Soon-to-be outbound Exchange Student, Elizabeth Nichols, daughter of Jeff and Andrea Amos, spoke about her adventures at the Outbound Exchange Camp at Siloam Springs Arkansas, and ongoing issues with the Spanish consulate in obtaining her student visa at the Aug. 14th meeting. Elizabeth is scheduled to leave for Madrid, Spain this Sept. 6th, and her visa will be ready Sept 12th! All despite working diligently with the State Department and the Spain Consulate, and the Madrid Sponsoring Rotary Host club! Ah,well, Elizabeth seemed to be taking it all in stride. After surviving the week at the Rotary Exchange Camp she feels ready to take on nearly any challenge!
Jeff, Andrea, and Elizabeth have been in Skype contact with the host parents in Madrid and are excited about the year that lies ahead for her. She will attend a local private school with the assistance of the host family, and experience first hand the immersion of the Spanish culture through the education system, living with a host family as one of their own, and travelling with Rotary sponsored groups on tours of Europe that equate to a once in a lifetime experience that right now is so close, yet has many loose ends to tie up. Fingers Crossed for all the pegs to drop into the right slots and the visa and all required documents magically show up when and where needed!
At left, Elizabeth speaks from the podium at the meeting. At right Proud dad, Jeff Amos, Elizabeth Nichols, (r)Youth Exchange Coordinator Jerry Burger.