I first heard about Rotary Youth Exchange while attending RYLA in Terrace. The way the program was described to me stirred my imagination and I began to dream what life on exchange could be like. The places you get to see, the people you meet, and the gained independence all drew me towards the program. When I applied, I didn’t expect to be selected. I was 14, very shy, and figured there would be better candidates than myself. My parents also thought it was unlikely for me to be selected due to being younger. Imagine mine and their shock. Going on exchange to France did more for me than I could’ve imagined. It sounds exaggerated but it was a pivotal moment that led me to the success I’ve had today. I returned more confident knowing if I can survive a year abroad there’s a lot more I could do. I put my effort toward community involvement. I volunteered for anything and everything, lead fundraising projects, and got to know so many more people. I didn’t know it at the time, but these activities helped me get scholarships and awards that covered a lot of my university and assisted me in getting jobs. I decided to go to UNBC and get a joint degree in Global and International Studies and Political Science, a topic I never would have gone into if my interest in international affairs wasn’t piqued during the exchange. Throughout the one year away, I saw how many opportunities there are around the world, and I enjoyed getting to know people of so many different backgrounds. I got to reflect critically on my exchange during university, as I thought back to all I witnessed and began to understand what some of it meant from an international lens. So yes, I would say Rotary Youth Exchange has had a major impact on my life. It has shaped who I am today and I there’s not one element of my life that I can’t relate back to the exchange program. It all reverts in some form or another back to Rotary.

If I could do the exchange program again, I would in a heartbeat. There are so many countries that I would love to experience an exchange in. For any students who are considering going on exchange but aren’t sure, my biggest piece of advice is to take the leap. Immerse yourself in the possibilities that the exchange may bring up. Imagine what it could be like to go to school in another country. The adventures you will take, and the friendships that you will develop. Once you start dreaming of it, make it your reality because it will change your life. You learn so much about yourself that you wouldn’t if you just stayed home. At a young age, this knowledge is invaluable as you begin to navigate the adult world.

I’m still trying to figure out the path I want to take in life. There’s so many options and I have many interests. Right now, I’m exploring an interest I never thought I would have: politics. I’m enjoying learning all there is to know about BC Politics and being in the heart of some big changes happening in our province.

Editor’s note:

Some other notable achievements that Sarah has not mentioned include:

Fellow Rotarians John and Tracey Kason hosted a farewell BBQ for the BC Tour – District 5040 Youth Exchange members on July 4th, at their property in Prince George.  This BBQ was well represented by all of the Prince George Rotary Clubs, host families, future outbound students and parents.    The excellent meal, provided lots of time for everyone to mingle and reflect on the past year that the students were here.   The students spoke on what they had learned during their year in Canada, thanked all their host families and sponsor clubs.   All of them want to come back!  Lots of teary goodbyes too.

 

 The BC Tour is the last major event that the inbound exchange students are able to go on before returning to their respective countries.   The inbound students in attendance were:

- Valerian Leignel from France

- Karoline Lindeberg  from Sweden

- Lucie Braird from Belgium

- Lucas Petit from France

- Matt Isemann from Germany

 

Each student made a desert or specific dish special to their country that was shared with all the attendees. 

 

The Tour is organized that they travel the full district, starting from Vancouver area through Cultus Lake, through Manning Park, to Vernon and Myra Canyon to bike and zipline, William Lake  for the rodeo, on to Quesnel and Barkerville,  Prince George, and on to Smithers and Prince Rupert they do the grizzly bear tour.   This camping trip gives lots of time for them to see the entire province, with special events planned at each stop.  BC Tour Coordinator, Dave Nielsen (PG Nechako) and Maria Lindeberg (Karoline’s mother and a Swedish Rotarian) provide chaperoning.   Kudos and thanks for all of their efforts into making this a successful trip for everyone involved.  

 

This year marked the resumption of the in-person Youth Exchange Program, after it was interrupted during COVID.  During the 2021-22 year the students that would have gone abroad, were given the option to try a virtual exchange.   This program was also very successful, as students talked weekly (or more often) to each other.  They learned their language, talked about their cultures, showed each other how to cook in their cultures, and gained new friendships.  

 

The STEP program is also underway, and most of these students have begun by going to their host countries.  We should see the inbound students at our club later this summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary District 5040 Governor in 2004-05 and 35-year member of RC Prince George Nechako, Ron Neukomm, passed away at Rotary Hospice in Prince George on April 6, 2022. Born and raised in Prince George, Ron received, with his wife Dee, the Prince George Community Foundation's Citizen of the Year Award in 2017 for their extensive volunteer work.

Elsewhere, you might have seen photos of prominent landmarks around the world glowing in red.

 

The Nasdaq at Times Square in New York City glowing in purple, for example.

 

It’s all due to Rotarians around the world displaying their commitment to eradicate polio on World Polio Day on Oct. 24.

 

Prince George Rotarians participated in a virtual polio walk. 

 

Thanks to Rotary and our partners and our vaccination efforts, more than 19 million people are walking today. More than 1.5 million children’s lives have been saved. More than 2.5 billion children have been immunized. 

Join us at our Wednesday, April 14 meeting at 7:30 a.m. where we'll hear from Melinda Heidsma, the executive director at AimHi. 

Melinda will give us an update about everything that's happening at AimHi, an organization we work closely with. 

Email nechakorotarypresident@gmail.com for the Zoom link

Hear from Judy Thomas, a Registered Professional Forester, who'll discuss old growth tree management in the Prince George Timber Supply Area, at our meeting Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 a.m.

Email nechakorotarypresident@gmail.com for the Zoom link.