Dear Rotary Club Members of Queenstown,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and incredible support I have received since becoming a part of your club.
On September 7th, when I received the news that my student visa to study in Queenstown had been approved, I was filled with both excitement and a significant amount of fear and uncertainty. The thought of moving to a new country where I didn’t know anyone and barely spoke the language was daunting. I felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of this life change.
However, one of the greatest blessings of being a member of Rotary International is knowing that there is a Rotary Club in nearly every corner of the world. This gave me a sense of reassurance, and I began to research the Rotary Club in Queenstown. Finding your website from Mexico was incredibly inspiring; knowing that the city I was about to call home had a Rotary Club actively contributing to the community brought me immense comfort.
With a little help from Google Translate, I mustered the courage to reach out, and to my delight, I received a response from the best host I could have hoped for: Ross Beal. From the very first email, Ross was kind and informative. Each message I received from him explaining the club's activities made me feel more confident and reassured that I would not be alone in this new chapter of my life.
Attending my first Rotary session was a truly humbling experience. Meeting each member of the Queenstown Rotary family was inspiring, and although the language barrier has been a challenge, I am grateful for the patience and empathy you have all shown me. Being a part of the club has not only helped me improve my English but also deepened my sense of connection to this community.
Participating in the club’s activities has given new meaning, value, and purpose to my time in Queenstown. Whether it was the joy of seeing families come together at the Duck Race, visiting the local rescue team, or witnessing the impact of the donations made to those in need, every moment has reinforced my belief that I am in the best place, surrounded by the best people.
The sense of belonging I have found within the Rotary Club of Queenstown is something I have never experienced before. Thanks to the kindness and dedication of Ross, Fiona, David, Tim, Gabrielle, Cora, Hamish, and every single member, I feel proud and inspired to contribute to the city I now call home.
Thank you, thank you, thank you—words cannot fully express how grateful I am for this experience and for the incredible sense of community you have given me. You are truly admirable, and the magic of Rotary shines brightly in Queenstown because of you.
With all my gratitude,
Genny.
