o Amy Daymond, Narromine, Jess McKee, Auckland NZ, Luke Whe, Nyngan, James Muldoon, Narromine, Geoff Smith, Rotary Club of Narromine, Nathan Leach, Narromine, Joshua Hook, Inglewood, New Zealand.
The Rotary Club of Narromine is sponsoring three exchange students from Narromine to New Zealand during 2012. The students left Sydney on April 1, for term 2 in New Zealand, and returned in late June in time to begin term 3 in Australia.
Amy Daymond and James Muldoon were hosted in Auckland at Ellerslie and Muraeta respectively. Amy has a matched exchange with Jessica McKee and James was hosted by Josh Singleton’s family.
Nathan Leach had a one-way exchange to Blenheim, at the top of the South Island.
The three Narromine residents are part of a 15-person exchange program to all parts of New Zealand. This is a cultural exchange program that has been running for 23 years and the program has been used by several Narromine students during this period.
The students will attend school as a part of their exchange and they will be exposed to several experiences only available in New Zealand.
Local Rotarian and mentor for the students Geoff Smith said the students had accepted a challenge they would remember for the rest of their lives.
“They will make lifelong friends, experience a different culture, a different school and another family lifestyle. The benefits these young people gain are immeasurable,” Mr Smith said.
Narromine Rotarians are grateful to the principals of Dubbo Christian School and Narromine High School for their co-operation with this exchange.
One Nyngan student, Luke Wye, was also among the group. Luke was hosted at Inglewood near New Plymouth at the base on the North Island.
He has a matched exchange with Joshua Hook who is enjoying Australian life on a Nyngan farm.
The five students presented PowerPoint presentations to Narromine Rotarians recently. Also attending the evening were students with their parents from Dubbo, Warren and Narromine, interested in exchanging in 2013.
Exchange student Jess said that choosing to do the Rotary exchange was the best choice she had made in her life.
“You learn so many things and I have had so many great new experiences,” she said.
Amy commented that living in another country and being part of another family was a life-changing experience.
“My time in New Zealand was amazing. I gained so much confidence and independence and made so many lifelong friends,” she said.
James agreed saying he had gained so much confidence and perspective from the exchange and made so many friends.
“The exchange is going well. It is not as hard to adjust as I thought it would be,” Joshua from New Zealand said.
Joshua’s exchange match Luke said the opportunities and experiences that were provided to him through the Rotary exchange were ones he would never forget.
If you want to know more about Rotary’s New Zealand Exchange program contact Geoff Smith on 6889 5447.
The gathering was impressed with the presentations and the students’ method of delivery.
