Bermuda next month after having spent 10 months on the Island learning English and meeting new friends.

Yanid arrived in Bermuda last August from San Jose through the Rotary Club's exchange programme.

While here she has studied at the Bermuda College and taken part in a front desk reception programme at Stonington Hotel.

Her main accomplishment, however, was learning English.

At a Rotary lunch at the Hamilton Princess this week, Yanid told Rotarians that when she first arrived in Bermuda she could not speak any English.

"People in Bermuda have been very helpful especially because I did not know any English when I arrived.

"Working at Stonington helped me with my English and enabled me to meet a lot of nice people.

"My first host family, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, took care of me during the most difficult time of my stay because I could not speak the language and they did not speak Spanish.'' She added: "While I have been here I have learned a lot about myself, the people and the culture.

"Bermuda is a very interesting place -- you find people from everywhere.'' Yanid said that she learned to respect the way people thought "because normally people don't pay attention to why people think a certain way.'' She told Rotarians her home country, a democratic republic, was only protected by the Police force. "We have no army, navy or air force because we don't need it.'' Yanid added: "I'm leaving Bermuda because I have to, but I hope to come back and visit. I've made a lot of friends and I hope to keep in touch.'' While in Bermuda she also stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield Brock and Dr. and Mrs. George Cooke.