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| MEET AUDREY LAVIS |
Editor: Lisa Encarnacion
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| Most would agree that the experience that a Rotary exchange student has as a "son" or "daughter" can be life-changing. And, in many cases, it is a journey of discovery—of a new culture, new people, a different language. Of course, no journey is the same.
Audrey Lavis, who turns 18 on Sept. 12, began her Rotary exchange journey on Sunday, August 16, when she was warmly greeted at O'Hare International Airport by members of her host club, the Schaumburg Hoffman Estates Rotary Club. She had left her home in Rochfort, Belgium many, many hours before, excited about her trip and all that lay ahead.
Her first night was spent with her first host family, Debbie and Erick Schmidt, and their three children, Max and Luke, 8, and Mya, 3, in their Schaumburg home.
Audrey has completed the equivalent of high school studies in Belgium, and will be taking classes at Hoffman Estates High School during her stay. Upon returning to Belgium, she plans to study journalism.
An accomplished musician and dancer, Audrey has played piano for 10 years. She has also studied music theory for the past two years, while taking singing lessons. At four years of age, she began taking dance lessons and for the past two years has studied modern jazz and hip hop.
The daughter of a farmer and a nurse, Audrey is the second oldest of four children. Her older sister is 20 and studying to be a nurse, while her younger sister is 15 and younger brother is 9.
One of Audrey's initial reactions to life in America was how different the food is.
"It's like in a movie," she smiled. "Everybody likes to shoe me different things." She especially like American hot dogs and pizza.
Audrey has been thinking about what she wants to do during her time here, but some definite plans include experiencing all Chicago has to offer and visiting New York City.
"I want to discover so much," she explained. "I've never really travelled before."
Her experience so far as a member of the Schmidt family parallels that of her own family in Belgium.
"It's really fun," she explained. There are so many things similar to my family, like younger brothers and sisters. They're a great family." |
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