Carleigh McFarlane

2010-11 Outbound to Hungary

Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida

School: Pompano Beach High School

Sponsor: Coral Springs-Parkland Rotary Club, District 6990, Florida

Host: Budapest-Sasad Rotary Club, District 1911, Hungary

Bio

Carleigh's Bio

Jó napot!

I’m Carleigh, a typical 15-year-old sophomore, who happens to be heading to Hungary for a year. That’s right HUNGARY! Of all the countries available, I knew that I wanted a challenge, and to learn a language that not many people knew of. After all, my main goal is to inform people about the world, our mind-boggling world. That includes the places (aka - Hungary) that aren’t as commercialized, or “popular” as others.

I would describe myself as a spunky, bubbly, 10th grader looking for an adventure. I’m determined, responsible, and I have big dreams. I know that if I put my mind to it, I can accomplish anything.

Right now, I attend Pompano Beach High School. I’m a member of the Key Club, Interact Club, Sophomore Class (Student Government) and Debate club. I’m the secretary of both the Culinary Arts club, and Drama club. In the time that’s left, I’m a varsity cheerleader. Along with the massive amount of homework I’m given, it’s safe to say I’m a busy girl. To be completely honest, when I first heard of the exchange, I saw it as a vacation, an excuse to get out of my hectic study schedule, and have some fun. Through my research, and already strenuous efforts, I’ve realized it’s not a vacation, but an opportunity that has been presented to me, better than any escape. The more I learned about the Rotary program, the country I’ll be going to, and the language I’ll be speaking, the more excited I get. I realize that this is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I plan to experience it, to its greatest extent.

As I said before I’m 15, and will be 16 at the end of July. I live in Coral Springs, FL with my mom, dad, brother and sister. We’re a pretty athletic family, and my siblings and I love jump on our trampoline, and go in the pool together. My brother and sister are 12 year-old twins. Most of the time, they’re the average annoying kids, either stealing my clothes or making revolting noises in public. Despite the fact, I don’t know how I’m going to live without them. My family and I are really close, so homesickness is one of the most scary parts of this exchange for me. I guess that’s just another thing to conquer while on my exchange.

I’ve lived in Coral Springs practically my whole life. Don’t get me wrong, I love this place, but I’m always looking for a new adventure. As a matter of fact, I wear a bracelet everyday that has the word ADVENTURE inscribed in it. I’m always up to trying something new, and I know this exchange has a lot of that in store for me.

I haven’t attended orientation yet, and I’ve never been outside of the US. I don’t know what to expect, and the idea of leaving for a year, makes my heart beat faster in both a thrilled and intimidating way. Through all my doubts, I know hat I’m determined, and ready for whatever is thrown at me. I’m beyond eager for this trip, and I’m starting to grasp the concept, and see the reasons to how it will change me forever.

As my journey begins, I want to start by saying thank-you. My friends and family are the greatest support system, and as I said before, I don’t know what I’m going to do with out them. Also, I’d like to thank Rotary for this trip of a lifetime, and opportunity like no other.

August 24

Szia from Hungary!

So I’ve only been here for 3 days and I’ve already done so much! I figured if there was any time to write my first journal, it would be now.

I left from Ft. Lauderdale airport Saturday morning, and headed to JFK in New York. My layover wasn’t long, and my first flight came in early so I was in good shape. I then took the Air-tram, (little did I know, that would only be the very beginning of my public transport adventure) and made my way to the International terminal. I have to say, I was utterly amazed. It was the first time that I truly felt like an exchange student. All around me people stood waiting in the security line speaking everything for French to Chinese, and checking into their flights with Korean Air and Japan Airways. It was one of the most memorable and exciting parts of my exchange so far.  I made it to my gate and quickly boarded my first ever, overnight flight to Frankfurt. I luckily got a window seat, and a neighbor that spoke both English and German. The flight attendants couldn’t understand me very well, but she was able to help translate everything. When I arrived in Frankfurt is was 1:00 am for me, but I still wasn’t tired, plus it was sunny outside which must have confused my body into thinking it was morning. The flight from Frankfurt to Budapest was very short, and I learned a lot from the elderly woman who sat beside me. She gave me a lot of confidence, and told me exactly what I had to say to my family when I met them, in order to be polite and proper.

As soon as I landed in Budapest, I went directly to baggage claim. By that point, I was beyond excited, and couldn’t wait to meet my family. One of my suitcases got lost so I had to fill out papers, and then go through customs. As soon at I stepped into the waiting area, I saw a beautifully colorful sign that had my name on it, being held by three people. My host mom ran up and gave me a huge hug, and then my younger host sister did the same. My host dad gave me a kiss on each cheek, before my older host sister, Lilla, who was on exchange last year in Florida, came running out of nowhere and gave me the largest hug of all.

We all got into the car, and headed home. The airport is pretty close to our house so it only took 15 minutes. As we pulled into the drive way, I looked up at the home in awe. It looked like a miniature version of a European castle to me, possibly because it was surrounded by a tall stone wall and a gate with dazzling purple flowers. Once we got inside my host sisters gave me a tour of the house which is beautiful! My room is yellow, and I even have a skylight! Like most Hungarian homes, there is only one full bathroom… and it’s enormous! It even has its own sauna, which I’m told comes in handy in the winter.

Here, lunch is the family’s big meal, similar to dinner in America. For my arrival, my host mom made bableves (bob-lay-vash), or bean soup, then a delicious noodle casserole. After we finished with that, they surprised me with a yogurt cake, which may sound gross, but it was awesome! It almost tasted like cheese cake from home. The food here is plentiful and very good. Needless to say, my first word learned here was “Finom”, or “yummy.” Now my host mom makes fun of me for saying it so much, haha.

After lunch, we got on our bathing suits to go in the pool. I felt the water with my hand, and realized just how warm my pool at home truly was. My biological clock was starting to catch up with me, so I decided to just put my feet in, and then head upstairs for a nap. About 4 hours later, I woke up, and was invited to go to the barn to watch my younger host sister, Viràg, go horseback riding. We biked there, which was beautiful, physically tiring and insanely bumpy all at the same time. Never the less, we made it on time without fail. When we arrived, I was asked if I would like to have a lesson. Of course I said “IGEN!” Everyone at the barn knew different words in English and they all worked together to help me understand what the instructor was telling me. After my lesson Virag gave me a tour of the barn. They have chickens, roosters, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, a goat, a pony, and a cute little dog named Cici. All of which Viràg helps to take care of every afternoon.

We went home, and I got to Skype with my parents. I already missed them so much, and had to tell them all about my day. Without a doubt, homesickness hit me dead on after I hung up with my mom, and it took me awhile to fall to asleep.

The next day I woke up late due to jetlag, and my host family completely understood.  Lilla and I decided to go into the city to buy a converter for me, and some postcards as well. We walked down to the bus stop and got on, luckily seats were available and we were able to sit. The ride took about 20 minutes, but it felt like 20 seconds, while I was admiring all of the little shops on our way. When we arrived in the city, we got off and went strait into the mall, which it HUGE! We bought my converter, and then stopped to have gelato… FINOM!

From the mall, we took the metro to the center of Budapest, where I would be able to find postcards. When we arrived, I didn’t know what to expect, but it exceeded all of the thoughts, pictures and a dreams I had had of the city. The architecture was just picturesque, and all the people were so kind and happy. Other then some nasty blisters, from my shoes our walk around that part of Budapest was one of the happiest times of my life. My host sister surprised me by taking me to see the Danube, which cuts Budapest in half (into Buda and Pest.) We saw the first bridge of Hungary, the Parliament building, and the Buda castle, all of which were remarkable!

The day had flown by so fast, that we didn’t realize that it was late, and we should head home. When we got home Virag had already left for the barn again, so I started to write some postcards, and study a bit of Hungarian.

Lilla and I had left-over soup for dinner and we Skyped with a few of the other inbounds to Florida that we both knew from last year.

Homesickness seems to hit me at night when I don’t get to say “good night” to my parents and my brother and sister, but I know that that awful feeling should soon pass, or I’m hoping at least.

This morning Lilla and I awoke early to go into our school, to set up my schedule. Everyone was very nice, and I learned just how important the formal way of speaking is, when Hungarians attend school.

Well, we’re home now and are going to have lunch soon. Yes, there have been some downs, but the ups of this exchange have already fulfilled me with a loads of memories, experience, and love for this remarkable country.