This was one of the most exciting experiences in my life. If it wasn't for the (youth exchange essay) contest, I would have never known about the Lions Youth Exchange Program. For only two weeks of writing (the essay), I spent six weeks in Finland

--Shelia, West Virginia, USA, on her exchange to Finland

My hosting family treated me like their own daughter. During my three-week stay in Nagasaki, I managed to learn a lot about the Japanese lifestyle and culture. I also picked up quite a few Japanese words and phrases.

--Jenny, Singapore, on her home stay in Japan

When people say hello and goodbye, they hug and kiss on the left cheek, right cheek, and then the left cheek.

--David, Virginia, USA, on his exchange to Switzerland

I really enjoyed my travels in Australia and would really like to thank the Swan City Breakfast Lions for sponsoring my trip. I also should give a big "thank you" to all the people in Lions that do all the organizing for the exchanges. I hope that Lions will continue with this program. It's great that young people like myself have a chance to see different countries and cultures. Thank you Lions.

--Scott, Canada, on his exchange to Australia

I attended a welcome dinner with the Shingu Lions and their families. I was honored to pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of Shingu who is also the Assistant Mayor of Japan. The Shingu newspaper interviewed me. I was able to be a mini-ambassador for Malaysia.

My trip to Japan under the Lions Winter Youth Exchange Program really enriched me. I learned about the Japanese culture, its traditions, and ways of life. Although it is different from ours, in many ways, it is similar when it comes to providing warm hospitality to visitors.

--Michelle, Malaysia, on her exchange to Japan

My hosting family owned a textile factory. My host sister taught me to weave and dye fabric. My hosting family also brought me to Fukui. There, we went to make soba. Soba is a famous noodle made in Japan.

On the 21st December, I moved to my last hosting family in Oyabe. There, I went skiing and saw snow falling from the sky for the first time.

I really learned a lot about the Japanese people, lifestyle, and culture during my one-month stay in Japan. Japanese people are polite and they like seafood. Their seafood was raw but fresh.

I learned how to wear a kimono. The kimono is the Japanese traditional costume. There are two types of kimonos; the long sleeve kimono is for unmarried people and the short sleeve kimono is for married people.

--Adriana, Malaysia on her exchange to Japan

They don't have night time there (in Finland), just twilight. One night I was playing cards with the others. I kept waiting for it to become dark. I asked about the time. It was 5 a.m.

It (youth exchange) was an experience of a lifetime. Not only did it help me see what the world is really like, but it also helped me focus more on my future and what I want to do. Many kids need only one extraordinary event to shape them into adults. My time came this summer.

--Amy, Virginia, USA, on her exchange to Finland

I will try my very best to pass on the knowledge I've learned about Japanese culture and lifestyle to my family and friends. I hope Lions Clubs International will carry on this program so that more youth from all over the world will get to benefit from it and experience the wonderful experience I have had.

--Chua, Malaysia, on her exchange to Japan

We were in the car leaving for the airport and I couldn't help but start to cry. These people had been so good to me.

--Stacy, Oregon, USA, on her exchange to Australia, New Zealand