Maturity doesn't come with age, it comes with learning. I have realized that and will always stand by that throughout my life. I have been in many situations where maturity is not at all depicted with age, it's frustrating but rejuvenating. Nobody likes to deal with difficult people but it's something you can't avoid. Its necessary and you need to learn to respond well to it.
Thats one of the things I've learned here during my exchange. I have learned and will continue to learn how to deal with difficult people without letting it effect me as much as they would like. I know it's not something that will disappear once I go home and I have accepted that. There will always be difficult people and the only thing you can do about it is smile and do the right thing.
I have been surprised by the maturity of many and I have seen the growth in my maturity as well. I have begun responding better to difficult people or bad situations and I am very proud of myself for growing as much as I have (although sometimes we all make mistakes). I have observed the maturity of other exchange students as well and have seen the growth in them too. Exchange really changes you and teaches you lessons that you can't learn at school.
Its not time that develops maturity or character but its the things that happen to you that does.
This is a picture of all of the exchangers I have watched grow throughout our time being here in Brazil and I couldn't appreciate the changes occurring with us more than I am.