I've left Steve's article in this weeks blog, just to remind you that there is a link to our current Youth Exchange Student - Chloe - Facebook page on our website. Here it is if you care to check out Chloe's adventures....FYI...https://www.facebook.com/Chloes-Brazil-Exchange-317475722436201/
In last weeks bulletin there was a mention of the fantastic work that our very own Stuart Aird does with Youth Exchange. This prompted our very own ex-Treasurer and world traveller Steve Power to drop us a line from his home in China on how the Youth Exchange program had made for some fantastic experiences and warm friendships.
Read Steve's note below....
I thought it was time to tell a story about the benefits of the Rotary Exchange program.
Some years ago, the Club benefitted from Hannah Binder's visit to our shores. She is an Austrian and a proud one. She comes from a lovely family who lives in Aspach, Braunau, Austria. Braunau is just inside the Austrian/German border.
It is the birthplace of Hitler.
It is the birthplace of Hitler.
We have hosted Hannah on the Sunshine Coast for a number of months and also her family there and also in Beijing, China where we currently live.
We have just had a wonderful week in Austria with Hannah's family. The friendship was cemented stronger than ever on this trip. We learnt so much about local Austrian living while there.
The family is
Josef - father
Ernestine - mother
Nadine, Sofie are sisters
Rene is the brother.
We experienced
- living in their house and environment for the week
- seeing Strasbourg
- hiking through one of their Alps
- seeing Vienna over a number of days
Our world has become bigger due to this experience and I can only put this down to Rotary. My son Jack and daughter Julia have also visited Hannah's family on separate visits.
Hannah has very fond memories of Australia.
Hannah is now at Uni studying for her teaching degree and has a sound historical knowledge. She is also in a large musical group, playing the flute.
So I am thankful that I have seen the benefit of this programme. Some pictures attached of our time together. If you wish to show this to the Club John at one of the Friday meetings that would be great.
Josef - father
Ernestine - mother
Nadine, Sofie are sisters
Rene is the brother.
We experienced
- living in their house and environment for the week
- seeing Strasbourg
- hiking through one of their Alps
- seeing Vienna over a number of days
Our world has become bigger due to this experience and I can only put this down to Rotary. My son Jack and daughter Julia have also visited Hannah's family on separate visits.
Hannah has very fond memories of Australia.
Hannah is now at Uni studying for her teaching degree and has a sound historical knowledge. She is also in a large musical group, playing the flute.
So I am thankful that I have seen the benefit of this programme. Some pictures attached of our time together. If you wish to show this to the Club John at one of the Friday meetings that would be great.
