Hello Clearwater!
I am writing a letter a couple of days after my exchange year ended in Clearwater. To be honest, at first, I wanted to go to a big city where I thought I can have a lot more opportunities in a big city and that I can meet more people.
I did not expect that coming into this little town will give me so many memories and so many reasons to stay that I never wanted to leave.
I made friendships that I think will last for a lifetime, got to try out so many new things that other exchange students never get to experience, like flying in a helicopter, seeing so many beautiful waterfalls with Wells Gray Air, getting involved in many school and Rotary events.
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I really appreciate the fact that my host parents accepted me into their homes as their own daughter.
I will always respect them for this! Looking back now, leaving my home and my family was easy because I knew I could go back anytime and the people at home will stay the same. And it happened to me like that.
When I went to the airport in Kamloops with my last host family and my friends on July 4, I was very sad and quiet the day before because I remembered all the good memories I have now and another family on the other side of the world.
These 10 months felt like a dream that I never wanted to wake up from and now I am back in reality in my home town. Deciding to do the exchange program was a very good idea and I don’t regret any moment of it.
My highlights are getting to know the wonderful people in town, getting involved with the community, exploring the beautiful area around me, going for road trips to Victoria or Vancouver with my host parents.
Every single day at least once I think about Clearwater and check my pictures on my shelves. I am glad that I took this opportunity and that I will surely be back sooner or later.
Réka Cséfai
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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