Finally I know where I am going!

My district is 3490 to the far right!
 photo: http://1112.ri3520.org/?page_id=1579

I have waited so long! I finally got the documents that tell me who my host family is, what district I'm in, and what city I'm staying in! I emailed my host mom but Taiwan is 12 hours ahead of us so its no wonder she hasn't responded. I'm so excited I feel like I'm finally back on track!  

This is The Cit I'm staying in! New Taipei City, right outside the capital! photo:https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3328472

Finished Pins

I did a post a few months ago about Rotary pin designs, today I (with Willow's help) I made some! I decided to go with the button design because its quick, cheap, and easy. It took me a few tries but I think they turned out really nice. See for yourself:

took me three tries to get the size right

My printed pin design both maps are to scale and the heart is where South Bend is roughly.

My new pin displayed on Willow's decked out Rotary blazer

Blogging before you're there?

To be completely honest, its a requirement to blog in my rotary district. However, that doesn't stop people from not writing blog posts. We (all the students going on exchange 2018-2019) wrote a list of reasons to blog, and there were some really good ones. They were things like "lets friends and family know how their student is without making them homesick" or "provides advice for future exchange students." That makes sense: exchange students should blog. But why blog if you haven't even left? The people who are in charge, who watch students come and go, year after year, say its to build the habit. That seems reasonable even if posts are completely irrelevant to exchange. I must admit, the reason I started blogging is that it was required. The reason I kept blogging is that exchange isn't just the year you are there. It is also all the work that goes in beforehand, the work that will help me get through the hard days in Taiwan because I worked too hard to quit. If you are considering being an exchange student, remember; your struggle will be worth telling. You won't regret it.

Willow's Graduation Party

My family

Today was Willow's graduation party. I think it went really well! It was her idea to have an art gallery setting with her pieces hung up and for sale. She actually made a lot of money! Although she's going to school for civil engineering she sure as a talent for art!

Willow and her piece about youth exchange ;-) 

Great Lakes

The beach we went to. creds: https://www.in.gov/dnr/lakemich/ 

One of the best things about living in the Midwest is the great lakes! Sure lake Ire is polluted pretty badly, but the one I'm most familiar with, Lake Michigan, is pretty darn amazing! I spent today there with some friends, and let me tell you there is nothing like a hot day at Lake Michigan! If you are an exchange student coming to the great lakes region, you definitely have something to look forward to!

Summer School

I have officially completed a week of Summer school. Although I like Summer school's intensive learning, it's not fun when there are blue skies and sunshine outside while we're outside learning about the altitude of triangles and writing proofs. This being said, for anyone considering going on exchange I would highly recommend taking summer school. One nice thing about taking Summer school is that you don't have time to forget the material you learn in between quizzes. Also, you get to meet and hang out with people from other schools. If you're a project-oriented person you would probably like the one subject schedule.

Do you know where you're going yet?

I do not yet know where in Taiwan I'm going. Or any of the details for that matter. When I'm leaving, who my host family is, what district I'm in, or if I have any siblings. None of those questions have been answered. I have friends who found out in where they are going in April! I've got to admit: it's driving me crazy! I'm hoping that I'll hear something soon!

Exchange Cat pouting