Bonjour, Good Morning, Buenos Dias, Dobraj ranicy, 你好 [nǐ hăo] , Goddag, Päivää, Bom dia, Chao … Did you ever get together 30 differents nationalities in the same place? Rotary District 1660 did it during a whole week-end in Paris March 27th-29th. The aim of this huge event, called « Journées Rotariennes de la Jeunesse » (JRJ), was to bring together in one place all the Students Exchanges currently hosted by French Rotary Clubs. For the year 2013-2014, France is welcoming more than 500 young persons, aged between 15 and 18 years. They are coming from all around the World. Three important moments gave JRJ the tempo, - The group photo in front of the Eiffel Tower and the conference at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council on Saturday morning, - The Paris tour by tourist river boat « bateau mouche » , and - The Gala reception in the Marriott Hotel on Saturday night During this celebration at the Marriott Hotel, we were more than 1 000 guests to attend the Students Shows. Indeed, each District’s group of Students had prepared a performance and it was amazing. They were very proud to offer their show to the Rotarians who gave them the opportunity to come in France this year. Rotary Youth Exchange program is an opportunity of a lifetime, One former exchange student said: « My youth exchange year was one of the most incredible Year of my life. It change myself and help me to growth. In addition to see so much of the rest of the world, and making such wonderful friends, I changed in ways I never thought it were possible. I am more confident and positive now when I’m meeting new people. I have greater ability to empathize with others and to put myself in their place when making judgments. I have greater willingness to take on roles and tasks to which I am unaccustomed. I have more ability to see myself objectively, in a more realistic context. I understand more fully my own strengths and weaknesses. I am more tolerant in ambiguous situations and more open to differing interpretations of them. I feel greater respect and appreciation for my family. And most of all, I feel more surely the common bonds that unites all human beings. Thank you, Rotary for the best year of my life. »
FRANCE