“It's really hard to leave behind the people I've met here, my family and friends,” Kuri says. “I want to thank Rotary and all the families I've had the opportunity to be with. They've helped me have a great year and made my adjustment easier.”

Kuri added that she may return to the United States to study to become a veterinarian.

“I plan on going to college in Brazil, but I've really thought about coming to the U.S., that's been something I've been interested in, but I haven't been able to do it yet. Hopefully soon, or maybe in a few years, I'd like to come back to finish college, because that's what I really wanted to do.”

Kuri was inspired to join an exchange program after watching her older brother and sister go to the United States, which sparked her own desire to travel. She says she would like to visit Spain or Germany next.

“The biggest challenge for me in my last year of exchange is being in a different place. [where] “I didn't know anyone and it was hard for me to adapt to this country and this new culture,” Khuri said. “My grandma put me in English classes so I could learn more, so I've been taking English classes since I was nine years old.” [Which] When I came here, it really helped me out.”

Students must pay their own airfare and a deposit to the school district to participate in the program. The Rotary Club of Sedona Village provides the students with a monthly allowance, and their host families provide everything else.

“Living with three families is part of the experience for them because we all have different ways of doing things, different habits and activities,” says Jeanette Bill, youth exchange officer for the Rotary Club of Sedona Village. “It helps them get a better picture of life in America. If you can't find three families, you can live with two or even one, but we prefer that you live with three families. Also, splitting up the families puts less strain on one family.”

During her time in Sedona, Culi stayed with Angela and Edward Emerson, Dave and Ann Bierman, Sabra Sanzotta and Jerome Hughes and his daughter Arianne, according to a press release from the Rotary Club of Sedona Village.

She and 17 other exchange students from Rotary District 5495, North Central Arizona, went on various trips, including to the Grand Canyon, to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, RYLA leadership camps in Prescott, Las Vegas and Mexico for the Rotary District Conference. During a weekend in Sedona, the 18 exchange students picked apples in Oak Creek Canyon to benefit the Sedona Community Food Bank and played and hiked at Slide Rock State Park,” the press release stated. “Gabi also enjoyed adventures with her host family, visiting Disneyland, SeaWorld and Washington, D.C., and snowboarding at Snowbowl.”

While Kyuri is in Sedona, SRRHS junior Kaori Emerson went to France as an exchange student and recently returned home. The school is asking its outbound students to volunteer to host the exchange students, but so far no one has volunteered for next year.

“We hope someone will participate again next year,” says Bill. “By hosting international exchange students, our children realize that there are many different people in the outside world. Rotary believes that meeting people from other cultures and countries can promote world peace. We see this as part of Rotary's peace program.”

Bill is also exploring the possibility of a student exchange with the Rotary Club of Canmore, Alberta, Canada, as part of a “sister city” agreement that Canmore and Sedona signed last month as part of the process of becoming official international sister cities. Currie was active in the Interact Club, Rotary's high school equivalent, and in varsity sports at SRRHS.

“We started playing soccer, but we didn't have enough players and it was stopped,” Kuri said, “so we switched to volleyball, which was a lot of fun. Then we started track and field, which I'd never done in Brazil, but here I liked track and field the most and really enjoyed playing different sports.”

Curie competed in the 100-meter sprint, 200-meter sprint, triple jump and long jump. She was part of the girls 4×100-meter relay team that competed in the Arizona High School Association Division 5 Championships May 3-4 at Red Mountain High School in Mesa.

“Gabi is an extremely hard worker and everyone at school really likes her. She's very friendly and fun to be around and is very involved in school activities,” coach Shawn Eicher said.

Culi said her time spent listening to music along Oak Creek will be her best memory of Sedona.

“She got along really well with my daughter. [Ariane] “My 13-year-old daughter had the best experience because of Gabi's authenticity,” said her host mother, Sabra Sanzotta. “We had a little party here with everyone from Rotary and some of her previous friends. [host] “We had a whole family get-together. Then she got together with each of her friends… She's really built a community of people who really care about her and really love her, because she's a really genuine, authentic, down-to-earth person. A confident girl.”

“Don't be afraid to meet new people and say yes to all good opportunities and good journeys. If you don't get scared and are yourself, you won't be disappointed,” Kuri said as advice to future exchange student candidates.

If you are interested in volunteering or hosting an exchange student in Rotary’s student exchange program, contact Bill at (928) 301-1363 or JLBill@outlook.com.