“We welcomed Amy [Tabor exchange student] to Orinda on Aug. 7 and love having her as part of our family. She has integrated with all of us so quickly and brings thoughtful energy and positivity to all that she does,” said Liz Daoust. Liz and Mark Daoust are hosting Amy through the Orinda/Tábor Sister City Foundation, which fosters cultural exchange and strengthens ties with Orinda’s Sister City, Tábor, in the Czech Republic. Each year, a local family in Orinda welcomes an exchange student as part of Sister Cities International. Shown here are (L-R) Amy Zahradníčková (11th grade, Miramonte), Annie Daoust (8th grade, OIS), Phoebe Daoust (7th grade, OIS) and Lucy Daoust (10th grade, Miramonte).
The first thing Amalia “Amy” Zahradníčková noticed about Orinda was its quiet charm.
“I love how calm and beautiful it is, especially seeing the beautiful hills in sunsets and sunrises,” said Zahradníčková, who arrived on Aug. 7.
The Czech teenager is this year’s winner of the prestigious Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation contest, a rigorous competition that gives one student from Tabor the chance to study in Orinda.
To earn the honor, Zahradníčková wrote an autobiographical essay in English, passed a live interview by a local board, and underwent multiple evaluations before rising to the top.
Her host mom, Liz Daoust, said she’s a “focused and diligent student… [with] a great dedication to school and her work.”
Winning is “worth over a million dollars – it’s a dream come true for most of them,” said Bobbie Landers, co-founder of the Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation.
Despite her jetlag, her first week was packed with fun activities.
“She jumped right into life with our family. On her second day here, she ventured into the city for puppy yoga, a full day of sightseeing, and a Valkyries’ game and loved all of it!” said Daoust.
Zahradníčková also quickly befriended Rosie, the family’s notoriously skittish dog.
“They are best buddies already – hard to do, but Rosie knows she is kind and calm,” Daoust added.
Despite her language barrier, she is flourishing at Miramonte. “I was able to pick so many great classes which I really enjoy. All my teachers are very understanding, which I am very grateful for,” said Zahradníčková.
Her favorite memory so far is a quintessential California experience – a weekend trip to the Daoust’s Lake Tahoe cabin. They hiked, swam, cycled and took in the beautiful surroundings.
“It was truly such a wonderful experience and the beautiful nature and calm surroundings were so lovely,” said Zahradníčková.
Founded in the late 1990s, the Tabor Sister City Exchange is an opportunity for cultural exchange on both sides of the Atlantic. This year, Zahradníčková brought her host family countless Czech snacks, including wafer cookies so good that Daoust ordered 10 more boxes online, and her family plans to visit Tabor as soon as they can.
Given the Daoust’s busy life with three daughters and an impending home renovation, she nearly didn’t host. But eventually the daughters’ persuasion won, and now, as Daoust explained, they’re “hoping for [a] lifelong connection with Zahradníčková and her family going forward.”
If the big hugs shared between the family at the airport arrival were any indication, that connection is already forming.
Zahradníčková has much to look forward to this year, such as trips to New York City, Colorado and other corners of California. And while American food isn’t her favorite yet (it’s all too processed), the warmth of her community more than makes up for it.
“There are so many nice and supportive people around which makes living here really nice and welcoming,” she said. “I have also met so many incredible and welcoming people who make my time at Miramonte truly special.”
Contributing Writer Rory Gaarder-Wang can be reached at rorygaarderwang@gmail.com.