The Rotary Club of Calgary West welcomed a great turnout for Monday’s meeting, highlighted by a memorable presentation from returning outbound exchange student Sofia Baez Vasquez, who recently returned from her year-long Rotary Youth Exchange in Japan.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to welcome our newest inbound exchange student from Brazil, reconnect with several returning Club members and guests, and hear about a number of upcoming volunteer and fundraising opportunities.
A Year of Discovery, Challenge and Friendship
Sofia’s presentation offered a fascinating and personal look at her year living and attending school in Nagasaki, Japan. She described arriving in August with tremendous excitement, but also some apprehension about living in a different country, learning a new language and adapting to an unfamiliar culture.
Those concerns soon gave way to an extraordinary year filled with new friendships, cultural experiences, school activities and Rotary adventures.
Among her many experiences were participating in her school’s cultural festival, joining the calligraphy club, attending sporting events, celebrating the Lantern Festival, enjoying Japanese baseball, fishing with her host family and seeing the famous cherry blossoms.
She also experienced several different host-family environments, including living with a family connected to a Buddhist temple. Each experience gave her a different perspective on Japanese culture and family life.
Rotary Made the Difference
A major theme of Sofia’s presentation was the role Rotary played throughout her exchange.
Through Rotary, she travelled with other exchange students, visited places including Sasebo, Okinawa, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, and attended the national exchange-student convention in Fukuoka.
She emphasized that some of her most meaningful experiences came from meeting other exchange students from around the world. Those friendships helped her realize that every student experiences an exchange differently and that she did not have to try to make her experience “perfect.”
One of her most important personal lessons was learning to be herself.
Sofia explained that she initially felt she needed to adapt completely to Japanese culture and carefully control her personality. Over time, she realized that an exchange is a two-way cultural experience: while she was learning about Japan, she was also there to share her own culture and personality.
That realization helped her become more confident, make more friends and get more out of the experience.
More Than a Trip
Sofia said that the people she met are what she will miss most about Japan. Her host families, Japanese classmates and fellow exchange students became an important part of her life, and she hopes to maintain those relationships and eventually return to Japan.
She also reflected on the differences between Japan and Canada, including school life, public transportation, language, social customs and everyday culture.
Her experience reinforced an important Rotary Youth Exchange objective: building understanding and empathy across cultures by creating genuine personal relationships.
During the question period, Sofia also spoke about her plans for the future. She intends to continue her relationship with Rotary and is particularly interested in supporting future inbound and outbound Youth Exchange students.
That may prove to be one of the most rewarding outcomes of her exchange: a student who benefited from Rotary now wants to help create the same experience for others.
In recognition of her presentation, the Club made a donation to ShelterBox on Sofia’s behalf.
Welcoming Our Newest Exchange Student
The Club also welcomed its newest inbound exchange student Maria Fernanda from Brazil. Members had an opportunity to meet her and begin making her feel at home in Calgary.
She is already making a strong impression, and members were encouraged to think about ways they can help her experience as much of Canada as possible during her exchange year.
She is scheduled to speak to the Club at the last Monday meeting in September, when members will have an opportunity to learn more about her background, interests and hopes for her Canadian experience.
Club Announcements
Several upcoming activities and volunteer opportunities were highlighted:
Casino Fundraiser – August 23–24
The Club’s upcoming casino fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, August 23 and 24. Thanks were extended to members who have already volunteered, although approximately four or five additional volunteers were still needed at the time of the meeting. Members able to help were encouraged to contact the organizers as soon as possible.
Muja Mosaic Summer Wind-Up – August 22
Members were reminded of an opportunity to volunteer at the Muja Mosaic summer wind-up and barbecue on Saturday. Members interested in helping were asked to contact Kim at Muja Mosaic, following the information circulated by email.
Blue Flame – August 21
Members were encouraged to join fellow Rotarians at the Blue Flame on Friday for another opportunity to socialize and support the Club's fellowship activities.
Bingo Fundraiser – August 30
The Club’s next bingo fundraiser will take place on Sunday, August 30. This will be the Club’s first Sunday-morning bingo. Volunteers will meet at Denny’s at 7:00 a.m. before heading to the bingo.
A reminder will be circulated to members before the event.
RAYEC Camp a Success
Members also heard that the RAYEC camp concluded successfully on Saturday.
Despite less-than-ideal weather, the camp had a very positive week, with great campers, excellent youth leaders and all the volunteers needed to operate the program.
Calgary West was recognized as one of the supporters of this year’s camp, and appreciation was expressed to the Club for its contribution.
Together, we continue to make a difference in our community and around the world.
