Gabi Curi Returns to Brazil, Yet Her Global Curiosity Endures

Gabi Curi, 18, has returned to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, after graduating from Sedona Red Rock High School. Over the past year, Curi was hosted by several Sedona families as part of a Rotary Club exchange program.

“The people that I met here, all the families that I stayed with, and all friends are the hardest things to leave behind,” Curi said. “I’d like to thank Rotary and all the families I’ve stayed with because they made it a great year and they made it easier for me to adapt.”

Reflecting on her future, Curi mentioned the possibility of returning to the U.S. to pursue veterinary studies. “I’m going to do college in Brazil, but I’ve really thought of coming to the United States.”

Curi was inspired by her older siblings who previously joined the exchange program, igniting her own desire to explore. Next on her travel list are Spain and Germany.

“The biggest challenge for me over the last year of the exchange is to be in a different place [where] I don’t know anyone and to adapt to this country, and the new culture,” she said. Curi credited her English proficiency to classes her grandmother had her take since she was nine.

Students in the program cover their airfare and a school district security deposit, while the Rotary Club of Sedona Village provides a monthly stipend. Host families cover the rest.

“It’s part of their experiences to live with three families because we all have different ways of doing things,” said Youth Exchange Officer Jennette Bill. “It gives them a more robust picture of living in America.”

During her stay, Curi lived with Angela and Edward Emerson; Dave and Anne Biermann; and Sabra Sanzotta and Jerome Huez, according to a Rotary Club press release.

She participated in trips with 17 other exchange students from north central Arizona. Visits included the Grand Canyon, a Diamondbacks game, a RYLA leadership camp in Prescott, Las Vegas, and Mexico. Curi also visited Disneyland, Sea World, and Washington, D.C., and went snowboarding at the Snowbowl.

While Curi was in Sedona, SRRHS junior Kaori Emerson was in France as an exchange student. For the program to accept incoming students, there must be an outgoing volunteer from the school.

“We hope to have someone the year after,” said Bill. “Having international exchange students opens kids’ eyes to the fact that there’s a world of other people out there.”

Bill is also exploring exchanges with the Rotary Club in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. This follows a “Friendship Cities” agreement signed by Canmore and Sedona.

In Sedona, Curi was active in the Interact Club and participated in varsity sports. “I started doing soccer, but they canceled because we didn’t have enough players,” she said. She switched to volleyball and eventually found her passion in track.

Curi competed in the 100- and 200-meter dash and the triple and long jump. She was part of the girls’ 4×100-meter relay squad that competed in the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division V Championships.

“Gabi is a very hard worker, everyone in the school really enjoyed her,” said Head Coach Sean Eicher.

Curi expressed her fondness for spending time along Oak Creek. Her host mother, Sabra Sanzotta, praised her, saying, “She’s built a community of people that care about her because she’s just very genuine, authentic, down to earth. Confident girl.”

For future exchange students, Curi advised, “Don’t be afraid to meet new people and just say yes to all the good opportunities and all the good traveling.”

Those interested in volunteering for Rotary’s exchange student program or hosting can contact Bill at (928) 301-1363 or JLBill@outlook.com.