Mia Henderson, 2019-20 Youth Exchange Student from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Madrid, Spain
When I was 16, Rotary offered me a chance to experience life beyond anything I had known before. After attending a meeting about Rotary Youth Exchange, I decided to apply to study in Spain.
It took months of hard work to prepare. But before I knew it, it was time to pack up my things and leave. I arrived for my 2019-20 exchange in an unfamiliar country, meeting people I didn’t know, who spoke a language I didn’t speak well. But even though this was my most difficult path yet, I was at peace.
Benefits
When I count all the benefits of that year, one is at the top of the list. I made the most friends I’ve ever had in my life. And I mean real friends, ones I still call a year and a half later every week. Friends that I can sit in silence with and be content.
The second host family I stayed with on exchange has a daughter moving out to Georgia from Madrid to go to college, right next door. I plan to meet her at the airport and she will be staying with me until she gets settled on campus. I am lucky enough to have two more built-in families now.
Confidence and self esteem
Before my exchange, I faced internal struggles that revolved around eating, or more specifically not eating. By far the biggest struggle of my youth had been learning to love myself and the way I looked.
The culture in Spain is built around love and food. This extends even to those who are not part of the immediate family, something I never experienced in the US. Whether that be waking up to a big hug from my brand new host sister, or an invitation to a lovely dinner with my Rotary Club (Club Rotario de Tres Cantos, Madrid), Estaba feliz (I was happy!).
Being able to spend time with such caring people opened my eyes to my eating disorder. I honestly don’t know if I would have gained the self-confidence to beat the disorder had I not gone to Spain. Feeling that much kindness and genuine love in my life taught me there is so much more to the world than what you eat.
