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Elodie Dubois has enjoyed her time in America, even if she didn’t always pick up Americanisms.
The 18-year-old Rotary Club Youth Exchange student will return to Thimister, Belgium, next week after almost a year in Hannibal.
She was feted this week at a pizza party sponsored by her host families and others who got to know her.
“I made friends,” Elodie said. “I’m not going to forget them.”
Elodie applied for the exchange program with a Rotary club in Belgium. Her first choice was the United States, followed by Canada and Australia.
At home, Elodie spoke French, so she had to brush up on her English before arriving in America. There was just one problem.
“I learned British English, which is very different,” she said. “It was hard to catch everything.”
For example, the British commonly call a trash basket a bin.
“I would say ‘Where’s the bin?’ and no one would know what I was saying,” she recalled.
Even though Elodie was a straight A student, there were times when she feigned ignorance if she didn’t understand something.
“I’d just smile and say ‘Yes,’” she said with a laugh. “It might not even be a question.”
Elodie saw different examples of American life by living with three host families, some of whom had opened their homes to a foreigner before and some who hadn’t.
Steve, Sandy, Samantha and Scott Cockrell had been down the exchange student road before, but found new experiences.
“Getting to know a young lady from another country and to allow her to get to know us was the best thing,” Steve Cockrell said. “Those three months just flew by. It went very quickly.”
Elodie was the second exchange student that Paul and Cheryl Harder and their children, Lauren and Evan, had hosted.
“It’s a very good experience,” Cheryl Harder said. “She was very open-minded about the cultural differences. I would definitely recommend it to other people.”
Aaron and Kylee Amdor were newbies, but were pleased they took part.
“She’s been a true joy to have,” said Kylee Amdor. “Hopefully, we’ve made a lifelong friend.”
Hannibal Rotarian Frank North, who coordinates the program and has hosted students with his wife, Sara, said the community service group does a good job of matching students to families.
“It’s well-run, it’s well-organized,” North said. “It’s not just sending a kid overseas and saying ‘Good luck.’ (Elodie) did it in exactly the right way.”
While Elodie enjoyed dancing in the Hannibal High production of “Oklahoma,” served as queen of the senior banquet aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and scarfed Mexican food every chance she got, there were a few hitches.
Because public transport is the norm in Belgium, Elodie had never driven a vehicle.
So, Aaron Amdor thought it would be fun to put her on a riding lawnmower and take care of the yard.
“She did quite well,” he said. “Of course, we went at a slow pace.”
A summer job at a daycare center awaits Elodie when she returns to Belgium. In the fall, she will attend university. She’s undecided about a career, but is looking at journalism.
As far as Rotary exchange, she recommends it, as long as students are committed.
“They need to know what they’re doing first,” Elodie said. “They think it’s going to be a vacation. It’s not. You have to be ready.”
Elodie Dubois has enjoyed her time in America, even if she didn’t always pick up Americanisms.
The 18-year-old Rotary Club Youth Exchange student will return to Thimister, Belgium, next week after almost a year in Hannibal.
She was feted this week at a pizza party sponsored by her host families and others who got to know her.
“I made friends,” Elodie said. “I’m not going to forget them.”
Elodie applied for the exchange program with a Rotary club in Belgium. Her first choice was the United States, followed by Canada and Australia.
At home, Elodie spoke French, so she had to brush up on her English before arriving in America. There was just one problem.
“I learned British English, which is very different,” she said. “It was hard to catch everything.”
For example, the British commonly call a trash basket a bin.
“I would say ‘Where’s the bin?’ and no one would know what I was saying,” she recalled.
Even though Elodie was a straight A student, there were times when she feigned ignorance if she didn’t understand something.
“I’d just smile and say ‘Yes,’” she said with a laugh. “It might not even be a question.”
Elodie saw different examples of American life by living with three host families, some of whom had opened their homes to a foreigner before and some who hadn’t.
Steve, Sandy, Samantha and Scott Cockrell had been down the exchange student road before, but found new experiences.
“Getting to know a young lady from another country and to allow her to get to know us was the best thing,” Steve Cockrell said. “Those three months just flew by. It went very quickly.”
Elodie was the second exchange student that Paul and Cheryl Harder and their children, Lauren and Evan, had hosted.
“It’s a very good experience,” Cheryl Harder said. “She was very open-minded about the cultural differences. I would definitely recommend it to other people.”
Aaron and Kylee Amdor were newbies, but were pleased they took part.
“She’s been a true joy to have,” said Kylee Amdor. “Hopefully, we’ve made a lifelong friend.”
Hannibal Rotarian Frank North, who coordinates the program and has hosted students with his wife, Sara, said the community service group does a good job of matching students to families.
“It’s well-run, it’s well-organized,” North said. “It’s not just sending a kid overseas and saying ‘Good luck.’ (Elodie) did it in exactly the right way.”
While Elodie enjoyed dancing in the Hannibal High production of “Oklahoma,” served as queen of the senior banquet aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and scarfed Mexican food every chance she got, there were a few hitches.
Because public transport is the norm in Belgium, Elodie had never driven a vehicle.
So, Aaron Amdor thought it would be fun to put her on a riding lawnmower and take care of the yard.
“She did quite well,” he said. “Of course, we went at a slow pace.”
A summer job at a daycare center awaits Elodie when she returns to Belgium. In the fall, she will attend university. She’s undecided about a career, but is looking at journalism.
As far as Rotary exchange, she recommends it, as long as students are committed.
“They need to know what they’re doing first,” Elodie said. “They think it’s going to be a vacation. It’s not. You have to be ready.”
