MAKING IT A SMALLER WORLD
It all began at a autumn 2011 Rotary meeting that our Youth Exchange outbound student Coco Lee attended - she was there to share her year experience when the letter came in from a inbound New Zealand student that needed housing. Coco said to me, "Hey Nancy, you’d be a Great Host Mom." To be truthful I had never thought of it before … but upon reading Leigh’s bio and having been to New Zealand, it was meant to be .
So in January 2012, this tall blonde landed in Canada. We were both anxious and a tad nervous, but it didn’t take long before we both knew it was the best experience ever for both of us. Leigh’s year in Canada was enriched by all the young people who welcomed her, plus my own family. And, my home was filled with young people and laughter as the year flew by.
A year later Leigh’s mother came to Canada for a visit, and Leigh has returned to Canada two times. After I retired in 2016, I visited them in the Capitol of New Zealand, Wellington and visited the Rotary club that sponsored Leigh. What a thrill that was!
On February 10, 2018 Leigh was married. I was fortunate enough to attend her outdoor wedding at her parents home. Best of all, only her parents knew I was attending. Every traveled mile was worth the 
surprised look of joy on Leigh’s face when she saw me. Needless to say it was an awesome wedding and experience meeting Leigh's extended family and friends.
surprised look of joy on Leigh’s face when she saw me. Needless to say it was an awesome wedding and experience meeting Leigh's extended family and friends.Our visits will continue across the globe. Her parents have promised me they will come to Canada and Leigh and husband Brad are already saving to come back to Canada.
I will be forever grateful to Rotary for how it enriched my life hosting a Youth Exchange Student, in the most positive experience ever!
Thank you, Rotary.