To all your prospective students out there....MAKE SURE YOU GO TO THE BIG BEAR TRIP! Your YEO might tell you its "not that big of a deal" or that "you will learn everything you need to know at the Camarillo trip".
LIES!!!! Here are some basic things you need to know about the Big Bear Process:
Vocabulary You Will Need To Know
Inbound: Students coming from Europe to America
Outbound: Students who are traveling next school year
YEO: Youth Exchange Officer. There is one for every district. They will be handling your paper work and placement in your specific country so be very nice to them!
District: A regional place with a number attached for example I am from San Diego and out District number is 5340
Host Family: The family you will be staying with, either in Big Bear or in another country. They will provide food and lodging for you in both places
What to bring
So you will be going to Big Bear in the winter time so....dress warmly. More importantly bring snow pants...I had the misfortune of not bringing snow pants and a waterproof snow jacket! YOU WILL BE SKIING! There is no doubt if you are a beginner, like I was, you will fall....a lot. But if you have proper attire it wont be a problem.
Secondly you will be staying in someones house....either someone at Big Bear High School or one of the Big Bear Rotarians! Still bring a sleeping bag because you might end up sleeping on the floor if they don't have extra beds! Also there is always some sort of dance while you are up in Big Bear so bring something casual nice. I mean a clean pair of jeans an a pretty T-shirt will do the trick for these low key dances.
The "Do's" of Big Bear
Most importantly bring a friendly attitude! Everyone is in the same boat as you are! We all went through the same thing and you should be happy to be around people who understand what a drag going to the doctor and the dentist and filling out 20 pages of information is. Read the entire field manual! They do give you a test!!!! And its good to know exactly what is happening. Bring a head shot of yourself to give for your business cards. Everyone has business cards and you need a picture. If you don't bring one they will take one right then and there during the interviews and it might not turn out how you like! Do come prepared for a A LOT of talking. This weekend is all about getting to know you and how awesome you are! The interviewing Rotarian's want to know all about you so they will ask A LOT of questions. Find out your district number...you will be asked what it is and where you are from so be prepared! Bring at least 100 dollars. I know they say 20 but trust me the more the better you want souvenirs and good food and everything adds up so don't skimp on the cash!
The "Donts" of Big Bear
Don't brag about how much of a language you know or how many times you have traveled to Europe because odds are there is someone who knows much less and you will make them feel inadequate. and that is a quick way to make enemies! Play it cool make light conversation with all of the inbounds and outbounds, even the ones outside of the car you drove up in! Don't tell too much personnel information....honestly I am sure you having a tonsillectomy was really interesting but I don't want to know anything about it! Keep conversation light. Don't show up without filling out ALL of the paper work! It makes everything a total nightmare! Confusion galore! Don't be nervous through the interviews. The rotarians just want to get to know you! Make sure you are friendly and polite and there is a 99% chance that you will be sent somewhere in the world!
The Big Bear trip is not about learning how to be respectful to your host family or how to travel alone. It is about networking. Meeting your fellow out bound students is essential! These are the people you are either going to be spending a year in Europe with. Sure they might not be going to the same county or even the same continent. But next year you are going to want to know as many people as possible....who are in the same boat.
So remember everyone be yourself and have tons of fun!
