Aly Burton

2012-13 Outbound to India

Hometown: St. Augustine, FL

School: St. Augustine High School

Sponsor: District 6970, FL

Host: District TBA, India

Aly's Bio

Namaste! Hello! My name is Aly Burton. I am seventeen years old and I am from St. Augustine, Florida. I am currently in my senior year at St. Augustine High school. I have lived in St. Augustine for about 6 years, partly with my mom and partly with my dad. I have moved 19 times total and have been to 10 different schools. I am used to packing suitcases, meeting new people, and adjusting to new places so naturally, I am SO excited to be able to say I will be spending a year in INDIA!

At school I’m involved in Chorus, Musical Theatre, Music Theory, and AICE (an educational program at my school run through Cambridge). Singing is one of my favorite pastimes, so I try to do as many chorus related activities as possible, including after school groups. I also try to get out on my bike with my dad as often as possible. I love seeing the world around me, so being outdoors is very important to me. Going for walks, road trips, swimming, going to the beach- these are all things I really enjoy. Who wants to be cooped up inside all the time? I want to experience everything life has to offer! Truth be told, India was not my first choice. It was definitely on my list of 5 but I couldn’t see myself actually going. As time went by, I realized how great of a fit India was for me. I wanted to go more and more every day. I remember talking to my mom the day before I got the phone call telling me my assigned country; I told her that I was going to India. There was no question about it, I somehow just knew. When I got the phone call and heard “India” on the other line, it felt like everything fell into place. Now, I cannot wait to step on that plane, say Alvida! (Goodbye) to the USA, and welcome India with open arms and an open mind. I have always been fascinated with the world. The religions, the languages, the culture. It has all been important to me for as long as I can remember. I’ve already started reading a book of Hindu Scriptures and studying the culture. It is all so interesting; I am falling in love with India. I’m so grateful that I have been chosen to be a 2012-2013 RYE Exchange Student. It feels so real now that I know where I am going and have started learning the language. This will be the most influential year of my life and I am so excited! I am a firm believer in destiny, and I know India is where I am meant to go. I can’t thank Rotary enough for this amazing opportunity! Shukriya!!! Thank you!!!

Aly- Outbound to India