Kelly Ernst - Hey- Wait one second- Im in…. Switzerland?!

Hello Steamboat Springs Rotary!
HOW IS STEAMBOAT?! I'm sure you are all curious as to whats been going on in the land of cows, cheese, and chocolate. And I would Love to inform you!

I've been living the good life these past two months in Switzerland, that is for sure. The country  is just INCREDIBLE! The Rotary here has given all the exchange students in Switzerland and Abonnment General, and that is basically a card that lets you ride any train, bus, or ferry in all of Switzerland for free. So I have been exploring the lakes and small villages of Switzerland with some other exchange students, and that has been incredible.

School has started and it is going very well. I find it difficult because, even though my french is improving dramatically, and causal conversational skills are well up to par- I have a VERY difficult time understanding my classes and teachers. So most of the day, I end up either copying down mindlessly what the teacher writes on the board, or just sitting there trying to be as least lost as possible. Another thing that is difficult, is that despite the fact that I have talked to the majority of my teachers, I still don't know exactly what is to be expected of me in school. By this I mean, should I try to understand and eventually get "it" or should I be rigourusly studying to keep up with the rest of the students in my class. I try to ask around- but I have yet to pose my questions in just the right way as to where I recieve the right answer.

But other than that, everything else in school is great. My class (And here, they have one single class in which they rotate toghether to the differant teachers, similar to elementary school in the states) is incredibly kind and encouraging of my …slightly imperfect french skills. Im taking a lot of classes here. 13 to be exact! My favorite is photography! It has inspired me to take a lot of really cool pictures!
Here is the link to them :

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5244706&id=604374606&ref=fbx_album

But Switzerland is going great! And I'll be sure to keep you updated!

BÉRÉNICE RIOUX - First days in Steamboat Springs.

Hello,
I'm Bérénice, your new exchange student from France! I've probably never even met some of you during Rotary events or meetings, but I'm sure all of you want to know more about myself.

Firstly I come from France and more exactly from Bordeaux, a famous city for its wine. But I don't like red Bordeaux wine.. Sorry! I'm not going to tell you everything about my city because I will do that in my presentation in November. And I want you to come!

I am 17 and I have graduated high school in France. That's why I decided leaving for a year as an exchange student before starting college would be a good idea.
What more?
Morevoer I like horses. In France I used to practice horse riding once a week. I also like dancing. Actually I danced for 11 years. That's why I'll be happy if I could take part in the dance showcase at the high school.
What more? Shopping and fashion are ones of my hobbies as well as travels.

But you may wonder: Why the USA? I think there are two main reasons.
When I will come back in France, I will get in a business school to work in the domain of the international business. That's why it's very important for me to improve my English.
The second reason is that I want to learn more about the American culture which is, by many aspects, the origin of the new European culture.

I hope I replied here to the majority of your questions about me! And even if I don't, i will be glad to answer you during the next Rotary meetings.
Bérénice.