Finding a Second Family: My Unforgettable Rotary Exchange in France

Life has these special moments where everything just fits, and you feel like you belong. That’s exactly what happened during my Rotary exchange trip to France. It was more than just swapping a piece of paper with the good folks at the Rotary Club of Chemellie—it was like we were connecting our lives and stories. I can still clearly recall that day, with the gentle French breeze around us as we all met up. Their welcoming smiles made me feel like I had known them for years, and I realized family can be found anywhere, even miles away from home.

What’s amazing about this exchange program is how it brings people together. Every handshake, shared dinner, or story we exchanged under the open skies of France brought us closer. Handing over that letterhead, it might have seemed small, but it felt like a big symbol of the trust and friendship we shared. I was so thankful in that moment, seeing firsthand how networking isn’t just business

it’s about forming real human bonds

– Sneha Taori

This trip wasn’t just about visiting new places; it was about really getting to know people. The Rotary Club members were so warm and kind, they were more than hosts—they became my protectors, my buddies, my French family. We’d talk about anything and everything, from simple jokes to big ideas about bringing the world together.

You could really feel the Rotary’s idea of putting others first in everything we did together. They were all about making a difference, which is something I believe in too. And in that common goal, we built a connection that lasted.