Isadora Bueno is a shining example of everything that is right about cultural exchange programs.
The bright and bubbly Brazilian teenager arrived in Osoyoos in late September thanks to the Rotary Club International Long Term Youth Exchange Program.
From the time she was 13 years old, Bueno has dreamed about being able to live in another country and Canada was always her first choice.
Although she has only been in town for less than two months, Bueno told Rotary Club of Osoyoos members during a luncheon held last week that she has loved her time here and is really looking forward to the next eight months before she will have to return to her family and friends in San Sebastien, Brazil.
During her visit, Bueno will be living with three different local families as a big focus of the youth exchange program is to allow participants to have as many positive experiences as possible during their one year away from home.
Bueno lived with local physician Garnet Tarr and his wife Marieze, who is the chair of the School District 53 board of trustees, when she first arrived in Osoyoos.
She is now living with Lloyd and Kelly-Anne Matthews and their family.
She will spend her final months with a third local family who haven’t been named yet.
During her presentation to Rotary Club members, Bueno charmed them with her pride in being a proud Brazilian, her love of the beach, soccer and some of the most beautiful weather on the planet.
One of the biggest thrills since she came to Canada and Osoyoos was being able to see snow for the first time two weeks ago, said Bueno.
While most people in Osoyoos and the South Okanagan recognize that we have the best weather in all of Canada, Bueno said it simply doesn’t compare to her home country.
While she has felt chilled at times because of the damp autumn weather, Bueno has a warm heart because of the overwhelming amount of support and encouragement she has received from members of this community.
She has had so much fun she admits she’s already worrying about this trip of a lifetime having to come to an end next summer.
Osoyoos teenager Tianna Smith is currently enjoying the same kind of amazing life experiences as a Rotary Club youth exchange student while living with different families and being exposed to an entirely new culture over in Finland.
Congratulations to all members of the local Rotary Club for raising the funds needed to make programs like this work and helping change the lives of thousands of young people across Canada and around the world.
We wish Bueno nothing but the best during her extended visit to Osoyoos and hope she will continue to have nothing but good things to say about our town and the people she has met here.
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Speaking of young people seeking adventure, the staff at the Osoyoos Times wish a fond farewell to reporter/photographer Mathew White, who is heading back to school after 14 months of working here at the paper. Mathew and his girlfriend are heading for a three-month trip to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania in January and we wish them an amazing and safe journey to the Land Down Under. We look forward to introducing our readers to newly-hired reporter/photographer Richard McGuire.
