The Packing Begins

Ciao :)

Over the last couple of days, I have been lugging my suitcases up the stairs, and purchasing some last minute things. I am only allowed to bring one bag under 50 pounds for free, one carry-on under 16 pounds, and a backpack. I hope I will be able to fit everything I need into those bags. I am sure i will be buying A TON of stuff once I get there. :) For the trip, I bought some nicer clothes, because Europeans tend to dress more formal (and I'm going to Milan!!), an English-Italian dictionary, and I will be buying an adapter for my computer. I have also began my countdown!!!! I can not believe I am leaving in 12 days!!! This experience is going to change who I am, and how I act around others. I am hoping to become more social and I can not wait to be bilingual and more knowledgeable about the history of another country! Arrivederci :) Grazie!

~Shelby

How it all Began.

Ciao/Hello.

My name is Shelby Kenville. I am 16 years old and I was chosen by Rotary International to be a foreign exchange student in Cinisello Balsamo, Italy. This area is in Milan, the 'Fashion Capital of the World.' I'm so truly thrilled to have this experience and to share it with everyone! I started out this program coming home from softball practice one day and my mom, Jennifer, was sitting at the kitchen table and said she needed to talk to me. She told me about the foreign exchange program, and how I could go to almost any European or South American country. I wasn’t interested at first, because the idea of leaving my 16-17 year old life in America frightened me. After doing thorough research on all the countries on the list the Rotary provided, I made a top 10 choice. But in my heart, I knew that the only place I wanted to be was Italy. So, I sent in the list, and went to multiple meetings where I was interviewed and lectured.

One day, I received a call that my country selection was in. I was going to Italy. I literally dropped the phone and started crying. I was 1 of 4 people going to Italy out of over 100 other students. I immediately got Rosetta Stone for Italian and started learning the language. I went to about 4 Rotary Meetings with about twelve students from other countries and 5 who, like me, are going to other countries. I made a lot of friends just in the process before going away. The whole registration, VISA and Passport acquiring, and planning has been very stressful, but I know it will all be worth it when I step of the plane in Milan, Italy. Thanks for reading! More to come! Keep checking in! J Ciao/Goodbye.

~Shelby Kenville