Every student at York is happy to have a well deserved summer break, whether they’re planning to go on a big vacation or just staying at home to relax.

Charline Dose, sophomore, is looking forward to doing much more than just hanging around the houes this summer. She’s participating in the Elmhurst Rotary Club Youth Exchange program, which is made to help District 205 students gain a better understanding of different cultures around the world.

The Elmhurst Rotary Club offers opportunities for Elmhurst residents to host high school age students from around the world and for students at high schools in other countries to stay in Elmhurst for a period of time. Recently, the club has hosted students from Denmark, Thailand, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, France and Norway, and now Italy.

“I decided to take part in this program because I’m really interested in the Italian culture.” said Dose. “I’ve been taking Italian here at school, and I think that traveling to Italy will really help me learn how to speak it fluently.”

Charline will be traveling to Avellino, Italy, later this summer, but first she gets the opportunity to have an Italian student live with her. Her name is Romi, and she and Charline have been communicating back and forth in order to get to know each other better before spending the whole summer together.

“We talk every day, and we’ve Skyped a few times. She’s awesome,” said Dose. “She does speak English, but we exchange languages back and forth so we can both learn. Romi isn’t the best at English, but she’ll get better after being here for a while.”

Charlie has been taking Italian here at York for the last two years, and although her speaking skills are pretty basic for now, she’ll definitely improve after spending a month in Italy.

“I think I’m good at basic Italian, and I can go off of what other people say to me,” said Dose. “Hopefully I’ll get better in Italy as well.”

When in Italy, Charline is planning to do as much sightseeing as possible with the foreign exchange student and her family. Romi lives in a house in the mountains of Avellino, and she also has a seaside house in Naples where they’ll be spending lots of time.

“Romi’s parents have holiday in August, so we’ll be travelling around Italy until the 16th when
I have to leave!” said Dose.

While some teenagers would feel hesitant to go to a different country by themselves for such a long period of time, both Charline and her parents are excited that she gets to be a part of this amazing program.

“My parents are really excited that I get the chance to travel and have someone stay in our house with us,” said Dose.

Charline is looking forward to taking part in this program and traveling out of the country for the first time. She is excited to experience the different cultures in Italy and connecting with the people there.

“I’m so glad that I get the opportunity to get to know someone who speaks a completely different language and lives a different life than I do,” said Dose. “I’m excited to share all the norms and my lifestyle in America.”

Photo Courtesy of Charline Dose