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Column: Friendships the best souvenir, says exchange student

Bonsoir from Nancy, France! My move from my second to my third host family was among a swirl of activity. On my last weekend with my second host family, they took me to Versailles. The castles were breathtakingly lavish and rich with history.
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High school student Giorgia Apolloni has been chronicling for NorthernLife.ca her adventures in France for much of the past year as part of the Rotary Club's student exchange program. Photo supplied
Bonsoir from Nancy, France! My move from my second to my third host family was among a swirl of activity. On my last weekend with my second host family, they took me to Versailles. The castles were breathtakingly lavish and rich with history.

Right on the heels of returning from this trip, I ventured to my last home. I barely had time to unpack before I was off on the Rotary Exchange Euro tour.

This tour brought me through places I had only dreamed of, such as the Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

I was able to experience gondola rides in Venice, Expo Milano and even the glacier in Chamonix. We toured the United Nations, where I felt a strong sense of pride and patriotism for Canada.

Although most of these places had spectacular scenery, I left still feeling quite partial to France. I am very happy that this is where I spent my year.

My third host family took me to Disneyland for the first time ever in my life. It was super fun. Everything was in French and there was music everywhere, as if you were in the films yourself. I even treated myself to an engraved tiara as a souvenir.

This week I participated in my first-ever running race. It was a five-kilometre fun-filled race called the “Colour Run.”

As my time grows shorter in France, I have begun feeling the pressure of departing. I just had the last reunion with the exchange students.

At this reunion, I learned what I feel is a big lesson from a friend.
He told me that at the beginning of his exchange, he did not come for the people, he came for the exchange. He said he never intended to become so close to people.

I've encountered my best friends here. I fell in love, I felt alive. When I arrived, I had intended to learn a language and culture that would aid me in my future, but it's the people I will remember the most.

The people I have met here are my memories – ones I will never forget. They are like souvenirs you bestowed upon your heart. These are the things that last through the centuries.

I feel like it's a long goodbye, but I know that I will cherish and embrace every moment I have left with them.

I understand that my exchange is over soon, but as they say in France, "C'est la vie.” As always, my thanks go to the Sudbury Rotary clubs for allowing me to experience this tremendous adventure.

Lockerby Composite School student Giorgia Apolloni is attending school in France as part of a Rotary Club exchange program. She's been sending us regular columns, detailing her experiences.

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