1998 School Magazine

61rlS Grainmar :^icon0t 38risbane 1998

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Travelling in Europe: Tl}e trip to F10rence was an absolutely amazing and unfor- gettable experience, beginning with four long train trips south through the greater part of Europe. Then we undertool< a five day study of the great art museums, squares and piazzas, sculptures and churches that F10rence has to offer. Now, as a third year student of the 1< atedralskole (equivalent of Year Twelve) I again ITave the opportunity to experience another Kaledralskole study tour, travelling with my mathematics class to Copenhagen. Being both a student of the AThus Kaledralskole and a Rotary Youth EXchange student the opportunities to travel have arisen many times On 11th May fifty-two Rotary eXchange students from around the world boarded a bus for an unbelievable journey through seven countries. We travelled to some of the nTost fobulous destinations in Europe ranging from Berlin to Prague to Vienna to Monaco to Paris and from Brussels to insterdam The tour was an absolute success and the eXchange students saw and accomplished so much in terms of meeting new people, making great friendships, naving incredible adventures and soaking up as much of their surroundings as humanly possible. The European Bus Tour has definitely been one of the most fabulous experiences during these seven nTonths Rotary's Part: When a student is accepted by a country, she is also allocated a hosting Rotary Club which will in turn support The

student throughout her year abroad. A club member takes the role of counsellor and organises Three host families for the student to stay with. At present I am living with my second host family and will shortly move to my third. Rotaiy Australia also plays a large part in the selection and oroanisation process of sponsoring students to overseas destinations. To aain a Rotary Youth EXchange a student must fLilfil the criteria of several rigorous interviews whicll make up a large part of the selection process. The interviews are conducted at club and district level and it is during these interviews that a candidate's general knowledge of Australia's geography, current affairs, history, national achievements and government issues is tested. The student's general knowledge of Rotary and response to "awk- ward or difficult situation" questions (in terms of a host families, school etc. ) are tested in order to judge what sort of coping strategies the student may use if faced with these situations Being a Rotary Youth EXchange student in Denmarl< has presented me with unforgettable experiences and once-in-a- lifetime opportunities. Every moment Inat I am here in Denmark I learn something new about another culture, and its traditions, and another way of thinking about myself. 11 is here that I have learned to recognise my potential and my coping strategies as well as my desire to take hold of all the opportunities a\, allable to me. As a school leaver of the class of 19971 cannot think of any other way that a person can grow and achieve in a spiritual manner, as well as learn about oneself than by hemo involved in a Rotary Youth EXchange

Rotary EXchange to Sweden

fret completing Year Twelve at B. G. G. S. last year, I am spending this year in Mj61by, Sweden, as part of the Rotaiy Youth EXchange Program Mj61by, situated in southern Sweden, is a small town with a population of approximately 10000.11 takes approximately half

Possibly, my best experience so far this year has been a mountain hike in the far north of Sweden winch was run by the SWGdislT Army. We hiked and camped for four days and nights straight, carrying all the provisions we needed, including water which came from the many lakes and rivers. This was all done

an hour to walk across town and only a few minutes to drive. However, cy- cling in Sweden is more popular than driving, except in their bitter cold win- ters of -15'C. I am hosted TITis year by the Rotary Club of Mj61by who ITave been absolutely fantastic I am attending Kungsh6gaskolan in All61by. I find it extremely different in almost all aspects to B. G. CS. The subjects I take are Maths, Swedish, Economics/Business Studies, English, Sport and Swedish as a second Ian- guage. Most of these subjects are taught

in sun and pouring rain on the Polar Circle. Viben we weren'I doing that, we were living on the army base, able to use all the facilities they have and surprising the guys. 1'11 neva. forget walking around a corner and bump- ing into a guy dressed and ready for battle, willT a gun across ITis chest Over the past six months, I have had the chance to travel tlrrouoh Europe and all over Sweden while also playing tennis, making many new friends, learning a different Ian-

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guage and culture and basically expe- in a similar manner to B. G. G. S. , but that is WITere the similarities Tiendng things and life I}ow I nevei' 1

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