What is a dream? When we fall asleep, we go to another world with dragons, or perhaps we find ourselves having a coffee with famous comedians. We think of dreams as places where all our desires come true. Theoretically, yes, some dreams are like that.
But at a deeper level, dreaming is having something deposited in your heart that grows and grows until it pushes you to pursue that desire and accomplish something. It doesn’t matter how difficult it is or how much you might lose; a dream is a place that feels both unreal and illuminating. A dream will change you, just as this one has changed me.
This was a dream placed in my heart. It forced me to learn a new language, find a job, give up my sports, spend entire days in preparation, and endure hours upon hours of paperwork and stress. This dream made me leave my family, start a new life, and lose scholarships and friends.
If this dream is so difficult, why am I here? Because, deep down, I know this dream unites us—not just as members of the human population, but across different societies and cultures. I believed I could make a difference, and I found success thanks to the guidance of the Rotary programs.
Why Follow a Hard Dream?
The real question is: why follow a dream hidden in your heart if it is so difficult? I will say this: I have expanded my knowledge and my opportunities. I learned how to save my money (and spend it), try new things, manage my time, and face stress. This dream allowed me to form new families and build interesting relationships; it made me grow so much. This is the dream I saw, and this is the dream I am living.
This year I met many people, all with different stories. With each of them, I had to learn a different kind of patience and empathize in a unique way. In this, I have grown tremendously. I can say that it is not only my credit that I have changed and improved as a person. It is also thanks to the families, friends, and people who helped me throughout the year—the teachers, parents, and mentors. Even today, looking back, I remember the moments my first host mother helped me every day. I remember one day in particular when she helped me with the verbs essere (to be) and avere (to have). In that moment, I understood how to study to improve my Italian. There is a moment with every family and person where, if someone asked me, I could name at least one thing they did for me. My patience, the desire to learn, the love of family, and the hope of staying in Italy are all due to the people I met here.
Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone
With Rotary, you have to throw yourself into complicated moments. I had to immerse myself in different Christmas traditions and a different school system. I was lucky in every situation. In class, I met my closest friends, as well as on the bus, at dance class, and even among random students at school. I was lucky, but it was because I had the desire to dive in—to immerse myself in things I never knew could create such strong bonds. And now, I am not ready to accept that I have to say goodbye.
I recall a quick example: a year ago, I sent a message to a “Rotex” (a former exchange student) named Dino, one of the best people I’ve ever met. In my “Italianglish,” I asked him to send me the contact information for other exchange students so I could establish connections. His answer summarizes how revolutionary this program is.
He explained that he didn’t have the contacts yet, and added: “Personally, I want to tell you that I wouldn’t have given them to you anyway. That’s because the exchange is about stepping out of your comfort zone. Entering a room full of people you don’t know will often be the most important part of the experience.” From that moment, on September 21, 2024, I did exactly that. I stepped out of my comfort zone and received some of the most important memories of this exchange. Since then, I have gained many close friends who feel like family.
The Data of a Dream
I kept a digital diary of my exchange; every day I published a post explaining what I did. Almost all of them were written in Italian. Because of this, I know:
- I spent time with more than 145 people and formed meaningful bonds with them.
- I tasted more than 377 meals and snacks (not including gelato!).
- My Italian and my confidence improved by 400%.
Today is my 263rd day in Italy. Nearly 50 of those days were spent doing something within the Rotary scope—Italian lessons, club meetings, and trips to Florence, Milan, Genoa, Rimini, and Bardonecchia. Thanks to Rotary and people like you, I can tell you that I spent the other 213 days finding myself and transforming this dream into my reality. Even when it wasn’t easy, it was the best opportunity for me to become the person I am today.
A Message for the Future
Even though I say this year was beautiful, I must be honest: I am human. There are days when I am sad, angry, or I don’t feel like doing anything. There are days I feel bad and want to go home. But this year helped me maintain a positive mindset and understand my emotions. I am happy with this year, and I am ready for my future—ready to use everything I’ve learned to improve my life and the lives of others.
So, to conclude, I have a question: What is Rotary, and why is it so important for people all over the world? I have an answer. Rotary was a dream for all of us, but as this year comes to an end, I am here to tell you that it is no longer just a dream: the Rotary International program has become my passion.
Disclaimer: This was originally written for a speech in Italy, some dates are not accurate in reference to the publishing date.