MY YEAR AS AN EXCHANGE STUDENT - ASTRID

 
Chair Isobel Siebel introduced Astrid with a glowing account of Astrid, a bubbly Danish girl who came to stay with our Club fofr 12 months and on Monday we will be sending home a bubbly Danish young woman. It has been a joy to have Astrid in Warrnambool and she has touched manhy lives during her stay. Astrid has been a wonderful ambassador for Denmark and her parents have every reason to feel very proud of their daughter. Astrid has manhy wonderful attributes which will serve her well in life: she is positive; comfortable being with and talking to people from all walks of life and all ages from tiny children to the oldest member of our Club; when in conversation with anyone Astrid has the ability to make them feel as if they are the centre of her world; she is kind and thoughtful; has a ready and infectious laugh and a great sense of humour; ability to manage money well (Scottish blood perhaps?); admirable work ethic with high attendance at Rotary meetings and rolling up her sleeves and helping out.
Astrid has been a good friend to many people and her school friends and members of this Rotary will miss her. Those who have been fortunate to be Astrid's host parents have all felt the frustration of getting her up in the morning, and have all learned not to feel guilty if she heads off out the door without any breakfast. Astrid's ability not to worry is amazing and part of her positive attitude.
As a host mother Isobel earned a new system of managing the laundry - she was not aware of the concept of a "Floor-drobe" until she met Astrid, or the concept of one pile of clothes that need washing and one pile that can be worn again.
As a Club we wish Astrid all the best when she returns home and resumes her schooling and life with her old friends and family. And lastly we have all seen how much Astrid loves her bed and sleeping long hours, so we hope she has a wonderful long sleep on the long flight home to Denmark.
Astrid may not be in our lives after Monday, but she will long remain in our hearts.
 
Astrid then approached the lecturn wearing her blazer adorned with memorabilia and badges collected during her year in Australia, inlcuding a piece of wool she sheared off a sheep. She then proceeded with a photographic presentation of her experiences during her stay and provided a vivid explanation of each photo. In brief:
In the first week she went to a bushdance and had the grand tour of Warrnambool. She was very excited at seeing her first emu and kangaroo at Tower Hill.  Just after a month Astrid went to Melbourne with the year 9’s for 4 days and visited the Aquariam, Bounce (she still has the socks) and the Eureka Tower at night. Astrid started to follow the Tigers in Football - we have Terry to thank for that! She celebrated her birthday at Rotary with a delicious birthday cake and lots of birthday wishes. She went to a Rotary Trivia night at Port Fairy with Andrea, had a photo taken with a kangaroo sign. Visited Phillip Island with Dale a Rotarian from Geelong. She saw a peacock with all his feathers spread out for the first time as well as the fairy penguins. Then came the first sighting of a koala. As part of her outdoor ed. class Astrid went caving in very confined areas. She also got to shear a sheep, well a bit of it! Learnt how to fossic for gold with a metal detector, and found some little nuggets. Not an over keen cook, Astrid still managed to make pancakes a couple of times at Anne’s. Astrid a couple of opportunities to dress up - an Alice in Wonderland themed birthday, Anne and her went as Tweedle Dee and Twiddle Dum, a fairy for school and a witch for Halloween at Girl Guides. Astrid had a visit from another Dane on exchange in Melbourne.
With the Hunt family she visited the 12 Apostles, sunset views on the Hopkins River, celebrated an Aussie Christmas with advent calenders. She went on a shopping extravaganza in Melbourne using the Myer gift card given to her as a Christmas present from Rotarians. Saw John participate in one of his swims at Anglesea, visited Lorne along the great ocean road. Swam at the breakwater in the warm water and learnt to surf.
During her stay with Sharon and Michael she went to the Wildlife Park and had photos taken with Sharon, a koala and a wombat and enjoyed an icecream masala cheesecake.
During the summer break Astrid with the other exchange students went on a mini safari starting at Mt Gambier, where they visited the Blue Lake. She went 4 wheel driving and canoeing near Portland as well as target shooting; visited a Finish friend in Colac, whose host family had a very large pet snake; enjoyed her volunteering at the Folkie; met up with other exchange students from Melbourne who were going on Safari with her; attended her first debutante ball (they don’t do debs in Denmark).
She also went to see a football game and watched Richmond playing; visited Sovereign Hill and tried a toffee apple.
Astrid thanked Rotarians for making her smile, laugh, be part of our Club and for all the wonderful memories. She handed out some Danish liquorice for us to try.
President Marie then presented Astrid with an Akubra and a pair of very stylish brown ugg boots.
Michael thanked Astrid from all the host parents for the fun and privilege of hosting her.