It’s been over a year now that I’ve been back in
Canada and it’s hard to realize how fast the year flew by! June 13 struck my 1-year back
mark and my exchange seems like a lifetime away now. My rebound year really took me through the
ringer at some points as I hated the fact that I had to be in Canada again. But by January things finally started to turn
around for me. I knew I had to let go of
the past and move on to enjoy what was ahead in my future. I made some changes and promises to myself
that have improved my outlook on my life and I can finally say that I am
extremely content in my Canadian life again.
I barely find myself telling people about my
exchange anymore, only if conversation about travelling comes up then I’m able
to share some of my experiences. I
decided that after my first semester I needed to really put my priorities back
in order. I hadn’t done as well in
school as I had hoped to and I finally came to the conclusion that I was
not going back to Chile anytime soon. I
focused my attention back onto school, family, friends, and being active
again. A few goals later I managed to
get through my second semester of university with a higer average and even
managed to make it onto my university cheerleading team for next year! Life was finally turning around for me and I
knew that I had been holding on to my memories of Chile for too long and living
in the dream world of exchange and what ifs.
The rebound year of exchange was the worst part of
the exchange process, but in the end it really benefited me personally as I was
able to learn from it and make changes by my own means. I’ve been able to talk to some excited
outbounds from my district on their “Announcement Day”, answering questions
about South America, the culture, what kinds of things should I bring, etc. When they would ask how it was being back you
never really wanted to tell them the truth, yes… it sucks, but it gets
better. I’m just so excited that they
are just starting on their adventure of exchange, fresh eyes going into a new
journey.
Since Rotary was so good to me all my exchange years
my parents decided that we would host an exchange student this past year. I was so excited; although I would be off at
university all year I was still able to come back home and hangout with my
exchange brother. Caio from Brazil
joined our family on December 26th (same date I switched families….
Weird), and it’s been quite fun having a little brother around. I really only got to hangout with him when I
was finished school in April to May, but I sure will miss him! I cannot stress enough how important it is to
have great host-families. I knew my family
was fun, adventurous, and fair when it came to rules and that they would be
excellent host-parents. We’re hoping a
trip to Brazil will be in the future!
Caio and I reppin our Rotary blazers
As for me right now I can only say that I’m yet on
another adventure! This summer I landed
a job working for Ontario Parks doing a travelling “Learn To Camp”
program. My co-worker and I have been
travelling from Sudbury area provincial parks and will make our way up to
Kenora (near Winnipeg) teaching families the basics of camping. A job that allows me to travel to places I’ve
never been to before – perfect! I’m so lucky to once again have an experience
that allows me to travel. Although I’m
constantly dreaming of what could be my next adventure abroad, I’m finding it
so special to be able to travel in my own province and see things and parts
that I’ve never seen before. I’m already
about 1,500 kilometres away from home at the moment in Thunder Bay, and have never
been this far North ever! Throughout the
summer we’ve been camping in different provincial parks or staying at staff houses,
constantly changing location, scenery, and park staff friends every week or
so. I’m so happy to still be able to
live somewhat of a travelling life! If you're interested you can follow our travelling adventures through our twitter... https://twitter.com/Learn2CampNorth
My co-worker (Shelby) and I at Pancake Bay Provincial Park
And with that I believe this brings an end to my
Chile-blogging days. I am no longer an
exchange student and I’ve made it to the end of my rebound-year. I hope through my writing and pictures I have
showed a side of Chile and exchange life that has inspired and has been
positive. Thank you everyone who has
actually taken the time to read my posts and especially to those who have been
there for me during all the emotional train-wrecks. My exchange year in Chile was truly
unforgettable. I will always keep those
memories and friendships close to my heart forever.
