Page 13 - 1995 Plymouth Rotary Annual Report

ROTARY EXCHANGE
STUDENT
LUKASZ PIORECKI
Starting his first visit to the Plymouth
club with the request he be called "Luke"
this young ambassador rapidly endeared
himself to all of our members who have
had dealings with him. Luke's regular
attendance at meetings could put some
members to shame.
Born October 3 1, I 1977 in Lublin.
Poland. his mother an Economist and his
father a Lawyer. Luke tells us his parents
are divorced. He lives with his mother, at
the same time maintaining a good
relationship with his father. Luke comes
to us as an Exchange Student through the
intervention of his father's business partner who is president of Luke's sponsoring
club in Lublin. This was Luke's first contact with Rotary and he says that
acquaintanceship with Rotary activities since he has been here lead him to consider
that the organization is "the best".
After eight years in Elementary School and three of four High School years
behind him, Luke has spent his senior year at Plymouth Salem High School. Luke
hopes this will prove to be an acceptable alternative to the education authorities in
Poland otherwise he will still have to complete his senior year in a Polish school.
Regardless, he says his visit has been a fantastic experience which he will always
remember. Luke says the U.S. school system is very different and that the Polish
school curriculum is much harder, and more demanding, however, he likes
both systems.
At home Luke played Soccer, ran Track and participated in Karate. In the
last year he has swum for the Plymouth Salem Men's Swim Team, no mean
accomplishment. Socially Luke has found his peers friendly and hospitable thougli
he prefers the parties at home. It seems that parties here tend to revolve around
"sitting watching movies. drinking pop and eating chips" whilst at home there is
more accent 011 socializing and dancing. Luke misses his girl friend with whom he
has maintained a correspondence and exchanged telephone calls since he has been
here. He looks forward to a reunion with some of his best friends and joining them
in the social whirl of attending cinemas, visiting coffee shops, bars and parties
around and about in Lublin.
Luke is also looking forward to the forthcoming bus tour with the 1995
Exchange Students group which will complement his travels "all over Michigan"
including places like Petoskey, Grand Haven and Traverse City and contemplates
his return to Poland on July 14 with mixed sentiments.