Louise Keogh welcomed our exchange students home - Carly and Sarah have returned, Sarah will be speaking tonight.
Sarah Forbes spent 12 months on Rotary Exchange in France, hosted by four families, including trips to bordering countries.
School was very different, expectation of a longer day in the classroom, 2 hours for lunch, however enjoyed the subjects.
I was living in the Bordeaux region, beach in the vicinity, wine producing industries, only 2 hours from Paris by train, many tourists to the area.
Went on a two week tour of Europe, 10 countries in that time with 44 exchange students on the bus together, we all bonded like a family. Summer holidays from July – August, my family travelled over and we visited Scandinavia together. Grandparents came over also.
I enjoy snails, we would have culinary cook-ups, opted to prepare Honey Joys for our Australian specialty.
There were 5 – 6 Rotary weekends on the trip, and I wish to thank Rotary for the experience of a lifetime.
During question time Sarah answered …
- Learnt French in Years 7/8/9 at Secondary College. Language was a big challenge, taking 3-4 months before I could get a grasp of French. Conversational French at first, grammar will be the big challenge now that I am studying Year 12 French.
- Saw Axel twice, so good!!!
- Big issue with getting through customs with an exchange student from Swan Hill, finally got his 5kg ham the next day but his chances didn’t look good.
- French must endure a high risk of terrorism, ID badges worn and you do not have the freedom to leave the class due to the high risk.
- Refugees are on the side of the road all over France.
- At first, I thought the 12 months would go slowly and I would be excited to go home, but I was sad to leave the new life found in France.
- Australian accent was a shock when I came home, and I adopted the custom to kiss everyone on both cheeks.
- By the end of the year I hope I will have a clearer pathway of what I would like to do.
- Paul Forbes said the preparation was over 4 weekends prior to Sarah travelling, there are organisations you would pay for the experience; however, Rotary gave us confidence knowing Rotary was organising the event.
Carly is disappointed not here tonight due to ill health.
Louise thanked Sarah for the talk and acknowledged the fact she would have been a wonderful ambassador.
You can view Sarah's powerpoint presentation here.