Erika Cecilia Arequipa C.

2008-09 Inbound from Ecuador

Hometown: Latacunga, Ecuador

Sponsor: Latacunga Rotary Club, District 4400, Ecuador

Host: DeLand Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida, USA

School: DeLand High School, DeLand, FL

Bio

Erika's Bio

Hi my name is Erika Cecilia Arequipa Chiluisa and my family and my friends call my 'Eris.' I'm from Latacunga, Ecuador. My city is small but very beautiful. It is near to Cotopaxi Volcano, one of the most high volcanoes in the world. I'm last of three children. My parents are Ramiro and Cecilia, they both are teachers. My brother is Omar, who is a police officer, and my sister Patty is an engineer. My family are the most important people in my life.

I think that Florida is a beautiful state and the people are very friendly. My host family is so cute - my host parents are Todd and Sandy. We have 5 cats, they are so cute.

I give the thanks to the Rotary club and my parents for giving this opportunity to meet new people and new culture. Thanks.

October 6 Journal

Hi everybody! My great adventure began on August 7th. When I was in the plane to Miami, I saw all my life like a movie, I remember my family, my friends, my country, everything, and I felt so bad. But I remember what is my purpose here... learn English, meet new friends, know new culture. When I arrived at Miami airport I had to change the plane. I was very afraid because I didn't know nothing about Miami airport, which is so huge, but a lot of people speak Spanish - this helped me. Then when I arrived to Orlando I saw a lot of people with a huge banner with my name, I was so happy!!!!! My first family, my third family, the president of DeLand club and more people were in the airport, I felt so welcome.

My new family
My host parents are very nice people, my host mom Sandy is very cute with me... she makes very delicious food and very very delicious cake (I love cake)... we usually go to see movies and some Sundays we spend time at the lake. I love my host parents.

My first days in DeLand high School.
My first day in my new high school was very confused but my host brother Marc helped me In the two first days. I felt sad because I didn't have any friends but now I feel so good.

The orientation camp was a beautiful experience I met a lot of people of different countries, it was really so cool.

January 27 Journal

Hi Again Everybody! I’m here more than 5 months and I did not realize how fast this wonderful year is going. Let me tell you about my adventure in Florida.

New Family

Two months ago I switched family, it was hard because I love my 1st family EVERYTHING but is one of the most exciting adventures. Now I live in a beautiful house; my family members are Elyse, Terry and Bryce, we have three dogs, one cat and one bird.

I love my new family, almost everyday I play Dominos or cards with my host parents, sometimes I win ee =). I like to spend time with my family especially with my host mum (Elyse) we love go to shopping and also spend time in the mall; my host dad (Terry) is the best cooker ever. I love when he cooks, also he is very funny; Bryce my host brother - he is a good friend he like to play wii, sometimes I play with him.

Thanksgiving

I was so excited to experience my first and maybe my last Thanksgiving. I ate some kinds of food that never eat before, of course my host dad cooked. I had a BIG dinner with my host family and Nana (grandma) and Jimmy (grandpa).

Outbound Interviews

I was excited to be in that interview - was one of the nicest experience ever… to see other teenagers and their parents and tell how wonderful is this year, the ups and downs that sometimes we have, and talk about our countries, while at the same time spend good time with inbound students and Rotex. All girls slept in the same house - the host parents were so friendly. Thanks for everything.

Disney Trip

Disney one of my dreams, the first day there we went to Hollywood Studios park, I went to Rock n’ Roll roller coaster and the Tower of Terror, also we met other exchange student from different states.

2nd day we went to Magic Kingdom, I LOVE IT, this is my favorite park ever. I saw for first time the Cinderella castle … omg I never will forget that day (the best of my entire life)! I was like a little girl. I took pictures with everything in the park, but we did not see the fireworks because we had a pool party at the hotel.

3rd day we went to Epcot we were lucky because we entered before everybody go inside the park, we had a guide with who walked around the park and she explained about each culture, was interesting as we learned about a few different countries. At night we ate in a Italian restaurant - the food was great also we saw a fireworks.

4th day we went to Animal Kingdom, was a short day. Anyways this park has a excellent roller coaster, my favorite is Everest Expedition, also with some friends took the safari - we saw different and interesting animals; at the end of the day all exchange student took a big picture at the same time - was kind of sad - said bye to all our friends. I love u guys.

Christmas and New Year so far

When I heard the Xmas songs I felt sad, but I realize it was not so hard like I thought. The day before Xmas, my family and I went to the church to a special program, the church that we go is nice the Father and the kids represent some scene of Jesus' birth, the kids wore some special outfits, also inside the church were camels and donkeys. Xmas day the most important day of the year, everybody were happy, the tree, the gifs, everything was special, my host brother and I opened the first presents then each one continue opened. I had a very big and good breakfast with my family. I love my host family; they let me feel like at home.

I had a party with my family and their friends. We spend such a good time, we danced and ate and played cards. I felt so blessed to be here, fortunately in Ecuador is the same time like here and I had a chance to call my family and wish a good year.

Holiday Trip

My family and I went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure for two days… I had a good time, my dad, my brother and I rode almost all roller coasters -  we love adrenaline - and we went to some shows in Universal Studios and I took some pictures with my favorite cartoon character. I felt like a little girl.

I think that I wrote so much..

Just I would like to say thanks Rotary and in special to my host Club “DeLand Rotary Club” for make my dreams come true, not just for the Disney trip, for everything that they are doing for me this year, one of my best years ever.

Love you Erika