Have you ever wanted to travel somewhere new? Somewhere mysterious, romantic, intriguing? For example, Paris! Rome, Athens, Nice, London, Beijing, Tokyo! While reading the names of any of those cities, did you think: "Hey, I want to go there!" Well, did you? Now, how do you suppose you're going to get there? When, for what reason, alone or with whom? Sometimes our fantasies about traveling are just that: Fantasies. Yet, other times, they become realities that seem too good to be true.
My name is Lydia Mangan, I am sixteen years old, and I am about to embark on one of the most spectacular years of my life! Sometime in the late Spring of 2011, I walked into my Freshman year English Honors class expecting to receive another list of vocabulary to memorize or a pop quiz on Caesar's death in Shakespeare's play. Instead, I found another guest speaker standing at the front of the class waiting for the tardy bell to ring. Usually we heard from guests about our career or college plans, in other words plans that we don't plan on planning for another year or so. This particular speaker spoke of planning as well, but for something much more appealing and immediate than college or careers to fourteen and fifteen year-olds. She spoke of the local Rotary club's foreign exchange student program.
Now this was something that I had heard about and thought was pretty nifty, but I had never considered being an exchange student myself. Possibilities started popping into my mind. I could dance ballet in France! I could experience the ever-so distinguished culture in Italy! I could follow my Hispanic roots back to Spain! As the speaker's presentation proceeded throughout the hour, I became more and more sure that it was easy enough for me to get out Washington State, explore outside of the USA, and become a part of a completely different society. I was already anticipating my upcoming summer trip to China to perform with Long Beach Ballet, but I realized that my traveling experience wouldn't have to end there or wait to continue many years later. I could be well on my way to expanding my experience, my learning, my sightseeing on a broad scale in very little time! I decided within that class hour that I wanted to travel the world. I wanted to see the sights, learn the language, and meet the people all over this planet!
That day I came home and showed my mom and dad the information about applying to be an exchange student. They were as excited as I was! My dad absolutely loved the idea and really wanted me to be able to receive this opportunity. Later that month my dad passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease (which is why I hate that 'joke' in Ted). To this day I know he is proud that I am on my way to achieving this dream, but I continually wish he were here. Five days after he passed I left Washington to train in California at Long Beach Ballet. Three weeks later, I found myself in China.
China was amazing, but definitely challenged me and my adaptation skills. First off, China was very warm all of the time, day and night. After lightning storms I thought the temperature may have cooled. Did it? Nah. But that was just one of the first of many things to learn about China. China did not smell the same as America, Chinese food (real Chinese food) was much different than any Americanized Chinese food I had ever eaten. I definitely had to open myself up to trying new things. Chinese people do not have the idea "Pedestrians have the right away". Chinese hotels were not always meeting "American standards"'. Don't get me wrong! I'm not saying these are bad things about China. I'm pointing out how different another country can be from what we expect and how much we can learn about these other countries. When you think about it, it's absolutely fascinating! I saw lots of different temples, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. One thing I love about China is that the history goes back so much farther than American history. The buildings and structures are so much older, and carry stories within them. After I returned from this trip, I knew I was going to apply to be an exchange student, no doubt about it. I was filled with a yearning to learn about other countries and to integrate myself further into a different culture.
September of 2011 I submitted an application to my local Rotary club to become an exchange student. In that month I was interviewed for this opportunity. I was nervous for this, but all went well because I was later told I would have a second and very formal interview in December in Canada. This interview was incredibly more nerve racking but also went smoothly. I was asked where I wanted to go, and my top three choices were France, Spain, and Italy. I also had to fill in a paper with my top fifteen choices. I chose countries in Europe because I had already been to Asia, I've always dreamed of going to Europe, and my mom didn't want me going to any countries whose names ended with '-stan'. My mother and I were informed that I would receive a call in two months regarding whether or not I will be going on exchange, and to where I would be exchanged.
February of 2012, my mother and I were driving in the car when my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I knew we had been waiting for a call from the Rotary, so I answered. The Country Officer for Western Europe asked how I would like to go on exchange to France. FRANCE! My breathing pattern changed, my mom saw me tear up and parked the car, and I struggled to find words. Finally I was able to say, "Wow, I don't know what to say!" She asked if she should take that as a 'yes', and of course I said "Yes!". She continued to inform me about the Orientation in Canada the following March and told me about emails I would soon receive. I was so excited and overwhelmed all I can remember is that I nodded my head as my mom repeated, "She can't see you nodding!". As soon as I got home I called friends and family telling them the fantastic news. In March I attended the orientations, became acquainted with the other outbound exchange students in my district, and began to understand the procedure for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Now, I am twenty days away from my departure of the US, waiting to receive my French visa, and couldn't be more excited for my junior year of high school! The Rotary Youth Exchange Program has granted me a lifelong wish of going to France and I am very thankful. Sometimes I wonder why I was chosen to venture to France because so many people wanted to go there, but I am thankful just the same.
Throughout my year abroad I will be sharing my experiences on this blog so that friends, family, teachers, and others can stay updated on my adventures!
With all that said, let the adventure commence!
