Outbound Exchange StudentsEtta's Report on Japan  
Etta Leedy joined us from Japan, and Kenza Russell joined us from her house in Holland. In fact, everyone joined from their homes or offices because of the major winter storm. When Etta arrived in Japan, she was greeted by a large group of Rotarians who were holding up posters with her face on them. Her welcome continued to be warm and inviting. Her first host family planned activities before school started, attending a festival and climbing the nearby mountain to tour the temples. She got a special welcome from the English club when she started school. The school year started with a competition in culture and sports. The school was divided into small teams that competed. Etta's team won! Her current family bought her a bicycle so she can travel to and from school. It takes 40 minutes, which is the same amount of time it would take to ride the train to school. She has lived with 3 different families so far. She had to move out earlier than planned because of a family emergency and spent a few weeks with a family. Her first family had a pet rabbit (named Peter). Her current family has 2 dogs, one of which likes to get into her room and create a mess. She now has a gate outside her room. On Halloween, she and some friends dressed up and went to a mall. There is no tradition of trick-or-treat. Her current host mother performed the traditional tea ceremony in her honor. Etta has travelled to Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo so far. She was particularly moved by the museum at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. In Tokyo she had the opportunity to read English books to a class, so they could hear the sound of an American. Kenza's exchange country revealEmily TenBrink gave Kenza hints as to where she will spend the next school year. She failed to guess, but was extremely excited to find that she will be in Brazil.
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