DO you know of a student with an interest in travel and wants to experience a different culture? The Rotary Youth Exchange program could be the perfect fit.
For Kayla Adams, Grace Scott and Mackenzie Simmonds, participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange program through the Swan Hill Sunrise Rotary Club is something that still has a profound impact on their lives – all for the better.
Ms Adams and Ms Scott travelled to Denmark in 2016 and 2019 respectively, and Ms Simmonds came to Swan Hill from Ontario in 2018-19.
“I think we all say it’s the best decision we have ever made going on exchange,” Ms Scott said.
“I was just someone who was always really interested in different cultures and world events and all those sorts of things, and was always kind of looking to push myself to new opportunities, always trying to better myself, and I just thought it would be a really great opportunity to receive a different kind of learning and make those connections.”
Rotary Youth Exchange Australia is a 12-month program for students aged between 15 and 17. Some of the destinations that participants can go to include Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France or the US.
“The idea of the program is to allow students to go an explore and experience a different culture in a different country, perhaps learn a new language, and mingle with people that they wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to meet – a network of students from across the globe with similar interests and values,” Ms Adams said.
Ms Adams believes what separates the Rotary exchange program from others is the “connectedness” it creates, particularly with other exchange students.
“The people you meet on exchange will be your lifelong friends, and lifelong family too,” she said.
“We all got to stay with three or four different host families, and just the connection that you make with them is just unreal – it’s like you are invited into a part of their family, and that is something that will never change no matter how old you get or how much time passes by.”
Ms Simmonds can attest to that, returning to Swan Hill five years after her exchange from Canada to reunite with her host family, and keeping with the other exchange students she met while being a part of the program.
“It’s really exciting because we have all stayed really connected throughout this – we got so close because we were all coming to the same circumstance or situation,” she said.
The Sunrise Rotary Club of Swan Hill is encouraging students who are interested in the exchange program to get in touchApplications for the 2024 program close on April 25.
“You are not going to know how much you enjoy it until you actually try it,” Ms Adams said.
“If you are one that is always looking for something a little bit different or perhaps you just want to expand your knowledge of the world, this program is amazing.
“At the moment we are seeking interest from students that are looking to go on exchange for next year, but even also in the next couple of years – if it is something that you are interested in, certainly let us know now.”
Sunrise Rotary Club is also looking for families in Swan Hill with an intereste in hosting an exchange student later this year.
For more information about the program, or to register interest, contact Kayla Adams at swanhillsunriserotary@gmail.com or through the Swan Hill Sunrise Rotary Club Facebook page.
