Incoming Exchange Student: Chantel Marion

The following is an excerpt of the speech Chantel gave to the Rotary Club of Marion prior to her return to Canada in June 2008.

 

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Good Evening Rotarians, Honorary Members and Guests.

My departure from home to leave on exchange never really clicked in until a morning that I was leaving. Crying in the airport and saying goodbye to my family wasn’t easy. When it came time to cross through the security area, where only the passengers are allowed, I knew my time had arrived. After heaps of hugs and kisses I finally walked through security and as I was walking to board the plane I thought to myself, is this really what I want to do or should I just turn around and catch up with my mom and dad. I kept on thinking that if I don't decide soon they’d be gone and then I’d have to wait until they got home and tell them to come back and get me. Soon enough it was my turn to hand my ticket over and so I did. And it was the best thing I ever did and it’s all thanks to you. As soon as I arrived and there were all these people at the airport waiting for me I knew I was in good hands. Even though I didn’t have any luggage I knew everything would be okay.

I know everyone must think that I’m packed and ready to go but what you don’t know is how much you could get for a plane ticket to Canada on e-bay. Wow I can have heaps of fun for a long time. When I told my parents that I sold my ticket they were ok with it, only because they are enjoying their time alone. So Chris and Bruce you are first up, I’m moving back in with you and I’ll just do the rounds again. But now on a seriously note, if it wasn’t for my family and friends, I wouldn’t want to go home. This year has just been too good and words alone can’t describe how I feel. Everyone here has just been unbelievable. Your generosity has been so incredible and I never ever dreamt this could happen. You have done so many things for me and have done everything to make my stay the best that it could be. I’m going to miss everyone so much when I leave. There are just so many people I would like to thank for making me have the best year of my life. Such a memorable time that I will never forget.

Darrell thank you for organizing everything. When I first got an email from you with all the information about where I was going, I was literary jumping for joy, I ran upstairs to my parents and made them come down and read the email with me. We were so excited and Darrell you have made it all possible. I bet organizing all my things before I arrived wasn’t the easiest thing to do but I really appreciate it. Providing me with a mobile, computer, bank accounts was just great. Signing all the paperwork for my exchange student events and trips that I wanted to take .With the help of Margaret, thank you for organizing rides to get me from here to there, my 18th birthday party, surfing lessons, my parents welcoming party, and my farewell party. Also thank you to Chris and Kat. Chris thank you for helping me with all my computer problems and even tonight Chris is here in case anything goes wrong. Kat, thank you for being a good friend, taking me out all the time and introducing me to your mates. Once again thank you.

 

To my host parents you have been just fantastic, Chris and Bruce, Helen and Stephen, Jenny and Des, and Robyn and David you have all been amazing. You took me in like I was one of your own. You did everything for me and helped me in ever way I needed. I felt so much like a part of your family it was just like being at home. It was such an honour to be a part of your families. I have learnt so many things from all of you by seeing how each household does things differently. Every three months when it came time to move it was a very hard for me as I was getting so use to being in your families. But now I will always feel like part of your family even though I’m not living with you. You have been an inspiration and such a big part of my life and I thank you so much for everything you have done for me.

I never thought that I would have so many host brothers and sisters. At home I definitely was good with only one sister, never mind having like 13 host siblings. Now I wish I had more brothers and sisters at home as it’s going to be quite quiet as my sister just moved out and bought a house and I’ll be the only child at home. But anyway it was so nice to have met each of you and to learn heaps from you all. We have had many good times together; I’m definitely going to miss having all of you around. So if you do need some time away from your other brothers or sisters you can always come and see me. Thank you for everything you have done for me as well

Thank you to all the Rotarians for everything. I always looked forward to coming to Rotary on Monday nights to see all of you and of course to have a chicken snitzel and chips. It was wonderful to meet every one of you. Your generosity and time to get together with me was much appreciated. I enjoyed getting to you know and your families more then just what happened at Rotary. Whether it was tea, the movies, bike riding, or soccer games it was great. It’s so nice to look at a picture and not just know your name but now know something about you. Thank you.

During my year I learnt heaps about Rotary. As you know since I was little I have been involved in Rotary, doing the highway clean up, attending RYLA camp, then being a counsellor for RYLA, and helping out in Rotary events. But the only time I really attended a Rotary meeting was when our Exchange Student, Lexi, from 25 years ago would come and visit or when I had to give a speech. In all those years I knew the main idea of Rotary but never saw the behind the scenes of Rotary. The amount of work that everyone does for a Rotary event and the effect the events have on other people’s lives. I feel that I have been involved in Rotary events, for instance the Donations in Kind, Rypen, Beach Bonanza, Tafe Dinner, and Exchange. I hope now that I can put more into my Rotary club back at home and hope for the best that someday I will be a Rotarian.

 

The welcoming of my parents was unbelievable as was the BBQ that Darrell and Margaret organized, it was great. I know my parents and I weren’t expecting any thing like that. The hospitality and kindness that you showed my parents was wonderful and I appreciate everything that the club did to make their stay the best it could be. Going to Victor Harbor, wineries, out for tea, tours of Adelaide and Cleland wildlife park (twice because we lost the camera), swimming with the dolphins. And I big thanks to Jenny and Des to lending us their home, that was amazing. I was actually scared that my parents were never going to leave after staying there. We had such a good time and it was all because of you.

School here is very different then back at home. I went to school with almost all the same people from kindergarten to year 12. So going to a new school and not knowing anyone there was a big step for me. I think my first day of school was one of my hardest days of my year. But since that day, it’s been good. I enjoyed getting the opportunity to take classes that I never got to participate in because I was too busy taking academic courses. But taking Food and Hospitality, tourism, photography, music, and legal studies have given me interests in other areas. I think that my favourite class was food and hospitality preparing, presenting and eating different foods each week was a treat. Making salt and pepper squid, Mars Bar Cheesecake, homemade pasta where just some of the things we got to make. My teachers were always interested in things back in Canada and even try to make funny jokes about where I come from and make fun of my accent. For instance, Shane, my legal studies teacher, would tell the class that we were in cold Moose Jaw while we were going through our heat wave.

A big part of my exchange here has also been making new friends. Whether they were friends from school, or outside of school, I have made so many good friends that I hope one day they will all come to Canada. Hanging out with my friends in or out of school has made the time fly by. It feels like some of the friends that I have made here I have known forever. I have become quite close to them and they have accepted me for who I am. I am definitely going to miss them heaps.

Not only have I made heaps of friends from Australia but meeting other exchange students that have come to Australia has made it a great year as well. I have met so many other students from all over the world that now I have the bug to travel and will have to go and visit them all. I’ve become friends with them and learnt about them and where they are from. I would have never have thought that we would have so many things in common with each other. No one except exchange students would understand what we went through to be were we are today. To have friends who think and feel the same as I do in certain situations is a good thing. I know that when we have no one to turn to in bad situations at home my exchange friends will understand how I feel. We had an awesome time on our three exchange weekends together which included the district conference, Wellington, Lameroo, and spending three weeks together on the safari. It was such a privilege to get to know these students who are now good friends.

The Rock'n'Reef Safari was a huge adventure that I was so lucky to go on. Seeing what Australia has to offer people, from the coast to the rainforest to the outback desert. I never thought that Australia was that big until I had to wake up between 4 and 6 in the morning to start driving to our destination. On a world map Australia looks so small but really its not, it’s a big place and not only that but it has a lot of big fruit like bananas, pineapples and mangos. Some of the things we did were touring Sydney, surfing in Byron bay, shopping in Surfer's Paradise, Dream world, Singing karaoke, ocean rafting and snorkelling at Airlie's beach, Bush camping at Devils Marbles, helicopter ride over kings canyon, didgeridoo show, visiting reptile museums, going on a camel ride, climbing Uluru, and sleeping underground in Coober Pedy. We not only had a remarkable time seeing Australia but having fun with the other exchange students on the bus or at night activities like black and white garbage bag dress up and Pricilla night and dressing up all the boys. It was a major highlight of my time being here. I have seen heaps and now that there is still a lot more to see. This means I’ll just have to come back and see the rest of what Australia has to offer. So you are not getting rid of me that fast.

My exchange has been such a big part of my life, a time that I will never forget. I have learnt so much and have met so many people. I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity to go on exchange and I’m so grateful that I got the chance to come here. This was such an opportunity of a lifetime. I feel like I have accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. I think I have grown up so much and appreciate more then I ever did. After being away from my family for a year I now feel that I’m capable of doing anything and that I don’t need to depend on anyone anymore. Travelling through four different cities and layovers in airports for hours was the first thing that I accomplished and knowing that my mom wouldn’t even do that by herself, I believe it was a big thing to do. I never liked speaking in front of people and whenever I did I would have a piece of paper in front of me. Here I can just stand up and probably talk about anything and the only reason why I have this one is so I don’t forget anything because I may not have the chance to say it again. I feel like I can relate to people of all ages now.
 

To the Rotary Club of Marion I would like to thank you for everything you have done for me. I greatly appreciate it. You have taken me in and have given me the opportunity of a lifetime. This was so much more then I have ever thought of. You even argued about what footy team I should follow, so sorry to all the non-crows fans but I have to say that ever since I bought my crows jumper and went to a crows game I have became a true crows fan. I think I’m the luckiest person ever to have come here and meet you all. I will never forget the time that I have had here. I will miss you so much and now I will have nothing to do on a Monday night. If any of you are ever in Canada my house, well my parents house, is always open to you. Having doing so much for me it’s the least I can do. If you come to Canada and you don’t come and visit me, you will have some explaining to do. LOL! I know when I go home I will be visiting family and friends and will be either getting a job or going to university but I will try my hardest to keep in touch as much as I can.

Thank you