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EXCHANGE STUDENT

Stamford teen is spending a year in Brazil

Soon to be 17-year-old Kelsie Laing of South Kortright, a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Stamford, is experiencing a dream come true.

"I always wanted to be a Rotary exchange student," Kelsie told The Evangelist from Joao Pessoa, Brazil, where she is spending the year studying as an exchange student as part of Rotary International's Rotary Youth Exchange program. "This year my schedule really cleared up to make it possible."

Rotary International is a foundation consisting of 1.2 million volunteers who work locally, regionally and internationally to fight hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training and promote peace.

The organization also offers a number of youth programs and services, including the Youth Exchange Student program, where students spend up to a year living with host families and attending school in a different country.

Perfect fit
For Kelsie, after graduating early from South Kortright Central School, where she was named valedictorian, the Rotary Youth Exchange Student was a good next step.

"I didn't want to go to college so soon, so it all worked out," she explained.

Kelsie will attend Elmira College when she returns from Brazil; she plans to major in psychology. However, she noted, "I am also going to minor in bilingual education, which may turn out to be my major if all goes well with my attempt at Portuguese." 

Education has always been high on Kelsie's list of values.

"The importance of schoolwork was always stressed in my family," she explained. "My parents always encouraged my sister and I to do our best, as all parents do, but I just knew that the more effort I put into my education, the easier things would be later in life.

"Also, I enjoy learning, so it is not something I have to force myself to do. That plays a major part in my successes in high school. One of the things I dislike the most is quitting."

Kelsie hopes to use her year in Brazil as a starting point for her future.

Typical teen?
When she is not studying or learning Portuguese, Kelsie considers herself a typical teenager: She pointed to hanging out with her friends, going to the movies, shopping and reading as favorite hobbies, but noted that she also loves to be active and try new things.

"Today, I learned how to windsurf," she added.

Despite all her success and new experiences, Kelsie has remained grounded and continues to depend on God.

"Being in Brazil alone means I have to believe that God will watch over me," she said. "Where I am now is a dream, and He is taking care of me. 

"I still can't believe how lucky I am to be experiencing all of this, so mostly I just trust that things will work out, even if they seem not to. Although I haven't experienced it yet, I know that there will be times in my year abroad that will be hard, and I will want to go home. But my faith will help to keep me strong."

(08/20/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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