RYE: Grand Rapids

RYE Conference; 4 rebound students from 6490

Our very last thing as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student (rebound) was to attend this huge exchange student conference in Grand Rapids, at Calvin College. Last summer, right before we had left for our exchange we had attended this same conference -- in prep for what we were about to face during our exchange year. It's a requirement for anybody in central states to attend this conference both right before you go on exchange, and also just when you finish your exchange. I only was home a short few days before traveling to Michigan for the conference during the weekend of July 11th-14th. I was happy to be attending though as it really was a great closing to my entire exchange year. 

Nina (rebound from Japan) and I, D6490 @Grand Rapids

Throughout the weekend we had some different small groups and lectures to listen to about re-adjustments back home and other tips on starting our lives over once again. I think last year as an outbound I had gotten a lot more out of the conference from the classes, but this time I got more out of the social. All of us from my district from D6490 (central Illinois) were all re-united and it was so cool to see how much we had all changed & grown up during our exchanges. I don't think any of us had realized how close we really had gotten the year prior to our exchanges until we were together once again during this weekend. We all hung out together more often than not and it was so nice to be able to get to know everyone for who they have become. They're like my family & I am so thankful to have such an amazing circle of friends in my district!

from left to right: Michael (rebound, france), Me (rebound, finland), Nina (rebound, japan) & Erin (rebound, austria)