Adam Stålhammar

2008-09 Inbound from Sweden

Hometown: Varberg, Sweden

Sponsor: Varberg Rotary Club, District 2360, Sweden

Host: Maitland Rotary Club, District 6980, Florida, USA

School: Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs, FL

Bio

Adam's Bio

Hi, my name is Adam Stalhammar and I'm from Sweden. Not many of you might know about Sweden but you should know that it is a small country in the northern area of Europe called Scandinavia with a population of 9 million "Swedes". I decided to become a exchange student because I have always hungered for more of the world than that I saw in Sweden. My mom was an exchange student and some of my friends had been overseas so I checked around looking for the best organization that did exchange years and found Rotary. Rotary is really great and I feel totally confident going to Longwood, Florida with Rotary.

I live in Longwood and go to Lake Brantley High School and I love it! I meet new people everyday because it is a very big school. I'll see ya around.

October 7 Journal

I can't believe that more than a month has flown by! It must be because everyday you get new experiences and meet new people. I recently realized that time almost goes too fast. My time at Lake Brantley is going great! I love the school, the people, and I realized that we have to start playing American football in Sweden because I will miss it. It's not just a sport, it's a lifestyle and for some people a religion :)

I meet new people everyday and realize something new every day. In the beginning I was shocked by the strict rules that apply everywhere, like clothing rules and what you can and can't do but I have adapted. It is really hot in Florida and even though I shower every morning, I'll be sweaty when I'm at school, but it's worth it because I love the heat!!!! (I will probably say something different in the end of the year). I'm having a great time so far and really love it here :D

December 19 Journal

Hello everybody.

Now it's getting close to Christmas and I already have grown tired of the Christmas carols. They are everywhere! But I also love this holiday in spirit of kindness and giving. and the decorations of course ;)

I had the privilege to go Disney with all the exchange student in Florida and some from other states, I had so much fun and want to thank Rotary for making this possible, thank you! The winter break is now officially in work and I look forward to eat fruit cake and drink egg nog :) Sadly enough I have also realized that half of my year has gone and that it has gone by so quickly, you get a perspective of time. I can't even explain what goes through my head right now but basically: love it, good times and not enough time to experience this awesome country! Think of all the different candies and cakes there's out there that I haven't tried, oh well I have one more year to find out ; )

January 28 Journal

I must start this diary entry by saying that I really love all of my exchange student friends and all the other Rotary people!

I have been to Seacamp in the Keys now, from Jan 23-25, and I had the time of my life. I have lived by the ocean my whole life and missed it a whole lot and I really needed the trip. I had so much fun snorkeling and playing football with the other exchange students.

I've also learned a lot about the sea biome and what we can do to preserve this awesome world under the sea. BE ENVIRONMENTAL PEOPLE!!!

We also went to Key West which was a trip of its own; if we had 3 days there we wouldn't see it all. I really think the Rotary organization was very kind to give us this opportunity :D I'll definitely end up going back to the beautiful Keys!!