Write a commentKellye Buckelew, mother of Rotary exchange student Nya Buckelew spoke at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Oswego held at Bishop’s Commons.
Buckelew, a student at Oswego High School has been residing in Porvoo, Finland since last August as a Rotary exchange student.
Buckelew began her presentation by reading a very informative and insightful message to the Rotary Club from her daughter. Although she was homesick at first, she clearly soon matured into the experience and is amazed that the time passed so quickly and sorry that it will soon come to an end. She wrote glowingly of her host parents and siblings and her affection for all that she has seen and done in Porvoo, especially its architecture. Her host family and the area Rotary clubs have been most generous in taking her on many trips and excursions to Norway, Sweden, Italy, Helsinki, and Lapland, to name a few. She has tried cross country skiing and skating and saw the Northern Lights from Norway. Near the end of her time abroad she will travel with other exchange students from all over the world to many other European countries under the guidance of Rotary International.
Although Buckelew is learning the Finish language, she found that the native students study English, so she has been helpful to them as they help her with Finish. She enjoys her school which has an open campus, meaning that students can go home during the day when they don’t have class. Her classes include English, Finish, science, global studies, and art. Many classes are offered that prepare students with entry skills if they have identified career choices and do not plan to go to college. Schools hold an annual formal dance, but unlike the American prom, it is preceded by instruction in dance and etiquette and is a dignified affair.
Buckelew has found differences between the Finish culture and Oswego where she grew up. Finish people only drive cars for long trips. For normal daily travels locally they either walk or ride bicycles. Buckelew walks to school. Some unfamiliar foods took some getting used to and the fact that Fins use less seasoning in their foods. She found some of their practices in the sauna off-putting, but she loved the way they celebrate Christmas with quiet activities, tea, exchange of gifts but with much less commercialism.
The presentation concluded with a slide presentation showing scenes of Finland. The Buckelews will soon go to Finland to visit their daughter and her host family. The exchange student experience ends on June 29 when Buckelew will leave Finland to return to Oswego.
Anyone interested in becoming a Rotarian or in learning more about Rotary’s humanitarian work around the world and in the community or in learning about the Rotary Exchange Student program is invited to attend a meeting of the Oswego Rotary Club any Tuesday at noon at Bishop’s Commons. The building is fully accessible with convenient parking. Visiting Rotarians and guests are welcome and may reserve lunch by contacting TGorman13126@Gmail.com.
