Over the years, the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert has been very fortunate to host many exceptional Rotary Exchange students from around the world - Spain, France, Brazil, Australia, and now Taiwan - to name a few. As one student arrives for a year of unknowns, one student leaves after discovering a whole new world away from home.
I had the opportunity to meet with an incredible student just before he left to rejoin his family and friends in Spain.
CATCHING UP with Alejandro (Alex) Canet Ramo
Alex talks about his exchange year in Prince Rupert.
Alex, how was your school year?
My grade eleven was in two semesters, the first one I took PE, Science, Social Studies and French. (click on more for pictures and to read the rest of his interview)
The second semester I took Math and photography (I finished with 89%) and I had an English study period. I am lucky I don’t have to repeat my year because I passed all my courses, I go straight into grade 12 when I get home.
Tell us about your host families.
For the first three months I was with Rob, Constance and Athena Eby then for the next three and a half months I was Karen and Tony Basso and the last four months I was with Kelly, Helina Geske, Joshua and Casey Sawchuk. I will have spent a total of 345 days in Canada.
What was the best part of your year?
I think the best part of the year was the BC Tour trip. It was fun to get together with the other exchange students and to see so many different places in the province. We also got to go to Banff, Jasper and Lake Louise in Alberta. I also got to go snowboarding a few times, I had never tried it before. Also being part of the Rugby team was great.
What are you looking forward to the most when you get home?
Seeing my friends and family. When I get home I will only be there for a couple of days and then my family and I will be traveling for the next four weeks to see the rest of my family. It should be a good trip.
What do you think will be the most memorable things of your year?
My host families for sure, playing rugby, seeing all the deer and the maple syrup.
How do you think you have changed during your year?
I’m not so shy as I was when I got here, I think I’ve got more confident, I’m fine with the girls now and I’ve got taller.
If you could have changed anything, what would it be?
I would have made the exchange year longer and I would have got involved with more sports. It would have been nice to have other exchange students closer to me, either in Prince Rupert or Terrace, so we could get together. I would have also liked to have gone to Alaska and go golfing.
Do you recommend the Rotary exchange program?
Yes, for sure, in fact my younger brother is looking into it for next year. Maybe he will come to Prince Rupert too.
What are your future education plans?
I’d like to go to university to take a Tourism program because I really enjoyed traveling this year. I think this would be a good job for me.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
I’m going to miss Prince Rupert and all the people, I want to come back for sure. I want to thank Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert for this opportunity, I had a great year.
Alex, the Rotary Club of Prince Rupert wishes you happiness and good fortune in your future plans. Keep us close in your memories and if you find yourself back in British Columbia, please plan to come back to Prince Rupert, we'd love to hear how you're doing.
