CELIA SARA FRONZA
2009-2010 Exchange from Brazil
Host Club: Albury North
I am 17 years old and I’m turning 18 on the 19th December. I am from Brazil and I am living in Albury. My host Rotary Club is Albury North.
I like playing soccer and beach volley ball. One of the sports I have learnt and really like is hockey and when I go back I’ll not be able to play because we don’t have this sport in Brazil.
I love the beaches in Australia but I’m still a little bit scared of the sharks!
I was not expecting to see snow and I had an awesome time skiing and snow boarding for the first time.
I absolutely love Australia!
ANA PAULA JUNQUEIRA
2009-2010 Exchange from Brazil
Host Club: Strathmore
My name is Ana Paula Junqueira and I am 17. I come from the south of Brazil and arrived in Australia in February 2009. I have been hosted by the Rotary Club of Strathmore.
My hobbies are sailing and scuba diving and I had the chance to do them here in Australia. In Brazil I have a twin sister and an older brother. Both went to Germany as exchange students. My Dad is a doctor and my Mum a pharmacist.
In my time here in Australia, I had 4 welcoming host families, with whom I get along very well, and a great host Club. I visited a lot of beautiful places and met some lovely people that I’ll never forget.
HEATHER ALLAN
2009-2010 Exchange from Canada
Host Club: Albury West
My name is Heather Allan, I’m 17 and from Canada. Back home I’m involved in volunteering - helping with children’s programs, youth group, 4 dance classes and a part-time job. When I first applied for this exchange I was doubtful that it would happen, but I’ve always wanted to go to Australia and thought this was an ideal way to get here. I’m an only child in a single parent family so the possibility of a year abroad was outrageous, but my Mum and I found a way to make it work. I’ve been here since July and I’ve already gotten to do some amazing things. I’ve done everything from climbing up a water fall to going to Melbourne to see the musical ‘Chicago’. It’s been quite easy to make friends, seeing as I already speak English, so settling in was quite easy.
I’m looking forward to the summer and our Rock to Reef tour and seeing more of Australia.
PS My Mom says I’m already getting an aussie accent!
IBEN ANDREASEN
2009-2010 Exchange from Denmark
Host Club: Diamond Creek
As you can see, my name is Iben Lutje Andreasen. I am 16 years old and I come from Denmark, from Central Jutland. My home village is called Vile and there are about 50 people there. I'm very close to my family. My Dad died when I was 9, but I live with my Mum and brother in Vile. My Mum has got a partner. When I get home I will be moving to another city,
In my spare time I like to be really active - doing lots of sports, running and bike riding either with my Mum or alone. I have travelled a lot with my family.
I was really excited when I got the chance to go to Australia. While I have been here I have been playing netball and a bit of footy. I am on the girls' footy team at school.
My first host family took me to Brisbane and Sydney for the September holidays. My second family took me to the Great Ocean Road and for a bike ride along St Kilda beach. My third family are taking me to Adelaide. I am really thankful to my families for all the places they have taken me to.
It is so great to meet people from all over the world and getting together on weekends is best.
If you ever come to Denmark, come and visit me!
LAURENCE COLINET
2009-2010 Exchange from Belgium
Host Club: Mooroopna
Hello. I'm Laurence Colinet, I'm 16 and I'm from Belgium. I come from a little town called Stavelot in the south east of Belgium. My sponsor Club is the Rotary Club of Spa-Francachamps-Stavelot. In Australia I'm staying with the Rotary Club of Mooroopna.
I have a sister, Celine (12) and a brother Matthieu (5). At home I live with my Mum, Danielle, who is a cooking teacher and my step dad Michael, who is a building manager.
When I have free time, I like to read, meet friends and visit cities or countries. I love travelling and discovering new cultures and places, so that is probably why I wanted to come to Australia so much.
I love Australia because it is different from Belgium. Firstly, the weather …it's so hot! And Australia is so big! Belgium is a really little country…. you couldn't drive more than 3 hours and still be in Belgium. I love how Australia is so different and how the nature is so amazing!
So far I have been to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians, and I just loved it. I can't wait till I go on the 'Rock to Reef' and see Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney. It's going to be awesome!
ANJA FURRER
2009-2010 Exchange from Switzerland
Host Club: Benalla
I am from Switzerland. My home town is called Wolhusen, which is near Lucerne and my sponsor Club is the Rotary Club of Enrlebuch. My host Club is the Rotary Club of Benalla. I am 17 years old and my birthday is on 28th October.
My family back in Switzerland consists of :
- my mother, Anita Furrer-Arvidsson, who is Swedish, so I can also speak Swedish. My mother works as a biological medical assistant in a hospital.
- my father, Beat Furrer - Arndsson, who is Swiss. He works as an economist in a hospital
- my brother Tobias Furrer who is 22 years old and studying economics
- my brother Nils Furrer who is 21 years old and is studying mechanical engineering.
My hobbies include all kinds of sport - tennis, volleyball, snow boarding, jogging, swimming; shopping; seeing different places; playing the piano and reading.
In Australia I have visited Sydney, Portsea, a football match in Melbourne and places around Benalla.
With my host Club I have been - at the working bee down in Portsea; fencing twice near Mansfield; and helped at different charity's programs.
What I like about my exchange year and about Australia:
" I love travelling and seeing different places
" I like the country, but I also love the beach
" I love it to meet different people and make new friends
What I would love to do in Australia
" Surfing
" Go to Queensland
" Great Ocean Road
" Go to Perth if it is possible
ELVIRE HALARY
2009-2010 Exchange from France
Host Club: Tallangatta
I am from France. I live in the south west near the coast. My sponsor Club is Bayonne-Biarritz. I am seventeen years old. My last year at school should have been this year, but I'm in Australia so I will finish next year. Anyway, I've one idea about what I want to do, but I'm not sure yet.
I like to go to the beach and I spend most of my time there during the holidays. I love swimming in the sea and I would like to know how is surfing in Australia. I like to go shopping a lot. I also like drawing, sewing, horse riding, skiing and playing badminton. I have a lot of hobbies. I love to travel too and that is why I'm in Australia now. It is a good opportunity for me to learn a third language. My mother is from Chile so I can speak Spanish.
What I prefer in Australia is the natural environment. The trees are amazing, the beaches wonderful, the bush pretty and the animals impressive. I had a really good time last holidays when I spent one week in Melbourne. This town is really cosmopolitan with a good ambiance. It's like a melting pot of all countries. Then, in my second week, I went to Queensland and it was really good. It was warm and agreeable and I liked the ambience. I saw a lot of animals too. It was my best holiday.
The Australians are very welcoming and nice.
SVEN HELLWIG
2009-2010 Exchange from Germany
Host Club: Wodonga West
I'm Sven Hellwig, I am 15 years old and I am from Boppard, a small town in Germany on the River Rhein. Back in Germany I have an older brother (19) who is working at the Red Cross, and two younger sisters, 10 and 13. My mother is working as a dermatologist and my father is a stay home dad. We have two pets - a Bernese mountain dog called Willi and Noel, a pony. In my free time I like horse riding, cycling painting and playing the piano.
I arrived in Australia in July and I have had a great time here since then. Things I enjoy most about Australia are: the sunny weather, the laid-back way of life and (of course) meeting and getting to know new people and friends. So far I have been to the Henty Field Days, Beechworth and Newcastle.
MANUELA MITTERER
2009-2010 Exchange from Austria
Host Club: Corryong
I am from Austria - Millstatt in the province of Carinthia. I am aged 16 and I have a half brother who lives in the Philippines. My Mum is from the Philippines originally and she is a cook and caterer. My Dad works as an accountant on the local shire.
My sponsor Club is the Rotary Club of Bad Kleinkirchheim and my host Club is the Rotary Club of Corryong.
My hobbies include playing the recorder, dancing hip hop, playing tennis, sports in general, music and travelling.
My achievements include the vice (runner up) European champion in hip hop, third place in a music competition in Austria for the recorder and ranking number 81 in Austria in Under 16 tennis.
Things I have done so far in Australia:
- I joined the netball team and the tennis team
- I took part in a lawn tennis tournament
- Visited Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, where I saw Cate Blanchett in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'
- I created and performed a solo drama performance
- I tried vegemite, but I couldn't swallow it
- I danced solo at the performance evening of Corryong School of Dance
- I have helped marking calves and pushing cattle
Things I like about Australia:
- the attitude of people
- the landscape
- experiencing different cultures
- getting to know new people
- beaches
- countryside and farms
- Corryong and my host family
EDDA THIES
2009-2010 Exchange from France
Host Club: Rutherglen
I am 16. I am German, but I was born and live in France. I live in the south west part of France in a town called Payrac. My host Club in Australia is the Rotary Club of Rutherglen and my sponsor Club is Souillac en Quercy. At home I've two older sisters. Insa is 19 and Elodie is 21 and my parents are Silke and Arne. At home we only speak German.
I really love to drive motor bikes and going snowboarding in the winter. I also have done paragliding in France, I like to be with my friends and go shopping.
Since I have been in Australia, I have spent two weeks in Queensland at Coolangatta. I really enjoyed it there. I also love Melbourne and I try to spend a lot of time there.
ALEXANDER VANDEKERCKHOVE
2009-2010 Exchange from Denmark
Host Club: Belvoir Wodonga
Hello. My name is Alexander Illum Vandekerckhove. I am 16 years old. I am from Aarhus in Denmark. If you can picture Jutland as a head with a pointy hat and a droopy nose, then Aarhus is located in the moustache area. Aarhus has about 300,000 inhabitants. I am staying in Wodonga, so it is very different from what I'm used to.
I am into science, physics and music. I play the guitar and I sing in a cathedral choir. I also spend a lot of time painting and assembling little miniatures called Warhamma.
On my exchange I have been doing lots of things so far. I have been snow boarding, caving, surfing, waterskiing and shearing sheep. I have been in Melbourne to see a footy match and I have been there for a Pearl Jam concert. I have also been to Sydney, been on the Harbour Bridge and seen the Opera House. I have been up in the Eureka Tower and the Sydney tower.
So far everything has been absolutely amazing with so many new experiences. Even school is awesome here. I'm attending Wodonga Senior Secondary College.
Back in Denmark I have my parents and two siblings- a little brother and a little sister. My Dad is a civil engineer and my Mum is a teacher. My goal with Rotary Youth Exchange is to be exposed to and learn to know a different culture and country.
LARA SALVI
2009-2010 Exchange from France
Host Club: Yea
I am Lara Salvi and I’m16. I’m from France. I live next to Italy and Switzerland in the French Alps. I’ve got a sister who is 19 and she’s done the exchange program in 2007/2008 in USA. I’m hosted in Australia by the Rotary Club of Yea. Yea is really different from my home town in France, Annecy. It’s much smaller and far from everything but I like being in Australia. It’s a beautiful country with a lot of surprises.
I like travelling. I have been in some places in Europe, in Tunisia, Morocco, Thailand and USA. I like meeting new people and doing new things. I also like doing sports, being with friends and listening to music. I do dance, badminton and skiing in France and I tried netball in Australia. I like it!!
In Australia, I really like Melbourne which I find is a really attractive town. I’d like to see as much of Australia as I can and I’m looking forward to our Rock to Reef. I’ve been to Tassie with my Rotary Club and I really enjoyed it.
I like Australian culture and Australians. They are very nice people and this year is a great opportunity for me.
RILEY SMITH
2009-2010 Exchange from USA
Host Club: Myrtleford
My name is Riley Smith and I am 17 years old. I arrived in Australia from my home in Gering, Nebraska, America back in July. The winters here aren’t very cold compared to Nebraska but it was strange for me to go from summer to winter. I am living in Myrtleford, Victoria now and am doing Year 12 at school. Marian College is a lot smaller than my school in America. It has 200 students in Year 7 to Year 12 but my school in America has 600 students from Year 10 to Year 12. I loved swimming back home. I have been to two swim meets here and now have Australian medals to add to my medals at home.
At home I live with my parents, my 20 year old sister and my 14 year old brother. I decided to go in exchange back in October 2008 because of the 50th Anniversary of Rotary Exchange. My host Club and my sponsor Club at home started the year long exchange and wanted to repeat it again. So a girl from Myrtleford, Natalie O’Callaghan, came to my town and I came to Myrtleford. It was exciting to be part of something so huge. Since I have come, I have really improved my public speaking and have tried many new things.
I haven’t noticed many huge differences between America and here. There are a lot of the same TV shows and food. The highlights of my exchange so far have been going to Melbourne with my host parents and meeting many famous Australians like Coxy and other performers. When my parents come to visit me after Christmas, we are travelling to Sydney and Canberra. I can’t wait to go on the ‘Rock to Reef’ tour and really want to learn to surf.
PS Tim Tams are awesome.
BERTRAND VARICHON
2009-2010 Exchange from France
Host Club: Albury & Albury Hume
I am here from France. I arrived on the 21st July and will leave again next July. My host Clubs are Albury and Albury Hume. I am starting Year 12 here. In France I have played basketball for many years and my team was in the top ten in the country. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister. My sister went to Taiwan as an exchange student so I got inspired to go on an exchange too. My oldest brother is 29, my sister is 27 and my other brother is 19. We live in an apartment in a little town close to the mountains so I ski, but I am a bad skier. I love waffles with chocolate sauce, ice cream and strawberries. My father is an arborist and my mother is a religious teacher
LISA BOETHIUS
2009-2010 Exchange from Sweden
Host Club: Shepparton Central
My name is Lisa Andersson Boethius and I come from a village called Hillviken…meaning hell’s bay…right on the beach on the southern west coast of Sweden. My sponsor Club is Falsterbo-Skanor and my host Club is Shepparton Central. I am living in Kialla in Shepparton.
I have a big family back home with 2 brothers – Adam & Tor, 2 sisters – Ida & Mathilda, Mum – Bitte & Dad – Rolf and my own big black dog Balder. Dad is a window cleaner and Mum teaches kindergarten. My favourite subjects at school are Maths, English, Music, Drama, Italian and German.
My hobbies include sports - swimming, boxing, triathlon; music - piano, drama and singing; and travelling.
My favourite thing so far in Australia has been hanging out with my friends and going to a rock concert, but I don’t think the best part had come yet, because I am looking forward to going on the safari and travelling up to Queensland.
Here I like the food and dessert, my Aussie friends, the weather , school and the ANIMALS
I dislike the fact that I don’t live near a beach & ocean and can’t see the horizon. I also dislike the fact that I burn my scalp in the sun.
While I am in Australia I want to surf, swim in the ocean, swim with the sharks / dolphins, bungee jump, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and go for a long bush walk.
ANABEL EBERTH
2009-2010 Exchange from Germany
Host Club: Mansfield
I am Anabel Eberth, 16 years old and from Germany. I’ve got 2 younger sisters Carlotta (7) and Helena (9) who are living with my mum, my step dad and me in an area called ‘Sauerland’ which is about 200km from Cologne. My mum, Andrea, is a physiotherapist and my step dad, Axel, is a marketing manager.
My hobbies are horse riding, catching up with friends, playing the piano, shopping, reading books and enjoying time with my family and my dog (Marley).
I decided to go on a one year exchange with Rotary because I’ve always been interested in travelling and getting to know new cultures and people.
My sponsor Club is “Schmallenberg-Winterberg-Lennetal” and my host Club is the Rotary Club of Mansfield.
BENEDICT KUNST
2009-2010 Exchange from Germany
Host Club: Sunbury
My name is Benedikt Kunst and I am 16, turning 17 on 25th December. I am from Ganderkesee, which is close to Bremen in north-west Germany. My sponsor Club is the Rotary Club of Delmenhorst – Geest and I am being hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Riddells Creek and Sunbury. I arrived in Australia on 25th July and will leave on July 24th 2010.
In Germany I have an older brother Daniel (18) and he also was an exchange student in Australia. My father is a proctologist in Bremen while my mother works at home. My parents are not Rotarians, but my father was an exchange student to the USA in the 1960’s. My hobbies are skiing, scuba diving, karate, meeting friends, surfing and swimming. I wanted to go overseas because I have always been interested in travelling and learning about other cultures and languages.
My family in Australia is lovely and different to my family at home. Here in Australia I have 2 host sisters and two dogs at home. This is the biggest difference between my host family and my family at home.
In Australia I love to swim in the ocean or to relax on the beach. My Rotary Club is located in the north-east of Melbourne so I enjoy going to the city and I have caught the train to the city several times. In Australia the towns are smaller and you are better known in the school and the town.
In Australia I have been with my host family and Rotary to many places in Victoria. I went skiing on Mt Buller and Mt Hotham. In October I changed my host family and went with my new family to Lorne on the Great Ocean Road. During the spring holidays I caught up with some new friends from school and we enjoyed the Melbourne Show. Another really exciting experience was the Melbourne Cup Race.
ANDERS LARSEN
2009-2010 Exchange from Denmark
Host Club: Corowa
I am Anders Larsen from Denmark. I arrived in Australia on the 27th July and I am hosted by the Rotary Club of Corowa.
So far I am having a great time and have been to many parts of Australia already. I have been to Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland and Adelaide.
I am getting used to the hot weather and I am in Year 11 at Corowa High School.
I love some of the Australian food, Weet bix, Shapes and Timtams, but I am not a big fan of Vegemite.
I have 3 older brothers and my parents have a huge farm in the south of Denmark and another in Poland.
My brother was an exchange student in Brazil and we have hosted about 4 other exchange students from different countries.
My first host family were excellent and helped me settle into Australian life. I am now onto my next host family and so far it has been great and I am looking forward to the next 6 months.
VAISHALI WILLIS
2009-2010 Exchange from USA
Host Club: Kyabram
I have a sister named Ahilya; she is 21 and currently in University. Both my parents work at Binghamton University which is the local University. In America I am very involved with the Arts. I've been playing the violin for 11 years now, and I also sing,play piano, and dance.
I'm very excited for the Rock to Reef trip! I cannot wait! but until then I'll be going on a few trips. I'm going to Queensland in January and Philips Island a bit later. The main reason I ever wanted to come to Australia was because of the Sydney Harbour bridge. (which I first heard of in a movie when I was 5) I'm not leaving Australia until I climb it! I would also like to be able to stand up on a surf board and not fall, but that will most likely not happen.
