Exchange to Brazil 2010-2011

As most teenagers I love spending time with my friends, socialising at school, going to parties, playing sport, having fun, and laughing and going out with friends. Even though these things all sound great for the past few years I have felt that there is a lot more to see in the world and a lot more to be done.

I live in a small country town and love my family and friends I have here, I could not imagine my life without them, but soon I will need to learn how this feels. I have been selected to represent Australia as a Rotary Exchange Student for 2010 – 2011 and will be going to Brazil.
As a future Rotary Exchange student I will spend one year living as a full time student in another country.

I will depart and head overseas to Brazil in January. I will have a Sponsor (Australian) Rotary Club and a Host (Overseas) Rotary Club. My Host Rotary Club will arrange things for me, such as host families, a counsellor and my schooling.

Rotary Youth Exchange programs are generally open to enrolled students who are between the ages of 14 and 18 and a half at the date of departure (mid-January in each year). Some countries have tighter age limits.

In your host country you may learn another language, experience different foods, study different subjects and enjoy a new culture and a new way of living.
The exchange offers you the opportunity to learn a great deal about yourself, gain confidence and self-sufficiency, as well as become an ambassador for your country.
You will attend school in your local community, as well as participate in Rotary activities and civic functions. At the same time you will be making heaps of new friends, visit exciting places and experience adventures that you will have for life.
In short, it should be a life changing experience!!

So on the 22nd of January I will leave Australia and be an ambassador for my friends, my family, my town and country. I am very excited to have been successful in the interview process and to have been chosen to go to Brazil as it was my first country preference.

I think rotary is a great program to be exchanging through and encourage everyone who is interested in travel or have a life changing experience to apply as an exchange student. There are forms on the internet and you can apply through one of the rotary clubs in your area. Travel can go from a 3 month exchange to a 12 month exchange from people aged 14 - 18.

I am so grateful to have been chosen and would like to thank my host rotary club and my family for being so supportive of my adventure of a life time.