In February 2017, I received an email granting me a one-year school scholarship in the state of Georgia, United States, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. Immediately, I accepted. Although I was excited about the news, I had not realized yet that this was the entrance ticket to the most incredible year of my life!

My name is Felipe Nakamura Bassani; I'm a 22 year old student studying Architecture and Urban Planning, and I am a recipient of the Georgia Scholarship Rotary Student Program (GRSP) for the year 2017/2018. By accepting this scholarship,I was not only taking on the responsibility of representing the Rotary Club Campo Mourao Raio de Luz and the district 4630, but also Brazil in all occasions. Because of this, I've made use of my social skills,leadership, and energy, in order to promote a good relationship with other students and Rotarians through friendship and understanding.

In August of 2017, I took the plane to Atlanta, Georgia,where I met my Trustee Jackie Cuthbert and the president of my sponsoring club, Rick Otness. They both took me to TimLe and Amy Lam's house, two people who would become my second family during my stay in the United States. The Vietnamese ancestry of my hosts made the whole experience even more enriching, introducing me to not only the American culture, but also to their culture of origin. In the same month, I started my studies at Oglethorpe University, a small institution, but with a great tradition that dates back to its founding in 1835. I have had the opportunity to explore several areas of knowledge that have always interested me: International Politics, Leadership and Urban Planning, Anthropology, Photography, Music,and Film Direction. Since then, many opportunities have come through Rotary that has made me believe that great things show up when you step out of your comfort zone. I explored the connections that my host family provided me, such as dinner parties with the key players of the city. Other Rotarians have also welcomed me to partake on trips with them, such as going to New York and Chicago, where I had the opportunity to attend the Architecture Biennale. This leads me to a valuable tip for my colleagues and any future GRSP students; be open and willing to new ideas, people, and experiences, as they can open many doors. Make sure to express gratitude as this will ensure that those doors will always be open. Remember, it just takes a conversation to change your future.

The friendships I have created so far are the most precious thing that I will take from the whole experience. It took only a few minutes with the other students to realize that we are all the same, regardless of our country of origin, and that we all carry the motto that moves the gears of Rotary, "Service above self". To top off an already unbelievable year, in December I was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship Commendation during the district governor's visit to our club, for the services rendered to the good relationship among the nations of the world. There are no limits to the opportunities available, so follow your dreams and aim to fly high. During this year, I have matured and obtained and developed skills that I was not even aware I had in me.

I would like to express the highest of gratitude: for the people and experiences I have encountered, for my family here and in Brazil who supported me to leave my comfort zone, and lastly, but certainly not least, for the scholarship provided by the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, Raio de Luz,and Parque do Inga.