charter bus with 50 exchange students. We saw Venice, Paris, London and Amsterdam. Everyday was something new but the best part was getting to know the other exchange students.

My second to last week my host family signed up for a last minute vacation package to Croatia. It was one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. The water was crystal clear.

When I got back I was extremely busy getting everything packed and saying goodbye to people. I felt like I spent the entire week saying goodbye. Even on the car ride to the airport I couldn’t believe I was going home. The day started at 5 AM Slovak time and didn’t end till 1:30 AM Slovak time. Luckily a friend from school was traveling to Pennsylvania and didn’t want to travel alone so she arranged to fly with me. When I asked the lady next to me if she'd be willing to switch seats we talked for a bit and she thought I was Slovak, when I told her that I wasn’t she was so impressed with how I spoke that she almost started crying! It was so touching that me learning the language meant so much to her.

Coming into Newark I felt like a foreigner, English sounded so weird and the bustle of the airport was confusing. The first few days I was disoriented and every now and then I have a Slovak day where some things come quicker in Slovak than English and general mannerisms seem weird. It’s very exciting to be back though and be able to spend time with my family before I head off to college.

I would like to thank Rotary and all those who made this experience possible.

Christina