Pomm from Thailand spoek tpo the club first about his stay here in State College. He told us how he was chosen to come to America and how he chose Pennsylvania with knowing nothing about the area. He told us about the differences between theatre in Thailand and the USA. He says that only very skinny people are on stage in Thailand. He participates in drama and musicals. He thanked his host families for the best year of his life.

Pomm did a traditional Thai dance with knives for us.

Gabriella from Argentina spoke to us next. She said she has wanted to visit the USA since she was very young. She wanted to see Disneyland originally but became interested in USA history which stoked her interest in being here. Hearing English was difficult at first but when she realized other foreign exchange students had trouble too it became better. She thought it was cool for all the kids from various places speaking English as their common language. She will go to college in March and hopes to study international law.. She too thanked her host families. (I noticed several Rotarians and guests in tears listening to Gabby's talk-Paul-ed.) Gabby talked about learning of the other America that no one knows. She wants to return to Argentina and help make the world better.

Gabriella from Hungary was the final speaker. She said her initial impressions of America came from Hollywood and that when she arrived in central Pennsylvania she was very surprised to see the remoteness of the area. It was raining and cool--not at all what she expected. Host families rediscovered America through her eyes she says many things that were taken for granted for rekindled. She said the first day of school was difficult because of the English barrier and there was no one to show her around. She said students were friendly and said hello but then left. She has enjoyed her year here. She would do the trip all over despite the tears and cheers. She thinks she understands America now. One of the great things Gabby said was about the difference between being bilingual and bicultural. She thinks plenty of people will learn English but few people have the opportunity to become bicultural as she has. She'll miss the waffle shop.

Hungarian Gabby sang a tune from CATS quite beautifully in acapella for the club. She has a beautiful voice!!

Rotary and our club can be proud of the great year Carl (& I suspect Jan too) did in making the youth exchange a huge success again. From our club, Doug Holmes and his family, with Katie his daughter, was a host family. Another great reason to be a Rotarian and be involved with Rotary programs!

Carl is looking for a host family for the girl from Germany from August through Thanksgiving. Carl is jhill13277@aol.com.

Youth Exchange info for the district is http://centreweb.com/rotary/district/ryex.htm. For general information check out: http://www.exchangestudent.org. It is called ESSEX. The RI site on Youth Exchange is http://www.rotary.org/programs/youth_ex.