Janka "Jane" Sklenarova

2003-04 Inbound from Slovakia

Date of Birth: October 3, 1986
Hometown: Martin, Slovakia
Sponsor: Zilina Rotary Club, District 2240, Slovakia

Host: Bartram Trail Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida USA
School: Bartram Trail High School

Jane's Bio

I live with the best family that I have ever seen. These people are very friendly and I am their second daughter. My host sister's name is Kelsey, 13, and she is very crazy. My brother's name is Kyle and he is 10. This family is very similar to my family in Slovakia! I was homesick for just one or two days.

Why am I here? I wanted to try something new and I think this is it. Meet new people and make a new experience. New school, places, meals, habits. These are all things that are very different than in Slovakia. School, for example, is very different. Here, there are a lot of people and teachers and it is bigger than my school at home.

Arrival in Jacksonville

September 19 Journal

My first week without school I spent trying new things and I wanted to see everything in same time. I was first time at church, first played bowling, first saw a 3D movie and I met a lot of new people who are now my friends. And I was so surprised because people are more friendly than I thought. 

After my first day at school I went to the river trip with Mr. and Mrs. Overly. I had fun and I met some exchange students from other cities. 

My first week at school was very difficult because my English wasn't very good and I understood nothing what people said. But I met one boy named Joey and he helped in many ways but mainly in math. 

Other weekend we had Orientation in Camp Montgomery where I met all exchange students. We played several games and It was really fun. Some of us tried waterskiing, tubing or wakeboarding. We danced, had cakes (because a b'day doesn't wait) and we ate a lot of ice cream. 

When I first saw a football game of my school it was very exciting and I love this game (mainly when winning by my favorite team). I have been to several games of my school but we won only on my first. (But I think It will be better.)

With my host family I have been in a theme park called Wild Adventures. We had a lot of fun but sometimes I was so scared. I spent there almost one day and I didn't want to go home. We visited Panama City beach and spent there 3 days during Labor day and I met more members of my family. Ocean was wonderful and waves were so big but in this time was very dangerous to swim. 

While I am here I want to try everything and meet so many people, because I know this is a big experience for all my life.

See you later,

Jane

November 30 Journal

Hi everybody,

How long have I been here? Four months and two days. It is a long time, isn't it. First month was just great, I met so many new people, saw new places, and tried to become an American girl. Every single experience is important and exciting for all of us. But in my case new life started after this first month. It worked definitely for me. 

Once I was lying in my bed and thinking what happened to me so far I started to be homesick, I did not know what else to do and I just existed. However then I saw a poster at my school about girls soccer and I realized that it could be fun. So I started conditioning for our soccer team. It really helped and I didn't think about anything else but only about soccer. I met there so many friends and we had so much fun.  The very first thing was hangout with them in St. Augustine. We went to real 100% Mexican restaurant, with a singer and it was just as great as it could be. After dinner we went to downtown, had ice-cream listening to music lying on the Castillo de St. Marcos and talking about girl's stuff. We had such a great time and when we came back we were so tired.  

Next day I went to the circus with Rebecca and her family and it was very surprising for me. I have seen circus before but this one wasn't the same what I expected. It was better, because they had so many artists and acrobats and that were different. I think we spent there a beautiful time and I thank Rebecca's family that I could go with them.

In this time Al was presented our exchange program at many schools and I came of course to his presentation at my school. I was sitting there and listening to him and then he said to me to tell something about it. My first reaction was what????? I was nervous and I tried to tell something but I didn't work like I wanted. I was happy when it was over. Trust me.   

On October 3 was a huge special day for me. IT WAS MY 17th B-DAY.

Next weekend I went to beach party with other exchange student and our families. It was raining for a while but after rain we went out on the beach and tried to better each other. We had a lot of food and Teresa brought her own cake from Austria. I remember that when I came home I was tired.  

However most important thing in school life were homecoming game and dance. The game was on Friday and against Orange park. Bartram won and there were so many people out there. I met there many of my friends and I've met their friends, too. It was a huge group of cheering people and it was so much fun. But after the game the traffic was horrible.

The very next day was fall festival in my old church. So many people came there but I was a little tired so I took a nap there. I was listening to music in the church and it felt so good. When it was over we went home and I started to get ready for homecoming dance however I didn't go to my own. I went to Paxon's homecoming in Alltel Stadium with my friend. And I am very thankful that I could go with him because I've experienced so many new things. I met Emma over there and she was sooooooooo surprised I am there. We had a great time.

Week ago I just became a new member of Interact club of BTHS and we went to paint house down in St. Augustine. We met very early that morning and finally when we came there was a little late because we got lost. Then we went to find our house and I met there couple new people but also Charlie from my host club. We started pretty good. I 
didn't paint just house but also myself. I didn't meant to it just happened when I was talking and tried to see where else I need to paint. However around two o'clock we became tired. We finished third wall and we decided to go home. Carpenter who was there with us told we did a great job. We were all very dirty but happy.

Next day I went to see River dance as a B-day present from my host grandma who I want to thank so much because it was my little dream to see them. They came last year to my country and I wanted to go but I couldn't get a ticket. And when they told me that I could go here I was surprised and I became so excited.

It was almost end of October and I was going to a Halloween party and I didn't have a costume so I decided to make my own. I went to buy all the supplies what I needed and I made my own. It wasn't what it supposed to be but it was something and the most important it was a Halloween costume. I was making that costume in the door while I was watching a little or big kids going around the homes. About 9 o'clock I went to a party to my friend's house. I met there other people and we were doing bunch of stuff. As a right Halloween party we were watching scary movies and eating candies. We were talking and we had a really great time and so much fun. I came home later than usually but I wasn't tired at all.

Next day I went to a party at Ania's house. I met there other exchange students in their costumes, and we took couple pictures. We played traditional American games, talking, eating and making caramel apples of course. We got an aliens and candies from Ania's host family as presents. 

I went to see the school play and it was some kind of musical. People did really great job I was surprised. They sang and act very well. The play was on Thursday.

On Friday I went to Orlando with my counselor Mike Emily and his daughter. We left after school and when I saw the motor home I was shocked. It was huge. When we went through downtown Orlando I loved it. I visited Universal Studios and tried all possible rides. The weather was so hot and around the lunch Lianna and me got tired. But after couple minutes we were OK and we continued in having fun. That night we moved our motor home to a different place and I met Mike's friend and we went to see rodeo that night. It was interesting and people there did many dangerous things. I was just looking at them and thinking how many hours of practice it took. She showed me place where she lives and told me many stories. It is beautiful area and there is a river and on this river you can travel by boat to Cuba or New York. I am so thankful and glad that I could go with them.

Next day we didn't have school and me and other exchange students went to talk to Ramada Inn about Rotary Youth Exchange Program and what does it mean to be an exchange student.

And finally here is a big celebration-Thanksgiving day. We went to Tallahassee to have a dinner. I met their rest of the family and we had a traditional dinner. I wanted to try everything even I didn't know what is it. Then we went to Dothan to meet other side of family. I visited place where they have old farmer houses, church, store, school and drug store, which is unfortunately not open. I bought a piece of cotton because we don't have cotton in Slovakia and it is really beautiful. And what I think about Thanksgiving? It is nice tradition to say thank you for everything we have and opportunity to meet members of family who are so far away.    

I love you guys 
                                      Jane

January 8 Journal

Hey all of you.

This is again me, Jane from Slovakia. At the beginning of December I moved to my second host family. My host mom's name is Cindy and the name of my host dad is Larry. I also have a little brother whose name is Michael. He is in third grade in Cunningham Creek Elementary. He is really sweet.

I just moved but right after, I left to Disney World with our exchange program. We came there and check in. It took too long and I was getting little bored. But then everything was OK because we had a dinner. But before my favorite part of day Chairmen from district 6990 and 6970 made some announcements. Some people slept J but some paid attention. We've met people from all over the world, from other districts and found couples from same country. Then we went Downtown Disney for fun. 

Next day we went to Magic Kingdom where we had a little lesson how some rides work. It was fun experience and I learned something. Really, but I don't remember what J. I've met favorite Disney cartoons characters and Mickey and Minnie of course. After we came back to our "homes" we had a pizza party and then couple people went Downtown Disney to dance in a club.

Our next experiences were Animal Kingdom and Epcot. As a group of about 12 people it was sometimes hard to stay all together. When we came to Animal Kingdom we took some pictures and went to see animals. We also stopped to listen Africans' playing music. They took some of us to dance with them. It was fun but then I saw Al with his dangerous camera.

We spent the very last day in the Wonderful World of Disney-MGM studios. We went to see Indiana Jones's show and the rest of the day we spent on rides. And do you know what was our favorite? Tower of Terror. That is my favorite. We left Orlando around 4 o'clock. When we came home I was tired but happy and I appreciate that our hosts clubs gave us this opportunity.

On Thursday December 13, I went Charter dinner where my host club became officially Rotary club of Bartram Trail and it was my pleasure to be there and see that. My host club is the newest Rotary club in big family of Rotary clubs all around the world and I am so proud of it.

Week after I went to Gainesville with Ken and Al to talk about the Rotary program but there wasn't that many people as in Jacksonville. We came there and I met Bene and finally my District Counselor John Brunner. He gave me a little pin Rotary with a Gator J. We came back to Jacksonville little late but it was OK because we explain them why is good to be an exchange student.

After this trip on December 17 my host family and me left to Colorado Springs for vacation. On the way to our ski area we stopped in one place for lunch. There was one woman, owner of this restaurant, from Germany. When we were done I went to see pictures on the board and I saw a postcard with church from very little town from Slovakia! I couldn't believe. The chef heard me when I showed this picture to Larry and he called his wife-the owner who can speak Czech. Slovak and Czech languages are very similar and for me is easy to understand because my grandma is from Czech republic. So we spoke to each other in languages what are so close to us. I was so shocked and I couldn't believe that. It's a small world after all. 

Next day I went to my snowboard lesson. At the end of the day I was exhausted and every single part of my body hurt so much. I wanted to quit but then I decided not to and I went to the lesson one more time. And guess what? It worked. I learned how to do it. I found how it is supposed to feel when you go down the hill. Now I enjoyed snowboarding so much and I loved it. The funny part is that during my exchange year in Florida I learned to snowboard. Isn't this great? And all this happened because of my host family and I appreciate so much that I could go with them.

However that is not everything. We came home from Colorado and got ready for Christmas. On Christmas Day we woke up and went under the Xmas tree. In my stocking were batteries and memory card for digital camera. I was confused. I knew what to do with batteries but what am I supposed to do with memory card. Here is a big part. There was one more present as a huge part of the stocking. The present was a digital camera. I couldn't believe that. "This is just a dream", I thought. I must tell I had tears in my eyes. I got more beautiful things. Practical and decorating things with my favorite cartoon character and my favorite food M & M's, clothing and a present from my parents, which gave tears to my eyes again.

I have a Christmas dinner with my first host family and we went over to their friend's house. After dinner we went home and we were just spoke about everything. 

After Christmas we left for California. In California we went to Animal Park in San Diego, where they have very interesting displays of animals. And very funny stories about them. We also went to see a show with horses and knight's tournaments called "Medieval Times" from Spain. That was so much fun. We had dinner there and we had to eat it by our hands like in old times. Drink wasn't wine but water, tea or coke, however it is OK.

We spent our New Years Eve in Pasadena where I saw people sleeping on the roads waiting for famous Rose parade. We went out for dinner and celebrate New Year. Next day we went to the wonderful 115th Rose parade with tickets. Everything was from roses and organic materials except cars and I was amazed by all the details made from that. It 
was beautiful. One float was from Rotary International called "Symphony of Service". It won a price as a most beautiful float less than 35 feet. It depicts a garden stage where a string quintet of bears and rabbits are playing concert. I was just looking around, and I was so happy that I could see and hear this exciting harmony and promenade of music and beauty. 

One day we went to try snow on Big Bear but it wasn't as good as Winter Park in Colorado. Last day we went to Los Angeles to see Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Walk of Fame, Chinese theatre and much more. We took tour bus around all the places where stars live, eat, have fun, shop, take care of children. This was interesting for me so 
much because to see Hollywood and areas around is what almost everybody wants to see and it is not just a nice dream any more for me.  We also went to Santa Monica and ate dinner in Gladstone. Very nice place. I had a soup, which tasted very well. I didn't want to ask what is in this soup because it was really great and I wanted to 
eat it. However now I know that it was some kind of shells. Next day we had flight home.

And a few days ago I was watching a movie and there was one boy walking on the beach in Santa Monica. And I said with big smile: "I've been there". 

Love to all Jane

Pictures from a December to Remember (click each picture to enlarge)

April 25 Journal

Hello everybody.

Well, it is very hard to write now because my feelings are all mixed up. I am writing this journal in April but I clearly remember I went through many changes and I started to realize what my family means to me. At that time was much harder to concentrate a enjoy this year. I was thinking about my family every night and I wanted to be home as soon as possible. This last about 2 weeks and after a while I started to be tired of myself. I wasn't as happy as I could be and I said stop. I have this beautiful opportunity to be here.

New semester just began and I had photography. However it wasn't what I expected it to be and I wasn't as good. My photo class became more challenging for me because when I wanted to be the best I had to think with different part of my brain. I really like it right now. It costs a lot of patience and photo paper.:)

Very exciting experience were interviews for next year outbound exchange students. Since I didn't go through anything like that it was completely new. I really enjoyed it because a small part of the decision was on us inbounds. It was really different but same people at the same time. Because I read couple books about interview psychology it was very interesting to see how people reacted on question and how much the body moves could tell. Sometimes I had to laugh because I could see what they feel right when they sit on the chair. I also got the chance to talk to the parents and they were very supportive. Some had to really think whether they want their baby go so far and some were so sure this is the thing for their kids. I could see my parents in some reaction. The only difference is It took about 10 second for them to decide. I know it was hard for them but they wanted me to grow up as a better and complete person.

My friends here mean a lot to me and they help me to feel better when I need. They help me to forget the struggles inside me and at least for few hours and I have fun no matter what is going on in my life.

During this period of time Rotary prepared a beautiful trip to the Keys. I must tell we had a lot of fun. The 11 hours drive wasn't that bad because it was multicultural and multimusical. We were singing 5 different songs in 5 different languages but at the same time. We really weren't bored and it brought us closer together. Sea Camp was so great and when we arrived we met other people from Michigan-fun to be around. We spent 3 days with them. We snorkeled together, we even went to coral reef where we saw a shark. They told us it will be possible and I was a little bit nervous about it but when I really saw it I was soooo excited I didn't have time to think about the fear. That night we had a presentation of what we learned about the marine environment. Divided into 6 groups with different topics we talked for about 20 minutes. Groups taught me some information about the ocean and coast developing and some I knew from school. But it was very interesting experience for everybody who went. The earth is changing and we need to know how to protect it and take better care of it. It is not that we can just move to another planet when this is is too dirty or we can't drink the water because there is too much pollution.

As I said before my friends and people around me play a big role in this experience. I go to play Bunco with my host mom and maybe I am not the best and I win something for being the worst. However I always tell myself that this time I am going to win. But it is more about the fun (and of course the food:)).

I was looking forward to seeing a movie called Eurotrip. Couple weeks ago I saw previews and there were showing Bratislava which is the capital of my country. When the time came I went and it was really funny movie. But I was little disappointed because Slovakia was shown in a really bad light. However the funny part is before I left my host dad told me that I will be angry because Slovakia will not be the same as I know. It was the truth and now I am just laughing.

I also went to Courthouse with my host mom friend and it was really interesting. I was watching the judge very closely and I was trying to pick up some moves. And also the lawyers. I was really happy that I had the opportunity to see some of the cases.

At the end of February the next outbound exchange students had an orientation where I greeted them in my own Slovak language. It was really fun but a little challenge of my language. Well I had a very hard time to remember it. But after all I saw the point. Students were looking at me and didn't know what to do or tell. They were confused.
However they will experience the same thing when they come to their new country and won't have any idea what people are talking about. I think this was a great example to let them know just a little of the experience in another country and to show it is important to work on new languages.

I also went to St. Augustine to see "NINA". The favorite ship of Christopher Columbus. The ship was hand made in South America by some way how the original "NINA" was made. It was very cool.

I think that was all for this time and y'all will read my next journal soon.

Sincerely Jane