Volunteer with the Rotary Youth Exchange in Brazil

This was the best experience of my life. I lived with three different host families which gave me insight into three very different ways of living in Brazil and allowed me to experience the culture more fully than if I had been living with only foreigners. This made learning the local language much easier and encouraged me to become more engaged with the local community.
There was a group of about 30 exchange students in the area and we all had many chances to meet up and get to know each other quite well. This proved invaluable as we were all in the same position and could thus relate well despite our cultural differences. In addition, as we were all from different countries, it made us really become a family and connect to one another without creating sub-groups consisting only of those within our "comfort zone."
The exchange was for a full year and as such I can best explain it as a roller coaster. Some days were low, sad and homesick but other days were amazing and exhilarating. The biggest challenge in the beginning was of course the language but it was the most amazing feeling as we learned Portuguese and could feel ourselves getting better and more able to have conversation until one day we realized that we were fluent.
It was also very challenging to become accustomed to living under someone else's roof and rules after feeling like and being treated like an adult at home.