Au revoir et bon courage, Tomas!

Posted on Jun 10, 2014

Tomas Fabre, our club’s exchange student from France, gave a farewell presentation entitled, “My Year in the U.S.”

Tomas showed a colorful array of photos, described many of the new things he learned during his stay in Stillwater and gave details about his travels.  Tomas said he enjoyed events at Stillwater Area High School, including homecoming, prom and football games. His favorite class was biology. He commented that he “really likes Minnesota,” and was happy to be able to attend sporting events including hockey and baseball games. In addition he got to ski for the first time, at Afton Alps. In a trip to Lake Itasca, he had fun seeing the statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, and enjoyed the stay in a camper, in spite of all the mosquitoes!

He also enjoyed traveling around the country with his host families. For example, he went to San Diego and enjoyed visiting Sea World and riding on a “whale watching boat.” Other vacations included trips to Las Vegas, Milwaukee and Chicago. 

Tomas Fabre, our club’s exchange student from France, gave a farewell presentation entitled, “My Year in the U.S.”

Tomas also answered many questions from Rotarians. Asked about the best food he’s had here, he answered quickly  that it was a tasty “Hot Dish”! In addition to living with and getting to know his three host families, Tomas said he has made many friends, and hopes to keep the friendships ongoing. When he returns to France, he will have two years left of high school then plans to attend college. He showed off a large colorful quilt that was given to him as a going-away present that will always remind him of the Stillwater Ponies, the city Stillwater and all his good experiences in Minnesota. 
 

Finally, Tomas presented president Paula with a flag from his French sponsor, the Rotary Club of Clermont-Chamalieres. And Paula presented Tomas with a Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club flag to bring back to the French club. 

In addition, Paula gave Tomas a cash gift and a greeting card signed by Sunrise Rotarians who wished him all the best as this chapter of his life comes to a close. “Au revoir et bon courage, Tomas!”