Albert Skogar Visit Summary & Farewell

Our beloved Rotary Exchange Student from Sweden, Albert Skogar, presented his visit summary and farewell address to the club last Wednesday.

 

Albert started by revisiting his conversation with friends back home prior to departing for the states.  They were excited to hear Albert would be spending his time in Texas - not some "boring state that no one cared about like Ohio!" On arriving here in Texas, Albert recalled seeing more "pasture land" from the airplane window than he had ever seen before in his life.  And cowboy boots are for real.  He mentioned seeing more boots than he originally expected to see, and that's saying a lot!

 

Albert mentioned he had the privilege of living with three great host families during his stay.  He started by thanking Kim & Westin Clarkson, who served as his first host family.  He remembers the initial tour of the area, settling into his new life here and at Tivy High School, and going on several amazing trips with the family.  One trip included Austin City Limits, and the other a trip to Breckenridge, CO with the Clarksons and Greens.  Albert said traveling fifteen hours by car was definitely more than the typical "long" trip of two-three hours back home, but also mentioned the great company helped the time fly by!  Other highlights of his stay included good, "honest" instruction at the hands of the Clarkson's children (he was thankful for their help with the subtleties of the English language!) and "shooting guns with Carson," and item he can now cross off of his bucket list. 

 

His second stay was with the David & Cathy Martin family.  Albert highlighted spending Christmas at "the ranch - a REAL Texas Christmas."  He also mentioned spending the majority of soccer season with the Martins, and officially converting Cathy to a soccer mom.  Albert turned eighteen during this time as well, and candidly recalled receiving Swedish Fish candy as a gift from a number of his friends!  Albert also talked about his trip to New York, which he said was "cold like home," and gave him the chance to see a lot of iconic American landmarks he always wanted to see.  Though he also planned to tour Washington D.C., Albert got sick on the N.Y. trip and spent the remaining time in a hospital in Newark instead. We're sorry about that Albert!!

 

Albert's last stay on his journey was with Peter & Tessie Nolan, non-club members who wanted the pleasure of hosting a Rotary Exchange Student.  Albert explained that the soccer season was STILL going on, but that it was a good thing, because his Tivy Antler team was now in the playoffs.  As a matter of fact, the team made it to the third round of the playoffs, marking one of the most successful seasons in Antler Soccer history!  There's no doubt you had something to do with that playoff run, Albert!  Albert attended prom while with the Nolans and also traveled with the family to the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, TX.  He mentioned enjoying that trip, particularly with the hiking and horseback riding experience also involved.

 

In wrapping up his visit summary, Albert said he was excited to get back home, but that he'll miss his Texas friends, his host families, the Rotary Club, and the "good weather."  He mentioned feeling "more grown up now" and better able to relate to others.  He also feels he's now a more confident speaker with a "better sense of self." Back home, Albert will finish two years of high school, serve as a sailing instructor, and possibly pursue a career in law, politics, or serve in another civic role.  His new favorite food is BBQ and he leaves with basic instruction in the two-step.  So I guess we did our job as Texans on that note!

 

Albert, I know I'm speaking for the entire club when I say that you will be missed.  Thank you for the great memories and we look forward to seeing you in the future!

Jeff, Chris, Albert & Reece Zunker (Tivy Antler Soccer Coach)