Rotary : The Common Thread

In February 2020, I travelled to Paris for a semester abroad at the illustrious Sorbonne, something I had been looking forward to for years. However, despite my excitement, I did have a number of concerns. First, housing. Parisian prices put Toronto to shame. Second, enrolling in classes, which required navigating the infamous French administrative system. The stories are to be believed – it was pure torture. And finally, meeting people. I knew I wanted to make French friends, so I could practice speaking French and maybe finally learn some slang. My French was, and is, strangely formal in the way only non-native speakers can be. This friendship problem plagued me for months prior to my departure and for my first week. Classes started and finding someone to talk to who wasn’t also a foreign student seemed impossible. The foreigners drifted together naturally, perhaps because we could immediately see the unique combination of fear, confusion, and exasperation that only the French university system could cause. I pondered the French Friendship Fiasco for a week as I wandered aimlessly through the streets of Paris, all while nibbling a croissant. You know, as one does when in Pareeeee! Then it hit me – what club was I part of at home that constantly engaged with the international community?

I looked it up right away and discovered a very active Instagram account for the Rotaract Club of Paris. I scrolled through the pictures – they were my age, they were highly engaged, and they met every other Tuesday. I sent off a message and received a reply – of course I was welcome! And so, I went. They meet in the basement of a restaurant called Sacré Frenchy, which is a truly delightful name. The minute I entered the room, I was greeted by a flurry of people who leaned in and gave me the famous French bise. Unthinkable in the age of covid-19, this easy greeting brought me into the fold right away. We sat and watched the presentation by a representative from a bone marrow donation centre and I was handed paper after paper. Confused, I just scribbled my name and email on every sheet and hoped for the best. When I received a series of emails a week later, I realised I had signed up for over 6 volunteer opportunities - oops. I ended up going to volunteer at a children’s hospital in the suburbs of Paris, where I played a game of cards with a little boy and two other Rotaractors. It felt strangely familiar, arriving at a volunteer spot and getting to work with people my age, having easy conversation and laughing as we worked. I felt weirdly nostalgic for the onion chopping and carrot peeling sessions at the Shepherds of Good Hope during my tenure as CSD. As we snapped a selfie at the end of the session, my head reeling with all the new French phrases I had picked up, I felt that I really was part of an international community of young people who truly wanted to help others. Paris and Ottawa are polar opposites, and yet I felt the same closeness, friendship, and community-mindedness in both cities. This makes Rotaract unique – it is truly an international organisation and thus an invaluable resource for young adults looking to become a part of their new communities. Though my exchange was cut short due to coronavirus, I am comforted in knowing that wherever I may end up, through Rotaract I can find a group of like-minded young adults who are trying to make their community – as well as the world at large- a better place.