Testimonials

 After my exchange trip to North America, my outlook on life changed due to the sudden maturity and new character that I had developed. I had the best time with my host families doing a number of amazing cultural activities, fully emerging myself in the everyday life of an American. It was the best decision I ever made to go on this trip and everyday I look back on the many memories I have. The process was easy and my families where very welcoming making me feel comfortable and at home. 

Kirra S.: Australian Youth Exchange Student

 Γεια σας το όνομά μου είναι Lauren, this meant hello my name is Lauren, when I 17 years old I was an exchange student in Greece. I stayed with 2 different host family's each for 3 weeks. It was extravagant and a definite place to visit, as a exchange student I was able to experience their culture and make new friends. I was offered to attend this exchange program by the Selah Valley Lions Club. Thank you for great experience. 

Lauren A: Exchange Student From USA

 When I first heard about this opportunity, I was eager to get started as soon as possible.I wanted to go on this Youth Exchange because I had always loved to travel. I did an interview during the beginning of my sophomore year to do a year long exchange but I was denied. I then started looking everywhere for different opportunities to travel and gain new experiences. A year later, my school announced that the Lions Club was doing a Youth Exchange and I knew that this would be a perfect thing for me to look at. The process of doing so was very long, and had a lot of papers to fill out. I first had to write an essay to get accepted, and after that I had to make a decision on what countries I would want to go to. My first choice was Italy, and I am thankful I was able to go there. After I had my country chosen, I sent out letters for sponsorships and I chose my camp. I filled out many papers and forms, and as my trip got closer, I bought plane tickets and got everything needed for my trip. The Lions Clubs that sponsored me were Selah Lions Club, Yakima Lions Club, Naches Lions Club, and Naches Sunshine Lions Club. During the first two weeks of my trip, I stayed with Emanuela Capuzzo and her sons Giancarlo and Georgo. We stayed one week in Conselve and the other in Prato. During my time with them we played lots of card games, went into the mountains and into the city. The next two weeks was with the Youth Exchange camp. The group of kids in my camp were from all over and they were all so nice. Our camp was “La Via Francigena” and traveled through Tuscany. We went to Iconic places such as Florence, Pisa and Rome. We also visited smaller cities and saw many churches and museums. One thing I learned from this camp is that no matter how old you are, where your from, or what languages you speak, you can always make friends from everywhere. I myself have made six amazing friends that I will never ever forget. Devon (Canada), Camille (Brazil), Josue (Mexico), Marco (Italy), Zeki (Turkey) and Maks (Poland) are a few of the people that made this camp so much more than just sightseeing. Seeing the amazing sights were so much fun, but being with people that made me laugh and smile at all times of the day made everything 100% better, I couldn’t have asked for a better group of campers travel with. A few of my favorite things on this trip was seeing Pisa, having free time in Florence, going to Seina and seeing Rome with all of my friends. I recommend the Youth Exchange to other kids because it is a great way to bring yourself out of your comfort zone, experience new cultures (not only from the country you choose, but also from the other campers), and you will meet lifelong friends that you wouldn’t expect to make otherwise. 

Montana R.: Exchange Student from USA. July 10-August 12, 2019

 Emanuele B. from Italy. His local hosts, Gig Harbor residents Dr. Baiya and Deborah Krishnadasan delighted in sharing with Emanuele their home, children, friends, and an almost limitless exposure to what makes this part of the US the treasure it is. "Thank you! I had a lot of fun, too. I arrived yesterday at home with no problem. On the flight to Rome I also met a couple from Seattle going to Italy to visit and we spent almost all the flight talking. I hope to keep in contact with you.” "The Lions Club is the biggest international humanitarian association which helps people through prevention campaigns, food collections and other services. One of their most popular activities is the Youth Exchange Program enabling teenagers to go abroad and stay in other countries for a month. Hosted by local families, they visit places and meet new people. The program's main aim is cultural exchange both for the kids who learn about the country they visit, and for the host families who learn something about the teenager's nation and culture." Emanuele, a medical student from Italy, arrived in the USA July 26 and, after spending two weeks in Spokane, moved to Gig Harbor. August 29 he returned to Italy where he will begin six years of medical school at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Catholic University of Sacred Heart) in Rome, Italy. He aspires to become a neurosurgeon and has been on this path for the past five years in high school grades 9-13, one more year than we have. Spent four days in Glacier National Park in Montana in an RV with the Smiths. “I didn’t expect to find bears in the US and I was a little bit scared of them so I went around with my bear bell in one hand and a bear spray in the other,” he said. "The landscape was breathtaking.” 

Emanuele B