How It All Started

A picture speaks a thousand words, but this one just won't stop talking! Every time I look at this picture, something new pops up and reminds me of what I have gone through to get here. This huge adventure (which hasn't even taken off yet) all started with a letter, lots of paperwork, time out of class, and a whole lot of determination. I really wanted to be an exchange student, so with a silent prayer I handed the paperwork to the school secretary. And that is when it all started to happen; after an in-school interview and a home interview I was told to wait by the phone in case I was the lucky person. So at 7:45 pm a few nights after that, the phone rang and I bet you can guess who it was and what it was for.

And so it started... I was an exchange student applicant! ("You are never an exchange student until the wheels take off of the ground with you inside the airplane" -Rotarians). I began attending Rotary meetings and exchange student retreats. The other 50 or so candidates I have known for less than a year and already we feel like family. There is something about camping in the woods, snowboarding in Eastern Oregon, beach sumo wrestling, cramped sleeping quarters, and bonfires; These events will turn strangers into family. If you are reading this I had a great time with you all and will never forget these countless memories.

So why Finland? People still come up to me with a trivia fact about Chile or Argentina because some still think I am going to South America. I chose Finland for a variety of reasons but mainly because of how different it is. They have different weather, foods, LANGUAGE, and schools. Of course South America has all of these differences, but Finland has a culture I have never learned about. Besides, Finland has one of the best education systems in the world, Northern lights, and my city has an old castle in it.

Here I am: 38 more days and I will be saying "Moi! Minä olen Samuel Copelan ja olen Yhdysvallatasta! Ymmarrat?" People say I am crazy and I respond with yes; You have to be a little bit crazy to fly to the other side of the world where everything is new and different and live there for a year. But that is what this world needs; It needs more people who can make a bold and daring leap of faith because these are the people who change the world for the better. I want to thank my Mom, Dad, and family for letting me be able to do this. Rotarians, I am so grateful that you put up with us kids and make this program possible. And other friends and family, thanks for supporting my decision to leave you guys for a year. And for my other family-D5100 Outbounds- are you ready for the best year of our lives?