Julia smiles as she moves through the hallways of Pine Bush High School, among the crush of her fellow students rushing to their next class. New to the school, she is definitely getting to know her way around PBHS much better than when she started in September. Still, it is a new experience for her, being in a school this size with so many students.

Julia, a senior, is an exchange student from Brazil. She is the first foreign exchange student in the district in decades. At the suggestion of Dr. Bill Bassett, a Wallkill East Rotary member and former superintendent in the district, the board of education decided to change the policy so the district can exchange students. Rotary International has a vibrant youth exchange program and Dr. Bassett thought students and the district would benefit from it.

 

Enter Julia. Julia’s grandpa back in Brazil is a Rotarian. “The exchange is famous in Brazil,” Julia said. “I’ve always thought about it. I got more interested two years ago and then decided to do it.”

She chose the United States as her destination. She had been to Florida a few times on vacation and liked it. She didn’t know any English the first time she traveled to the US. She started to study English but it didn’t go too well. So she started watching movies in English. To hear her speak now, you probably wouldn’t even guess that English is her second language.

Landing in Pine Bush was Rotary’s decision. She could only request the country, nothing more specific than that. And that is fine with her. “It is very pretty here,” Julia said.

 

Coming full circle

Kelly Bassett is a Rotarian at the Wallkill East Rotary and the daughter of Dr. Bill Bassett. Kelly was an exchange student back in 1990. When she was a kid, her dad was the district chairman of the youth exchange program for Rotary.

“We had exchange kids in our home,” said Kelly. “I knew I would take a gap year between high school and college, so  I decided to go to Brazil for a year with the program.”

She is a big fan of the program and the experience.

“It’s transformative for students in how it inspires bonds and creates deep friendships,” said Kelly. “Something magical is created.”

Kelly had a wonderful experience during her year in Brazil. “In the back of my mind, I always thought I’d host an exchange student,” she said. “Last year, when Pine Bush changed its policy, I knew I wanted to do this. When I learned the exchange student was from Brazil, I knew I would do it.”

 

 

 

The adventure begins

After she landed at JFK on Aug. 27, Julia met her first host mom and dad, Kelly Bassett and Anthony Buono. It was early morning and not many people were in the city so they took Julia for her first adventure, driving her through Manhattan and stopping to see and visit some major sites: Statue of Liberty, the 911 Memorial, Central Park.

They then made their way up to Pine Bush, a totally different environment than New York City.

School started the following week and Julia dove right in. She met some kids, became the manager of the tennis team and worked on the crew for the fall stage production at the high school. She enjoyed going to volleyball games and football games.

“The kids are very nice to me,” said Julia. “Teenagers are teenagers everywhere.”

The food is similar. One big difference is the school itself. Pine Bush High School is much bigger than the school she attended in Brazil. Back home, you stayed in the same classroom and teachers moved around. Not here. So navigating those hallways is an adventure.

She is naturally shy but has stepped out of her comfort zone to speak up more. “I’m the new one here so I try to speak up.”

There are many more things Julia is looking forward to – prom, more school theater productions, graduation. But first – snow!

She also wants to visit some famous New York places, like Niagara Falls.

 

 

Family’s role

There has been a little homesickness and culture shock, Kelly said. Overall, though, “Julia has adapted amazingly.”

Since she herself has experienced being in a foreign country with new people, Kelly can understand.

“It took me a couple of months to acclimate,” she said. “Julia did amazing! She knew the language and that helped. She has a great sense of humor and a great attitude. What also helps is technology.”

Julia video chats and text with her family regularly.

“It’s a good mix – being invested in a new place and still very connected to home,” said Kelly.

For her part, Julia said she doesn’t know if she would be able to do this if she couldn’t be connected to her parents and two younger sisters.

“I wouldn’t have done this if it were 15 years ago with no face time,” she said. “I came knowing I can see and talk to my family.”

The new US family is loving their time together. Julia has become the center of Kelly’s home.

It’s been beneficial to Kelly personally. She is a psychoanalyst currently in a doctoral program. Having Julia “pushes us out of our own habitual lives – we do things that we’ve wanted to do. Having Julia gives us permission to have more fun!”

“We are focusing on giving her experiences. Our job is not to entertain her. It’s to integrate her into our family,” said Kelly. “It’s been a great fit. She is a great kid. We are lucky to have her.”

 

A gift to our community

The larger community echoes that sentiment.

Christina Tudisco was one of Julia’s first teachers here at Pine Bush High School and the advisor for the Interact Club, of which Julia is a member. She glows when she speaks of Julia, noting her “sweet, calm, soft demeanor.”

“I find it fascinating that she is in another country, going to a completely different school, and living with a family she didn’t even know,” said Ms. Tudisco. “She is brave; she is a beautiful human, inside and out – and I love hearing her tell stories about her family and home.”

“We are so pleased to have Julia in Pine Bush High School and our community,” said Superintendent Brian Dunn. “Our school benefits from having an international student become part of our culture and traditions and share her own in kind. It is mutually beneficial and supports understanding, empathy and peace!”

 

 

Ms. Tudisco was with Julia at PBHS when the first snow fell this fall. It didn’t accumulate but it was the first snow Julia had ever seen.

“Julia saw and felt snow with me for the first time the other day, and she was smiling from ear to ear, just dancing around,” she said. “I had never experienced that. I am loving and appreciating getting to know her. She has taught me so much; she is kind, compassionate, and loves volunteering with my PBHS Interact Club!” 

Through her different activities and classes, Julia has made many friends.

“It is just amazing to see her interact with our students, make friends so easily, and just be her loving, wonderful self,” said Ms. Tudisco. “She is one of a kind!” 

 

A channel of peace

According to the Rotary.org. the Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time, inspiring young leaders to serve as catalysts for peace and social justice in their communities and throughout the world. The benefits of the youth exchange program is giving kids the opportunity to be immersed in another culture and become global citizens. They develop leadership skills and build lasting friendships.

Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries sponsor youth exchanges for kids aged 15-19. Julia will remain here for the full school year, graduating in June with her classmates. She will live with multiple host families.

Pine Bush is beyond thrilled to have Julia!