Salami

We had a substitute today. Her name is "Salome" (Zah-lo-may). But my class misses out regular teacher and called the sub Salami. It's not every day you have a teacher named Salami.

Foosball

When asked if I play sports in Canada, my host mother will list my sport history at whoever's asking. So after a week here, my host mother took me to a soccer game, and began encouraging me to join because I "am a sporty girl". Now, this isn't just any regular soccer team. My host sister, Jamina, currently on exchange in Australia had played on this team for years, and they even won the Swiss Cup! Watching them play I just say "Wow, they are good. really good" (that's about as far as my German goes). So after watching a couple of their games, my host mother and I talked to the coach and we agreed that although I don't really play soccer, he would let me come to the practice and if it wasn't going to work I could play with a younger group.

 Leading up to my first practice, I was terrified. Will they laugh at me? Will I fall flat on my face? What if I don't understand anything?  In the end, I decided that I don't really know anyone here, so I don't care if I embarrass myself. That's what my exchange year is for. Going for it.

So tonight, I went to my first practice. The whole team was super sweet (despite my fears) and was happy to whisper English or easier German translations to me. I made it through all the drills (only mildly embarrassing) and did my usual "run in circles and smile" tactics on the field. I couldn't decide if I was playing in the World Cup, or in the Olympics but the other girls were very good, and it was pretty cool to play with them.

When I asked the coach if I should come back, he took me to talk to the coach of the other group, so I will be joining a different (younger) group on Thursday!  It's too bad that I can't practice with tonight's team, but to be fair, they have been playing for years and many of them are much older (a lot are 21 and well into university). On the bright side, I think I'm making Swiss friends! After practice, a couple of the girls approached me and asked me (in English/German combo) to hang out with them soon!  Also, I understood much more German than I expected to! At least I'm heading in the right direction!

Here's where I live

See where I live

Erlinsbach is the town, Aarau is the nearby city where I will be going to school!

First Post from Switzerland

So it's been two weeks. I had planned to update a blog much more frequently, but I've been busy, so I'll do what I can!

Although it was very hard to say goodbye to all my friends and family, I am so happy here!

 My host family is really very nice and have been very welcoming to me. Rita my hostmom is the perfect Swiss mom, and is also a great cook!  We had loads of fresh bread, and always lettuce, cucumbers, zuccini's or even berries from the garden! My host sister, Fiona, had been on Rotary Exchange from Switzerland to Ontatio  several years ago, so  her English/German translations make my life a lot easier! My host brother, Andrin, is in the army for 17 weeks as is mandatory in Switzerland, so he is only home one day each week. Mitch, my host father is an architect and he even designed our very modern house! I have my own room (borrowed from a host sister on exchange in Australia), with a beautiful view of the surrounding hills, with a field of yellow flowers in the valley. So far, I have been managing to keep my room clean (a change from my canadian room) and I hope to keep it this way!


For the past two weeks, I have been attending a language camp in Zurich. Every morning I get up at 6:15 so I can leave the house by 7:15 and start my journey to school. I bike from my house to the bus station in my village, Erlinsbach, then take the bus into the nearby city, Aarau, next a train into Zurich, where I switch to a different train which takes me to the area of the city where I go to school. Luckily, I have train buddies. There are two other exchange students living near Aarau, so we meet at the train station at the same time every morning and travel together. I have become good friends with Danielle from Saskatchewan and Ben from Mexico on our daily train rides!

 At language camp, there are 30 Rotary Exchange students closest to Zurich. There are also German language camps in Luzern and Bern and I think even one in the french part. The first thing they had us do on our first day of language school was a test. Thirty minutes, fifty questions. All in German.  Somehow, I guessed enough questions right because when they split us into two classes, I was put in the "advanced" class. Most of the other students in my class have more German experience than I, and a couple of the Americans had even taken German classes in school! However, I have improved a lot, and can now understand and speak simple sentences. My teacher speaks to us in only German, and at home, my family speaks to  me in almost all German so I think that helps me learn faster.

My favourite part about going to language school is seeing the other exchange students. Everyone is so happy and friendly that we've all become friends. After school last week, we went swimming on Monday and Tuesday in Zurich Lake! The water  here is amazing. Fresh Alpwater! I felt like I was swimming in a water bottle (weird analogy, I know) but seriously, there were no jelly fish or crabs or seaweed or anything! It was great! I have also been to a couple pools, and my hostfamily took me to the Halwiler Lake last weekend which was absolutely clear and amazing. I went swimming 6 out of 7 days- and I'm glad because it has been 34+ degree weather since I got here!

This coming week is my last week of Language camp, and then I will start real swiss school in Aarau. Also, my host mom signed me up for soccer, so I have my first practice tomorrow! So far I am loving my exchange, and I will try to post another update soon!

Today's the day.

Today's the day. Today's the day I have to finish packing up my life, today's the day I have to say goodbye to my friends and family, today's the day I spend 10 hours travelling to a new life in Switzerland. I will be at the airport at 4:30 for some tough goodbyes before my flight.

About Me

 If you are reading this, then you might already know me.... but just in case: I am a 17 year old from Charlottetown, Canada, who has been given the amazing opportunity to live in Aarau, Switzerland through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. 

    I live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, with my Mother, Father, Older Brother, and Younger Sister (Todd, Donald, Alexander, Mamie), not to forget our much loved dog, Keigan. It will be hard to live away from my family and friends this year, but I know that we will remain close.

    

    I am very thankful to the Charlottetown Royalty Rotary Club for offering me the chance for such a great experience, and I will be sure to make the best of my year in Switzerland!