Angela Lopez’ reading stack before (left) and after Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.
By Angela Lopez, RI supervisor of Membership Growth and Experience, and a former Rotary Youth Exchange student
In 2003, I began a Rotary Youth Exchange to Denmark. My family was not a traveling one, and when I was accepted for the exchange, they were a bit apprehensive. I remember my mom crying at the airport before saying, “I really hope someone is there when you get off the plane.” Thinking back on that, I’m amazed my mom sent me, an insular 16-year-old, to another country, having only had email conversations with my hosts. If you think youth exchange students are brave, consider how brave their parents are.
I could tell so many stories of that year. I filled seven journals of amazing experiences while I was in Denmark. I had regularly journaled since eighth grade, but for the year and a half after I returned, I didn’t journal a page. I felt like, by comparison, I didn’t have anything interesting to write anymore. I didn’t just learn about another culture, I adopted customs in my life and came back a completely new person. (Looking back, I realize my journal silence was a sign of reverse culture shock and wish I had kept writing to capture my many intense feelings during that time).
My exchange year was just the beginning of my experience with Rotary. I joined the Peace Corps and helped Rotary clubs connect with Peace Corps in Colombia. In 2017, I turned 30 and joined the Rotary Club of Phoenix, Arizona. I served as president in 2021-22, and as assistant governor in 2022-25.
In 2023, I was hired by Rotary International and now serve on the Membership Growth and Experience team. I am passionate about youth services and about inspiring millennials to give to The Rotary Foundation. I am my club’s TRF chair and a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF+8).
When I mention to Rotary members in my district that I am a past president of my club, many are amazed that, as a woman in my 30s, I became one of only five women to serve as president of the 108-year-old club. But I’ve often found myself in predominantly male spaces. In high school, I even played football. My youth exchange experience without a doubt has also helped me succeed, with the knowledge and respect for Rotary that I learned.
There are now three former youth exchange students in my club. Seeing me as president inspired others like me to join, seeing that we had a place.
I often hear parents question sending their children on a youth exchange, because they feel that at 16, they are not mature enough. Looking over my journal entries from those days, I am sure many of you would think, “Who let that girl get on a plane by herself?” But it’s actually the experience that makes a person ready.
One of our past district governors, Elizabeth Mahoney, is fond of saying, “I appreciate Rotary for giving me opportunities to do things before I was ready.” I couldn’t agree more. After 22 years, I am still learning from Rotary members around me as I embark on new projects.
As we prepare to celebrate Membership and New Club Development Month in August, consider:
- Attending a membership or networking event.
- Inviting family and friends to a service project to showcase the impact of Rotary.
- Mentoring a new member. Mentorship can empower new members to take on leadership roles.
