December 2009 - YEP Hopping Mag Web Site
Transcrição
December 2009 - YEP Hopping Mag Web Site
D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Rochelle - will write more! Camila - I had an amazing time! Hey, I don’t know what to write… I haven’t really done that much apart from hanging around on the weekends and going to school. The clubs at school are really fun and are great way to make new friends, I have now also joined Art Club along with Interact Club. Hanging out involves Karaoke, going to the park, shopping, movies and arcades. So anyways I will write more next month! (Is that a threat or a Promise? Ed.) Rochelle Aline - Charter Night for Robina! Aline Munguia reporting for Rotary Club, Mexico Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - Tweed Coast Rotary Club, Australia I attended my host club, as well as Murwillumbah Central, plus Charter Night for Robina. (Egads, my old club in D9640! Ed.) Aline Camila Violante reporting for Limeira Rotary Club, Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club, Australia Went a couple of times to a friend of school house, and stayed overnight twice there. Stayed in town with Florence at least once a week, went to the movies with her and she came to sleep over. Went to whales watching in a boat with my host family, some people from Rotary and Alex. Went shopping with my Australian friend to go to the social, went to a social in my school, went to Alex farewell, slept over in my next host family the whole weekend because my host sister was with me at the farewell, and on Saturday she had some friends coming over. On Sunday we went to a boat ride (my next host family and Alex) and after we went to a restaurant with all of Alex host families to say goodbye. I recognize that it was a really good month, I had a lot of fun, had the opportunity to know more people better and made some new friends. (That’s really excellent! ed.) Was terrible had to say goodbye to the others exchanges especially Alex and Florence that I saw pretty much every day but I’m fine. (Good, saying goodbye to friends can sometime be quite hard! Ed.) Went camp with my host family, some people from rotary and two friends from school. Byron Bay after the Outbounders camp my host parents stoped there because Vanessa (another exchange student from Brazil that is in Sunshine Coast was there, so we had a dinner together). Slept over in the Gold Coast in Kristi’s place (Denise) after the barbecue. My trips were really nice and I had an amazing time in all of them. Camila Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - May, June - 2009 Rochelle Carter reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - May, 2009 Location: - Gifu Nagaragawa Rotary Club, Japan of my decision including the laws of the host country 1 2 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Julia - the most challenging thing! Julia Baker reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - KlagenfurtLindwurm Rotary Club, Austria The most challenging thing at the moment is trying to figure out exactly what cooking ingredients I’m using here so that I make all these delicious cakes and breads in Australia. (I guess it could be difficult if you can’t identify nor find the correct ingredients! Ed.) Julia Luis - still doesn’t know! Student Reports - June - 2009 Luis Michelazzo reporting for Sao Joao da Boa Vista – Centro Rotary Club, Brazil Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - Lismore Central Rotary Club, Australia I still don’t know what to write in here hahaha. (I guess that anything informative would be helpful. I’ve been surfing, riding, going on trips, sitting at home totally bored with myself! Anything will do - what you’re doing at school, what you are doing in your social life, how you are fitting in, etc., etc. Ed.) Luis Rochelle - I did write more! Rochelle Carter reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - Gifu Nagaragawa Rotary Club, Japan My friends and I went down to Nagoya again and hung around Gifu for the next month or so because it was school term and so our Japanese friends had to study a lot. (OK - if they were studying a lot, what, pray tell, did you do? Ed.) At the end of my time with my second host family (the end of June) they took me to Nagoya to see the Circus Sol Le which was fantastic and interesting because the actors actually learnt some Japanese and used it throughout the performance. Rochelle Zephan - last day of school party! Zephan Thè reporting for Coomera Valley Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - June, 2009 Location: - Rotary Club, Brazil Last day of school party, went to a bar with my host sister and her friends, also went to a few Festa Juninas, a traditional fair based around the farmers and rural aspects of Brazil. To Campinas for the Nations Fair, the Fair was a good place to promote Australia to Brazilians. Zephan When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Aline - I touch kangaroo! Aline Munguia reporting for Rotary Club, Mexico Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Rotary Club, Australia 3 but we do eat Kangaroos, we even eat Emus, we even feed Kangaroo meat to our pets. I guess we are the only nation on Earth that eats both the animals that appear on our National Coat of Arms! Ed.) Brady Ok, I’m start...... Aline Brady - It’s perfect! Brady Main reporting for Mudgeeraba Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Cancun Rotary Club, Mexico Ok so I started my first day of school again and really the amount of Kangaroo and Koala jokes and questions is ridiculous it’s just getting so tiring. For example: Hey man do you eat Kangaroos hahaha, or, hey man it must be hard getting to school with all the Kangaroos on the roads hahaha. So I think I have come up with a solution to all of that, ok, so this might be the best idea that anyone has ever had. Whenever you meet someone for the first time and you say that you’re from Australia just immediately answer all the questions even if they haven’t asked them its genius. Hello my name is Brady I’m from Australia yes we have Kangaroos and no we don’t eat them or ride them like horses. It’s perfect. (Brady, sorry to rain on your parade, Camila - I’m very lucky! Camila Violante reporting for Limeira Rotary Club, Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club, Australia I had a really nice month, had the opportunity to do and know a lot of things and I know that I’m very lucky to have these experiences. I’m having a really good time in my new host family, they are really nice and treating me very well. I have a host sister that is in my year in the same school, what is very nice, and a host brother that is 11. (All part of the fun about being on Exchange new people - new experiences! Ed.) Camila Danika - I had to work! Danika Mitchell reporting for Murwillumbah Central Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Waterloo Rotary Club, United States of America This month I had to work at the local fair in the dairy bar for 4H. It was an interesting experience. I also entered some 4H work into the fair and got mostly blue ribbons which means excellent which I was very excited for. I went to another fair in Waltins Glen which is the Italian American festival which was interesting but I got to see some of my friends two are exchange Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - July - 2009 I went to Tin Can Bay with my host mother for dragon boats, and then I went to South Bank, and then I went to Crystal Castle, and then I went to Currumbin with my first host family and I touch kangaroo’s yay!!!! And koalas yay!!! And weird things aha very fun, feed animals and birds and this stuff, mmmm huh I don’t know (Wow - that sounded like it was lots of fun! Ed.), went to the movies with friends, mmmm I don´t know xd. Ohhh and we went to the bush dance!!! It was very fun!! I dance all the night haa, very different to Mexico. 4 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 students one from Switzerland and the other form South Africa. The student from Switzerland is going home next Tuesday which I am sad about he was one of my best friends here. I spent a whole day my Rotary counsellor which was fun we went to the biggest Wegmans which was pretty neat then we went to some art and craft store. Danika Jane - my summer holidays! Jane Flanagan reporting for Boonah Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Brørup Rotary Club, Denmark Student Reports - July - 2009 The true beginning of my summer holidays, started with an absolute Bang! Now with my third host family, a family of four fantastic girls (including host mum) and a Danish/German father. The annual travels were about to commence. A very early morning started the two day journey to St. Aygulf, in France. I had told the family about Ann-Clare’s location in Germany, and amazingly we were going to pass almost directly through her district! As excited as I was I still managed to sleep on the way down to Germany, with a Danish audio book playing quietly in the background, and the bumping of the slowish full car and caravan. We arrived at our overnight caravan park at around 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I had arranged to meet AC at 5:00, so I had some time to freshen up. I was so excited; it had been a year and a half since I had seen my wonderful German sister. When she did arrive it was like we had never been apart (except for the fact that we were both sobbing in each other’s arms for the first few minutes). I was able to spend the night with AC, at her little apartment in Düren. I introduced AC to everyone, and everyone to AC, then the two sisters and the German boyfriend (the very sweet Dominik) headed for a German feast, at Dominik’s parents house. It was hilarious, the Germans spoke English with there ‘Hands and Feets’! (One of the many funny lines spoken that afternoon)… That night I stayed at AC´s little apartment, and in the morning had to head back to the Jespersen’s, and continue the journey to France. • On Thursday 2nd July we arrive in warm St. Aygulf. The camping site was quite large and was a 5 minute walk from the beach, which was a popular tourist spot. So we spent the next day unpacking, reading, making trips to the beach and catching up on my tan, which, by this stage of my Danish-ness was completely non-existent! • On the 5th the family took a day trip, winding up and up the French mountains and hills, until we stopped at a little park and watched a bocce game being played by some locals… now I wasn’t completely unaware of the chopper which hovered overhead and the Le Tour de France hats people were wearing… At about midday about 100 sponsor cars came rushing passed playing music and throwing hats, tats and water bottles into the crowd which had gathered during the past hours. What a rush! It was so warm and lovely, the excitement was building, and finally 200 bikes came screaming around the relatively tight corner, and trailed down the slope, as the cheers roared up behind them! It may have only lasted 10 seconds, but it was an unforgettable 10! (One day, you’ll have to explain what ‘tats’ are? I always thought it was short for a tattoo! And I’m wondering how you can throw one around! Ed.) • We spent the next few days lounging around in the sun, relaxing, visiting the morning markets in the beautiful village, and buying groceries and ice-cream. • On the 14th some relatives of the family came around, and the kids all went to AQUALAND for the day, the French vision of Wet N Wild, it was so sunny and lots of fun! • A storm blew through one afternoon, and with it brought a fresh under current from the Mediterranean. So the beach was 18˚C for a few days, which was freezing, but nice after sun bathing in the heat. • On the 15th July, we took a train ride up When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Julia - visited within 24 hours! the coast of France to the principality of Monaco. We visited the Royal Residence, and took a tram tour around the expensive city. We also went to the National Museum and walked up the winding streets, looking at the amazing buildings and gorgeous cars! • Two days after I got back I had to change Host Families. So I washed my clothes and repacked. My time with the Jespersen’s had gone so fast, but I had many hilarious memories and great times to keep me company. • My next family was the Wind’s – three boys and one girl. A family of pig farmers, on a massive estate with extra cottages for the workers. In a tiny town called Jels (Yells). Settling in was easy, I was getting used to all the changes in behaviour with different families. (Isn’t that just a wonderful part of being on exchange! Ed.) Julia Baker reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - KlagenfurtLindwurm Rotary Club, Austria Bregenz (Oesterreich), Linau (Germany), Zurich (Switzerland) and Lichtenstein, all visited within a 24 hours window. Watching Gigi an Argentinean sing and play the song he wrote about our Eurotour on a mountain watching the sunset over a lake bordering 3 different countries. (Wow - that sounds like a great scene from a movie! Ed.) Julia Lianna - attend my weekly meeting! Lianna Fuller-Byrne reporting for Glen Innes Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club, Canada • On the 24th I went to the Vorbasse Carnival (a lot like the Boonah show but a little bigger) with some Belgium agricultural students also exchanging on the pig farm. • On the 25th I went with Birgitte (host mum) to Rømø, a holiday island off the East of Denmark. Rømø has the most amazing long wind swept beach, popular among the wind surfers and kite flyers. After a check up of the summer house, we went to Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark. First we saw the Viking museum and spent some time looking at the Amber shop and boutiques, and when it reached dusk we were able to get a tour of the old city by the Midnight Watch Man (how made the trip around the city every night in the summer time). He told tales of the old city, the burning of witches, and plaques, the wars and the history of the old buildings and ruins. It was truly haunting but totally awesome! • On the 31st Sara (host sister) and I went to the Jels Planetarium, it was really relax and fun, and actually quite interesting. Jane I attend my weekly meeting but now that the other exchange student are not here I go with my host sister. I went to my Julies house the Belgium exchange students for her good bye party it was so amazing lots of great people and food and spending time with Julie just before she went back home. On the 10th -12th of July I attended a summer conference which was held in Grand Rapids When I first arrived I was looking around and there were about 500 people that day. I knew that there were going to be a lot more arriving tomorrow by the end of the conference there were about 1200 exchange students it was so great I saw everyone from my district and every other district. At the conference we did lots of exciting things such as dances every night , catching up with friends , and talking without Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - July - 2009 • We left France on the 18th, back to Denmark. The trip home was uneventful and lazy. 5 6 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 bounds thats asked many questions and jumping around with excitement. The conference went so fast of the few days I did not want to leave I was so sad by the end of the conference I had to say good bye to those friends that I made and the rest of my district because after that I would never see my district friends again cause they were leaving the next few days after that. The guest speakers that were speaking to us were very interesting but they talked our ears off hehehe. The exchange students played many games Brazil against the world and of course Brazil won that was so a good game my friend fell over and broke his arm and just after the conference he was leaving but he had to stay in USA for a another few weeks due to an operation that he will be having on his arm (That seems a rather drastic way of extending one’s exchange! Ed.). There was beach volley-ball and swimming and just plain fun in the sun talking and laughing. The weather at the Grand Rapids was great much warmer than being in Canada. I meet Rachel the inbound to our town; she is a very lovely girl and has very nice parents. Lianna Mikkel - thrown away from home! Mikkel Norinder reporting for Nordborg Rotary Club, Denmark Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: Murwillumbah Rotary Club, Australia It’s special being sent away from home for one year. You don’t know anyone except your host family and a few Rotary members, all of whom you have only spoken to by mail and not met in person, so for some it might be a bit scary to be thrown away from home. My club has made me feel very welcome so that definitely helped me. My first challenge was to ‘’crack’’ the accent the boys in the school have. My first days at school were very tiring because I simply didn’t understand what people said. I’m getting the hang of it know and I’m starting to socialize much more than I did in the first week of school (Excellent! Ed.). Being at Byron Bay, and the trip to Byron Bay, was very, very exciting. I have never seen such nature except on television. Being surrounded by mountains/hills is also unusual to me. I wake up every morning and stare at the view. I can’t get enough of it. Student Reports - July - 2009 Luis - I still don’t know! Luis Michelazzo reporting for Sao Joao da Boa Vista – Centro Rotary Club, Brazil Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Lismore Central Rotary Club, Australia I still don’t know what to write here :). (I guess that anything is a good start! Ed.) Luis Mikkel Rochelle - Karaoke! Rochelle Carter reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Gifu Nagaragawa Rotary Club, Japan One of our favourite things to do in Gifu is to go to Karaoke. Personally I’m not particularly fond of singing in front of people but Japanese Karaoke is very different to Australian. In Japan you pay for your own room and so only you and your friends can see and hear you. When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 There is a ‘free time’ option which allows you for ¥500 to go into the Karaoke from 12pm to 6pm for as long as you want. Japanese people normally stay for a couple of hours and leave but because we are weird foreigners and their Japanese friends we arrive at Midday and leave at 6pm (And what is so weird about that? Ed.). To pass the time when we’re not singing we get food and drinks and play cards and just chat. I think (and this is going to sound like a bad excuse to go) that if you sing Japanese songs at Karaoke your speed and efficiency at reading Japanese characters improves a lot and helps with Kanji (Hey, if it works, it can’t be all that bad! Ed.). Also it is of course a great way to get your school friends to hang out and chat. Rochelle Zephan - settling in new house! Zephan Thè reporting for Coomera Valley Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Rotary Club, Brazil Holidays began, spent first few weeks settling in new house. Went out several times during the holidays with other exchange students. (Kinda makes Holidays really worth while! Ed.) Now regularly attending the Gym owned by one of the members of my Rotary club, two to three times per week. Visited the “Serra” or country house of my new host family 11-14/6/09, also went to one of their Apartments in Guaruja, a coastal town near São Paulo, 18-20/6/09 Zephan Shuko - I was so happy! Shuko Tomoto reporting for Gifu Nagaragawa Rotary Club, Japan Dateline: - July, 2009 Location: - Grafton Midday Rotary Club, Australia Shuko Aline - very cool month! Aline Munguia reporting for Rotary Club, Mexico Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Tweed Coast Rotary Club, Australia I don´t know I went to Tweed Speed yesterday, emmmm with my friends in their house, Dream World but I think last month I don’t remember, mm m I no idea I don´t remember what other things I’m doing... go to the school? Went to shopping, emmmm see movies, mm mi don’t know hah I’m sorry I’m not very good remember things, but I have a very cool month ha-ha and my experience in Australia is awesome. Thanks a lot. (At least you remembered that you had a great month, and that’s what counts! Ed.) Aline Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - July, August - 2009 I went to Dream World with my host family on school holidays. We left home at 5:00. I rode Giant Drop 3 times with my host sister Ashlee (because she loves it!) but I liked cyclone the best. And I held my lovely Koala!!! I was so happy (You certainly look very happy in your Photo! Ed.) And I also feed Kangaroos. We had really great time★ I loved there!!! of my decision including the laws of the host country 7 8 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Brady - good times! Brady Main reporting for Mudgeeraba Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Cancun Rotary Club, Mexico The most fun was taking the ferry and laughing at all the other kids who felt sick, good times. (Brady, that was sick! Ed.) Brady Brenton - long time no talk! Brenton Anderson reporting for KirraCurrumbin Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Eskilstuna Kloster Rotary Club, Sweden Hello Hello :) Student Reports - August - 2009 I know it has been long time no talk but here is another, some further reading :) (You’re right Brenton, it was May that I last received a report for the Hopping Mag. Ed.) I left the last part where I was half way through the holidays, so that is where I will pick up from, After Ebony came to visit me it was back into the swing of holidays, I spent the next week up in the Stockholm Archipelago with an exchange student, Daniel, my friend from Perth who is living in Stockholm on his exchange, we did absolutely nothing while out on his host families island, just lounging around and taking a sauna or two when we could be taken away from the sun lounge. The most favoured activities were jumping in and out of the ocean which was a fresh 15 degrees Celsius, then into the sauna again. When there is no snow to jump in, freezing cold water is next best =) (And you call 15 Deg. C. freezing water? Ed.) After that extremely hard week of Swedish Pictionary I returned home for only a few hours before going with my host family to Stockholm, we went on a roof top tour of Stockholm, including a harness and embarrassing helmets, the whole works, we were aloft the roof 40m with a full view of the cityscape, it was a fun experience and one that you never would think of doing just regularly, but after gazing at the setting sun we were then all rushed by my host dad Henric to go to the next part of the day’s activities, we then walked the city of Stockholm to Skansen, it is here in this open air museum where they film the Swedish TV show ALLSONG, it is an open air music show that had been showing every Sunday in summer in Sweden since 1935, and then been on TV since the invention of the glowing box. :) so we laughed, danced and sung all the evening, it was a really good time, there was over 10,000 people crammed into the ampetheatre which was mostly a grass hill. After that was over I went to visit another Australian exchange student in a town by the coast, 1 hour south by train. Then I finally returned home to Eskilstuna, well rested to meet the new exchange students in my town, there were 5 newbies (northern hemisphere kids), I am the only Oldie (southern hemisphere kids who have been in Sweden half year already), so I am outnumbered and having to be a tour guide slash dad and occasionally another exchange student :) but it is really fun and daunting at the same time, really fun to meet newbies and have people to show and help out around Sweden, but also to know that it is like watching what I was like when I came to Sweden only six months before. After meeting the newbies there were many more activities, we took trips to the swimming lake, Nyköping where Grace an Australian from Mildura is living on her exchange, Stängnäs to Visit Beth, another Australian from Perth on exchange. And little trips with my host family. I was lucky enough to be given a Gliding lesson for my birthday by my host family, knowing how much I liked anything that flew, they arranged to get me up in a glider, something which I have never tried before, the experience was amazing, When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 I was also lucky enough to go Rally car driving with a Rotarian in my Club in Sweden, he is a driver for his own team in Sweden. At his house just a short bus out of the city he has all the gear necessary to go out racing, including a fully equipt workshop for three cars, full time mechanic and three part time, mobile workshop, go karts (for training purposes only, 6 speed, 140cc, capable of 180km/h), he took me out in the woods in his own private training course, it was a nerve wracking ride but the smile I had was plastered on for days after. Soon it was time for school to start again and there was more things to do than ever, as I am going into the final year of Swedish school it was like re visiting Year 12 again, all of the introduction weeks and the meetings with career people. I was a little more relaxed this time around :)’ zoo, which has Tasmanian wallabies. Then my host family, Grace and I went to the largest open market in Sweden, a combination of all things from socks to lollies and anything else, the stalls lined all the streets in the small town of Filipstad, a 3 hour drive from my town in Sweden, the population of Filipstad grows from 10,000 to 100,000 over the three market festival. I bought some Swedish lollies and other little things, my host mum and dad were holding out for these markets, as so many Swedes do, so they went shopping crazy :) Then back to school, and Eskilstuna, I now am preparing things for when mum comes to visit me in Sweden, and our trip to Norway while she is here. With 7 days till she arrives I need to get a move on :) Photos are plentiful on my Facebook account and here are the links for the people who don’t have Facebook: Summer in Sweden 1 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14 2609&id=600662564&l=6ab792a9f8 Summer in Sweden 2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14 2648&id=600662564&l=771caa02ed Summer in Sweden 3 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=14 2878&id=600662564&l=567da182ca Then again, as soon as I started school I was out of it again, Grace and I had been asked by Rotary to help out the new exchange students with the week long language course which was to be held in my town, we were assistant teachers, helping with the classroom activities with learning Swedish, pass on advice and make sure that all the newbies got to where they needed to be, when they should be. It was a long week, but a fun one, they worked hard all day and then there were fun activities in the afternoon and nights including bowling and swimming, bbq and the Hej då Hope all is well where you are in the world :) Kram (hug) Brenton Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - August - 2009 an adrenalin rush, and then pilot I was with was a veteran of 60 years in the glider, Åsa, he was 83 years young and didn’t let anyone know he was getting older as he even made me a little scared as we plunged up and down throwing the aircraft to its limits, but all I could here from him was, I bet I could make this thing go faster. I knew I was safe the whole time, as before we took off I was given a parachute and a 2 minute crash course in how to operate it, unfortunately he was talking in Swedish and in my excitement I was not paying attention, luckily parachutes are sold around the world and the emergency instructions were in English and Swedish sown onto the straps saying ´´ONLY PULL AFTER YOU HAVE FALLEN CLEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT´´ :) The smile was on my face the rest of the afternoon. 9 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 10 Camila - absolutely nothing to say! Camila Violante reporting for Limeira Rotary Club, Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Ballina on Richmond Rotary Club, Australia . Camila Jane - It was hilarious! Jane Flanagan reporting for Boonah Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Brørup Rotary Club, Denmark Student Reports - August - 2009 AUGUST: • On the 1st I was invited along with my host parents, to the 15 years anniversary of Iver’s (host father) bowling team. It was hilarious; we had a nice lunch and also played some shooting and dart games. There was a competition between the ladies and gent on the mount of points gathered. I got fourth of out the 11 gents and won the out of the ladies. They gave me a box of chocolates as a prize, I was stocked! Later the evening we went out for dinner at a very fancy tavern called Ribehøj, and had a wonderful meal. • On the 2nd I visited the Trapholt Museum in Kolding with my host mother. It was an amazingly different museum based on Danish design and architecture. We also got a tour of Arne Jacobsen’s summer house which is constructed by room Cubes, which can be added, stacked and compiled as necessary. • On the 3rd I had my first Rotary meeting with my new club in Rødding. (I have two clubs because Brørup was new to the exchange student program so they decide to share with another club.) • were spent with Jonas (2008 YEP student who was sponsored by Boonah Rotary Club). It was the first time I had seen him seen I had left Australian 7 months before. I also met his wonderful family, who very generously gave me a tour of the beautiful city and a night in Tivoli (huge theme park). Jonas and I also spent a day in Sweden, only a half hour train ride from Copenhagen central train station. On my last night there I was very lucky to meet up with two Australian girls, from my school, who were backpacking around Europe. So the Aussie and the Danes spent the night having an absolute ball in downtown Copenhagen! • I attended other rotary meetings on the 10th, 17th and 24th, and gave a 30 presentation in Danish and English, with PowerPoint’s on my life in Australia and what I’ve been up to in Denmark. They were very interested and asked some great questions. • On the 15th my host mother took me to a Sommer Fest (summer celebration) in Jels. It was in a huge barn, with a live band and lots of people dancing. The Danes definitely know how to party during the day; it was hilarious and very fun! • On the 28th I went to a FOAM party with a few of my friends. The entire room was filled with foam, floor to ceiling. Unlike anything I had ever seen before!! Completely wild but a fabulous night spent with mates! (How do you find anything (including each other) in a room full of foam? Ed.) • On the 29th I travelled down to Sønderborg to my Australia friend, Jeanné 18th Aussie Celebration. We decorated the room in everything Aussie, even creating a makeshift clothes line from the light cord above the table! All the exchange students from her school were there and it was a wonderful evening with lots of laughs and Australian food! The next day we walked a little around some tombs from the war, in the paddocks just behind her house. The memorial was made so it would be a relaxing place with animals grazing and meadows of wild flowers and trees, and it was very peaceful. The last few days of my summer holiday When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - Jane CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Julia Baker reporting for Hope Island Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - KlagenfurtLindwurm Rotary Club, Austria Retz (Oesterreich bordering Czech), Belgium (host family holiday), Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, Tomato Festival, Madrid) (Wow - all of that! Ed.) Julia Kahli - in “holiday mode”! Kahli Dawkings reporting for Yamba Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Clermont Ferrand Aulnat Rotary Club, France Hello There, I am sorry that it has been quite a while since my last letter. I had quite a busy summer break without much computer access! (March by my records, but who’s keeping track? Ed.) My holidays were GREAT! The first 2 weeks I stayed at Clermont-Ferrand, my host family hosted a girl from Austria, Maria and therefore my family arranged a lot of touristy things to do. Guided visits, amusement parks, hikes all in the area where I live. This was excellent as I was able to learn more about my host region!! The following 3 weeks I spent in Brittany (North-Western France), this was nice as we were all relaxed, in “holiday mode”. The weather wasn’t always that nice and the sea was always cold but I loved being at the beach again and didn’t let that worry me!!! The first 2 weeks spent with my host grandparents (maternal), Mamaun and Dad. Their house is in a village 5 minutes walk from the beach which was nice, more like home than Clermont-Ferrand. I also got to meet most of my host aunts, uncles and cousins, there was always alot of people at the house!! I helped look after the younger kids, which was fun! I went to the beach, went boating, did a lot of crafty things, read, worked on my French, played board games, visited the area and caught up on some much needed sleep, it was a great holiday!! The third week in Brittany started by a family reunion (paternal host family), this was a great day and I was glad to meet more members of my host family! The following week I spent at the house of my host grandparents (paternal) with my host sisters and host cousins. This was again very enjoyable! One day I enjoyed a lot was the day when I went to an island in a sailing boat, I was able to steer the boat for a while!! We took a picnic lunch and passed the day on the island, exploring, swimming, building sand castles and for the others sunbaking (I wasn’t at all interested with this idea and stayed “slip, slop slapped” all day long!) On the way back to the main land we started fishing off the back of the boat, just for fun not thinking we would actually catch anything..... We ended up catching some mackerel, then cooked them on the boat and ate them fresh!! (They certainly taste much better fresh! Ed.) A great memory of Brittany! I arrived back home, for just 2 days...... unpacked my bag..... Quickly washed all my clothes then repacked my bag, Then I was off to Vinnie’s house!!! I was SOOO EXCITED to see Vinnie again after 7 months and also very happy to finally meet her family and friends and explore her town after hearing so much about them! I spent an amazing week at Vinnie’s house, we did some great and interesting things in her town and the region around it, canoeing, visiting caves, ruins, AND the factory where Vinnie’s dad works ( makes THE BEST meat products!!! Especially dried sausages [a bit like salami but better!]) I met her grandparents and her friends who are all lovely! Vinnie’s parents spoiled me for the week!! I hope to catch up with Vinnie and her family again before I return to Australia! Vinnie’s family also hosted an Australian girl, Marie from Newcastle, one of my friends from the bus trip.... it was great to catch up with her also! After my week with Vinnie I returned home, I Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - August - 2009 Julia - Tomato Festival! 11 12 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Student Reports - August - 2009 spent the next 2 Days with my first host family, the Gauthiers and was able to get to know Xavier who was in New Zealand with Rotary while I stayed with his family. I also went to the airport to welcome the new exchange students to my region. There were 10 students who arrived in my region, 3 at Clermont - Ferrand ( NatsumiJapan, Sara-Finland and Valentina-Chile) The three girls go to the same high school as me, they are in the class below me and as they don’t speak French yet, I try to help them as much as I can, as of course I know what they are going through! I am so happy that I am able to help them, as I know how good it was to have an “oldie” (Fer) and she helped me settle in and showed me the ropes! I have been back at school for just over a week! It is pretty good, long and tiring!! (I start at 8am and some days don’t finish until 6:30pm and its a half an hour in the bus.... which makes a long day!) I have started drama at school which I think I will really enjoy!! And I am continuing to do Art also at school which is nice. I am doing subjects that I enjoy and that I wouldn’t do at school at home, which is good! I also started Philosophy.... in French, which is a little hard to follow, but I like it, it is another level of thinking! My French is going good!!! I am sooooo happy about this!!!!! Life is easier now that I am more at ease with the language, although I have an accent and it is obvious I am not French I fit in better than before, I am making friends, and learning so much..... More life facts than facts we learn at school (which I seem to have all forgotten =D, oh well I can do a quick catch up before I start year 11 in 2010!) I’m reading in French, the books I am reading (the chronicles of Narnia) aren’t that hard to read but I am loving to read again...... I also am reading, the long walk to freedom - Nelson Mandela’s auto biography, (in English, not in French) which I find amazing, such a life story! I hope to get involved more with my Rotary club and also the Rotaract club in my town, that is my first goal for my last four months in France, the second is to make more friends!!! My host family is excellent, I fit in well and all is good.... in fact, I don’t really want to change families..... Which will happen in 3 or 4 weeks!!! I arrive back in Australia the 17th of January 2010, exactly one year since my farewell party! An amazing year of growth and change! My parents have everything arranged for me when I get back, a car, school, and a job which will make my return a whole lot easier!! THANKS MUM AND DAD! I have also talked with mum about the possibility of forming an Interact Club at Maclean High, and I am right behind this idea, as Rotary has given me this awesome opportunity and I want to give something back to Rotary, to stay in touch with the organization! (Excellent, it will provide its own rewards! Ed.) I am looking forward to seeing you all again, we have A LOT to catch up on!!! And I know that my last months will fly and I will be back in Australia in no time at all! But until then I will be making the most of my exchange year! I hope you are all well! Thinking of you, love, Kahli Lianna - it was so cool! Lianna Fuller-Byrne reporting for Glen Innes Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Sault Ste. Marie Rotary Club, Canada I went to an Outbounders house for 2 night sleep over which was about an hour out of the city it was so cool they live right on the beach so I went to the beach and tanned and caught the sun. They have a really lovely house like made out of old logs. My August trip that I took was to the Dominican Republic from the august 16th- 22nd I had sooooo much funn the trip was full of hot weather and the beach and I ended up very sun burnt by the end of the trip but now that I am home back in Canada I have lost alot of my tan. The days 7 that I was there were spending time with my 2nd host family we all had so much fun and we didn’t When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Lianna Luis - a good weekend! Luis Michelazzo reporting for Sao Joao da Boa Vista – Centro Rotary Club, Brazil Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Lismore Central Rotary Club, Australia We went to Tabea’s birthday party, and helped making the bonfire. But we got stuck in a giant anthill... WITH THE BIGGEST ANTS I’VE EVER SEEN!!! THEY WERE HUGE!... (We seem to like large and dangerous insects, etc. Ed.) I was lucky I got out alive... ha-ha after that, we were still gathering wood for the fire, I spotted a water dragon near us, so I went there and picked up by the tail (as I learned when we were on safari :D) . Besides that, we saw Kookaburras, Kangaroos (WITH JOEY!!!) and spend the weekend with another friends and exchange students. Yeah... was a good weekend. Luis Lisa - sausage rolls and meat pies! Lisa Turdell reporting for Gallivare Rotary Club, Sweden Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: Mudgeeraba Rotary Club, Australia The 4th of September I went on a boat cruise with my school. It was so much fun! We danced and ate sausage rolls and meat pies (I ate it for the first time). (Egads, a chance to eat some real food! Ed.) Everyone was dressed out and after the cruise one of the girls had an after party for all the year elevens. Many people stayed over and so did I, we didn’t sleep at all. The girl who was throwing the after party’s mother came out at 05.30 in the morning with sandwiches for us all. I got home at 9 am in the morning and slept until 4pm. It was my best night here in Australia so far! Paulina - I feel like I’m home! Paulina Bermeo reporting for Rotary Club, Ecuador Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Rotary Club, Australia My first month as an exchange student has been great! I love school (my classes, teachers, and friends). My host family has been amazing! I’m so glad I have Lea to share it with! The Rotarians at my host Rotary Club are such a nice group of people, I enjoy very much attending to their meetings, they’re so much fun and they really make me feel like I’m home. (Paulina, that’s really excellent! Ed.) Paulina Lisa Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - August - 2009 want to come back home we all wanted to stay until school stated (I can understand that! Ed.). I meet alot of great people which I still talk to everyday. I went horseback riding and it was so great the guide said it was only going to be like an hour long but it turned into about 5 hours mind you my host mum thought we got kidnapped or something but it was so funn looking at different country sights. When we arrived back from the horseback riding we were covered in mud dirt and trees in our hair and then we had half and hour to get ready for dinner (Now, that could have been a challenge! Ed.), I had the best time over in the Dominican Republic every night they had entertainment which was the most funniest show that I have watched every night. My host sister wants to go back at Christmas and I really wanna go back with her but I think the time she wants to go back I will be back home in Australia. My time here in Canada is going great I love it so much and my host family and friends and the school are very good. 13 14 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Rebecca - had a great time! Rebecca Caster reporting for Geneva Rotary Club, United States of America Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Maclean Rotary Club, Australia At one Point during my excursion to the Hare Krishna Society the women speaking to us asked if anyone would like to put on a sari. I, always having wondered what they were like to wear, raised my hand, and soon enough I was being wrapped in a beautiful cloth. We were in the temple and it was time for the offering to Krishna, so during the offering and for a while after we were chanting and dancing and laughing. It was a great to learn of such a different, simple cultures, filled with people whom are true and devoted to their beliefs. Each of the people that we met were as welcoming and kind to us as if we had been living in the community our whole lives. I think it is safe to say that we all had a great time, and enjoyed each other’s company for the day. (Rebecca, what a uniquely wonderful experience! Ed.) Student Reports - August - 2009 Rebecca Tomeeka - on a sail boat! Tomeeka Smith reporting for Jimboomba Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Nedenes Rotary Club, Norway On the 4th of August nine exchange students went to a little town on the water called Risør. For only having 7000 people it had life especially at night. We arrived one by one on Friday afternoon to be told we are spending the weekend on a sail boat, alone. 7 of the other students I had never meet before due to them arriving only 3 week prior. There were 5 from USA, one from Canada and one from Taiwan also me and Anna from Australia. But within minutes we were making jokes and laughing at the Rotarian that was with us. (He was laughing to). (What did the poor Rotarian do to make him the butt of your humour? Ed.) To look after us at night we had a guy called Dag Håvard who some 8 years ago was an exchange student in Australia. The first night we ate shrimps and told stories of our exchange and somehow we got to telling scary stories and jokes. That was when Håvard left and we were on our own. I think most had one eye open because of the stories but we laughed when ever we heard something like a knock or just the wind. The next morning about 5 phones went off for our 8 o’clock alarm and we still had to jump on some people to get them up. At 10 we went up to the Library\Cinema\Theatre\Hall were the Rotarians were having their meetings. We went down to the basement where we were told that we had to each write a speech and sing a song. Nervous as hell we came up with two songs and a speech. After carrying our home flags around the audience TWICE we performed one by one, I think it went alright because they seemed to laugh (maybe AT us). (Ahhh! So they did have a chance of getting back at you! Ed.) To relax we went on a sail trip to a small island just off of Risør and had a barbeque for dinner. After my team won in a friendly soccer game we heading back to the main land and joined the Rotarians for a quick chat. The next day we spent on a tour around the small town and local shops. Then we had to say goodbye to our new fellow exchangies and head home. I learnt a lot from the weekend and gained many new friends. This weekend was what Rotary and the Exchange is all about, bringing people together and helping each other. Along with experiencing a whole lot more than you expected. I am really looking forward to the next Rotary camp in a few weeks. When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - Tomeeka CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Zephan Thè reporting for Coomera Valley Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - August, 2009 Location: - Mandaqui Rotary Club, Brazil Went to the other beach apartment with the parents of my host father (they own it) incredible views of the coast, as it was located on the end of a headland. Zephan and the others. My integration in my host family is still really good. As I said in the report, they realised one of my dream: go to the Great Barrier Reef. I am really touched about all their attention. I love cook for them and help them in daily things, like washing. To finish, I would like to highlight a wonderful thing: links between exchange students. I am pretty sure we’re making friends for life. We do many things together, even if we didn’t know each other before. All the things I am discovering are really opening my mind, and I will keep my eyes wide-opened. Benjamin - I can understand almost everything! Benjamin Benjamin Despres reporting for Brive la Gaillarde Rotary Club, France Dateline: - September, 2009 Location: - Southport Broadwater Rotary Club, Australia My exchange Student life, so far, is really a great experience. I mean, every day in a life is a new day, but not that awesome. Everything goes so well. My integration in school is better every day. Even if it was hard after the first times, I finally made really good friends, and I go watch movies or this kind of things with them. I had to make many efforts to it, but now it’s really enjoyable. Even if it’s not perfect yet, I have really improved my English, and I can understand almost everything. (Benjamin - that’s really great! Ed.) In the same way of evolution, there is surfing. I had never surf before came here, and at least, I begin to have a so good time when I surf. I also can go with friends now. The other thing I really like is help people with Interact and Rotaract. And I really appreciate the fact they make no difference between me Jane - we went as babies! Jane Flanagan reporting for Boonah Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - September, 2009 Location: - Brørup Rotary Club, Denmark SEPTEMBER: • On the 2nd of September I joined my Gymnasium musical. It will be shown in November and it is called “The Commitments”, featuring songs like ‘Mustang Sally’ (Willson Pickett version) and ‘I say a little prayer for you’ (Aretha Franklin) and of course some Elvis. I auditioned and got a few extra parts, which I was thrilled about. • On the weekend of the 5th and 6th my host parents attended a small class reunion on an island called Morsø, in the north western part of Jylland (approx 2.5 hours from Jels). • We went sightseeing at an old quarry which now stands as a museum, right on the ocean. The water that had gathered in the bore holes is now too polluted with sulphur that no living animals can live in it. The rocks surrounding the quarry walls were shaped and Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - August, September - 2009 Zephan - incredible views of the coast! 15 16 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 carved from 100 of years of work and erosion, with magnificent layers and colours. • On the 14th and 21st I attended Rotary meeting, which always are interesting and insightful with guest speaker and tours of local workplaces. • On the 8th I got featured in the Nytirsday local newspaper, with a write up on my adventures in Denmark and the differences I have faced in a new culture. A friend Rotarian worked for the local paper, so it was easy to organise. Student Reports - September - 2009 • Every year at my gymnasium they have a Sports Day, where each class has to dress up as a theme of there choice and present a warcry in front of the school. My Class went as babies; we wore nappies and had dummies, the whole lot. It was hilarious! Then there was a go cart race, but each class that to build the car by themselves. My class won the car race, and won the Handball, swimming and running events, we were awesome!! • On the 10th I went rowing on the Jels lakes with my new counsellor Aksel and his wife Anne. They were impressed that I had so much balance and could paddle so easily (although I have never paddled a long ocean kayak with a rudder), so I told him of our yearly trip to Goolang Creek, and some Canoe Polo matches. It was a nice relaxing afternoon. • On the 11th and 12th I travelled down to Aabenraa, to visit a Sydney friend and share her 19th with a few other Aussies and Brazilians. It was at her first host family’s residence called Krusmølle (which was an amazing restaurant, art gallery and workshop.) It was wonderful meeting up with all my mates again, some which I had not seen since the Euro Tour. We ate an amazing dinner, and sleep in a tiny cabin in the woods, 100 yards from the house. • Between the 18th and 20th there was a District Camp in Vinderup, organised by Rotary. It was held at a place called Hjerl Hede’s. Hjerl Hede is an theme-specific Open-air Museum for cultural history. We got a tour of the old village, its church, farms and houses, as well as riding Penny-farthings, playing house shoe and practising our archery. On the Saturday night, the kids had to provide the entertainment, as Naomi (the other Aussie) and I were the only two Australians, we decided to do a skit (small performance) about Australian life, the Aborigines and the stories of the dreamtime. It was fun, and everyone I’m sure learnt something! It was such a fun camp. I met heaps of people, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. • On the 25th I went to a Danish house warming traditional party, where they nail Danish Flags in the roof for good luck and fortune. That night we went out for dinner at Ribehøj. • My parents, my sister Ann-Clare (who lives in Germany) and Heather and Pieter Luck (family friends) arrived on the 29th to visit me and meet my host families. It was strange seeing them again after 8 months, strange because it felt like I had never left, like I was back in Australia. We had afternoon tea with my current host mother and father, then that night had dinner with my first host family Anny and Jens Peter, they really enjoyed that and dad didn’t want to leave! On the 30th we spent the day getting a guided tour of Ribe (oldest city in Denmark), its church, the small houses, the small boutiques and streets, then on to Rømø Island, where my current families summerhouse was, with its amazing wide stretch beaches and wind blown sands. That night we had dinner with my 2nd host family, and there was a mixture of Germany, Danish and English being thrown back and fourth throughout the night, completely Hilarious! I like to call it Danglishman! (Now - that would have been difficult to follow if one was an outsider! Ed.) • On the 1st of October we all travelled to Copenhagen to see Jonas and his family. It was so nice to see them again, and there were many laughs shared. On the 2nd we toured Copenhagen, witnessing the Changing of the Guards in the Royal Residence, the little Mermaid, and the harbour. On the 3rd Jonas, Ann-Clare and I did a little shopping, and everyone went out for dinner that night, as it was our finally night in Copenhagen and my finally night with my sister and parents. It was a lovely evening! On the 4th I caught the train back home When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Benjamin - still going perfectly! to Jels, after saying my good byes. Benjamin Despres reporting for Brive la Gaillarde Rotary Club, France Dateline: - October, 2009 Location: - Southport Broadwater Rotary Club, Australia Well Folks, that ought to do for now, I ran a little into October month because it was easier. Hope all is well at home… Until next time (which will be my last 3rd monthly email) please stay safe and happy. Kind Regards, Jane Valentin - it’s great! Valentin Abert reporting for PauBéarn Rotary Club, France Dateline: - September, 2009 Location: - Alstonville Rotary Club, Australia I’m happy to be an exchange student, there is lot of advantage. My challenges are to: Improve my English, make lot of friends and discover another country. (Obstacles and Challenges are really great Opportunities. Ed.) I went to Movie World was great, I met new friends, and I did big rollercoaster (superman escape with a very big acceleration) At the high school there was lot of activities, one day some people made sandwich for lunch and there was a match between the Yr 12’s students and the teacher, and I had the exams during the two last week of September, was hard but help me for improve my English. (Every time you speak in English, listen to English, or read something in English - you are improving your language skills! Ed.) The only thing I can really say is that everything is still going perfectly! I am becoming a real Australian: surfing, blond hair because of the sea and vegemite for breakfast. My Rotary club never stops to notice it. I also had one of the best weekends in Grafton for the Jacaranda festival. It was awesome to be there with all the exchange students. We learned a Bush dance and went on a boat, so great time. My school formal night was wonderful too. It was the first time I wore a suit and went in a limousine. We went to Q-1 for the event, which was perfect. I finally joined Rotaract and still help Interact, and I helped them for some projects. School is still going perfectly, and I am in the Leadership group for next year, and we’re going to a Leadership camp soon. I love it. My first host family realised one of my dream: they took me to the Great Barrier Reef. It was so beautiful. (Benjamin - just goes to probe the some dreams do come true! Ed.) Perfect seems to be the only word which sum up my year, but it is definitely true. (Perfect works! Ed.) Benjamin I enjoy this high school it’s great, I met lot of friends and the teachers are very nice. Valentin Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - September, October - 2009 Jane the Dane of my decision including the laws of the host country 17 18 D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Paulina - a real Koala in the wild! Paulina Bermeo reporting for Rotary Club, Ecuador Dateline: - October, 2009 Location: - Rotary Club, Australia Saturday the 31st of October - we got woken up at 6:30 am by Mal, my host dad, and we went outside to see a koala climbing up a tree in our back yard!!! A REAL KOALA IN THE WILD!! I’ll attach a photo of it!! It was very impressive!! And until today (Monday) it’s still up there!! (Now, that was impressive! Ed.) Paulina Student Reports - October, November - 2009 Valentin - a party for my birthday! Valentin Abert reporting for PauBéarn Rotary Club, France Dateline: - October, 2009 Location: - Alstonville Rotary Club, Australia I had holidays during this month was good, I did surfing with Steve (my host father), I still bad but I try to learn hard. I went to Evens Head to do swimming, and to Byron Bay, the Rotary’s people did a party for my birthday and made a cake and gave me present, I was very happy. I did some golf and tennis too. (That sounds really great! Ed.) I went to Marion’s birthday, another exchange student from Belgium at Denise place, was awesome to see all the other exchange students again, we had a lot of fun! Valentin Benjamin - now, I can do it! Benjamin Despres reporting for Brive la Gaillarde Rotary Club, France Dateline: - November, 2009 Location: - Southport Broadwater Rotary Club, Australia Another month in the Sunshine State and everything is still going so well. Firstly, there is still my hours of surfing which are quite enjoyable when I share it with friends from the school’s Leadership group. We became really closed friends since the Leadership camp, which is great. Another awesome part of this year was the Sydney Breakout Adventure. I’d like to thank John and Claudia Anstey for the time they share with us. We discovered a lot around Sydney, Canberra and the Blue mountains. We had a lot of fun, with water-rafting for example. The Harbour Bridge climb and the opera house night were pretty amazing. I can definitely say it was one of the time of my actual life. I’m also really enjoying the fact we can play music with Till and Valentin. We’re planning to play a couple of songs together soon. That’s one of my personal highlight: Before I came, I was too shy to sing in front of people. Now, I can do it! (That’s really great! Ed.) The last Rotary camp made me realized how much the other Exchange students are important to me, when I had to say goodbye to the ones who were leaving. I honestly think it’s the hardest part. (It is one of life’s hard lessons - at multiple levels! Ed.) To finish, I would like to say it’s hard to believe Christmas is only in a couple of days. I called home some days ago, and it’s hardly snowing there (1m20 at my place). I’m definitely looking for Christmas day which is going to be really different. Benjamin When Making My Decisions, I Should Consider the: - CRAVE D9640 YEP - Hopping Mag - December 2009 Ingrid Johansen reporting for Risør Rotary Club, Norway Dateline: - November, 2009 Location: - Yamba Rotary Club, Australia This month has been very busy and interesting. The second weekend of November, all the exchange students went to Grafton for the festival (as you know). (I do now that you’ve told me! Ed.) I had a great time with the other students, and I thought it was very well organized by the Rotarians. The weekend after, my host mom took me on a 5 days trip to Brisbane. We visited her daughter and son-in-law, and we stayed at their house. They took me around the city and I got to see and experience some of the best things Brisbane has to offer. I really enjoyed it. The weekend after my trip to Brisbane, my next host family took me to Sidney. I got to go on a ballet performance at the opera house and we also went to a big marked. It was a little bit hot (49 degrees), but I managed, and had a great time! The month has gone by incredibly fast. I`m really looking forward to the Rotary Camp this weekend, out trip to Sidney and of course to my family arrives! :) Ingrid Jeanné - fat Santas! Denmark Jeanné Pienaar reporting for Burleigh Heads Rotary Club, Australia Dateline: - November, 2009 Location: - Sønderborg Syd Rotary Club, evening as well as jam packed weekends! I’ve loved the busyness though; it makes me feel like I haven’t wasted a minute of my exchange in Denmark. (Good, wasting time would be a waste of time! ed.) I have been doing a lot of baking in the last few weeks with the Christmas season in full swing. (OK - now I’m really confused - your report is headed September - but you’re writing about what you did in November - or is that December! Very confusing! Ed.) Monday afternoons I now spend at my first host family’s home, with my sisters and a couple friends from school, baking a new biscuit or cake recipe every time. We hope to make a big recipe book full of Danish yummies for me to take home to Australia. Wednesdays I attend a baking class at the local primary school with a couple of other exchange students. It’s a fantastic program put on for free by the local council. We’ve made a bunch of different cakes and pastries. So Wednesday nights is now cake night at home with my host family where we sit in the lounge with the fire lit, candles burning, host Christmas tea and a slice of my most recent cake. There are Christmas markets everywhere at the moment and I just love visiting them. These markets have some of the most beautiful hand crafted Christmas decorations. Last night was the big lighting of the huge Christmas tree in the town square. This happened at 5pm as the sun had already set by 4.20pm! All the shopping streets lit up at the same time as well. It was simply breathtaking. Last weekend I went to Legoland. It took 3hr on a bus both ways but was completely worth it. The miniature Lego towns were amazing. Their intricate design and detail was incredible. Everything was decorated for Christmas even the little Lego chimneys on the miniature roofs has fat Santas stuck in them and little Lego children dancing around Christmas trees in the mini Lego town squares. Jeanné Wow, has the time flown. These lasts three weeks I’ve had something on every afternoon/ Consequences, Rotary, Attitudes, Values and Expectations of my decision including the laws of the host country rules and expectations of my friends and peer group that I hold and my personal beliefs of my family and home community Student Reports - November - 2009 Ingrid - been very busy! 19