"I can attest to the fact that opening up my mind and my heart to the idea of my daughter moving to a foreign country for almost a year was not easy.  I didn’t really fear for her safety, as I knew that Rotary was extremely careful with placements, but the thought of her being gone for so long was difficult, as we were/are very close.  As a single parent, I couldn’t imagine life without her for such a long period of time!  I finally realized that the opportunity for her to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience was much more important than my fears of missing her.  This was about HER, not me!"  

Yes, the first month of her being gone was hard, but enthusiastic e-mails and phone calls from her helped with my adjustment.  A trip to visit her in February solidified my comfort…I saw firsthand how much she had grown and how enriching the experience was.  Her hosts were warm and loving, her friends were awesome, and the education she was receiving, both inside and outside of the classroom wildly exceeded our expectations.  The exchange experience was only the beginning of her love for traveling and studying different cultures.  She has returned several times to visit friends and hosts, and they have traveled here to visit us.  She worked for a summer in Denmark, and spent a semester abroad while in college.  She, better than most, learned that there is a huge, interesting, exciting world beyond the United States where ideas can be explored and exchanged, and life-long friendships can be made.  Any individual/family that does not explore the Rotary program is missing the opportunity for a life-changing experience!”  

-Kathy Kolb, mother of Annie, exchange student to Mexico