GOING on an exchange visit is a rite of passage for many young people.
Last week Mila Soini arrived from Finland to take part in the exchange program hosted by the Rotary Club of Kooweerup and Lang-Lang.
The international exchange program run by Rotary Australia allows 14 to 16 year-olds from around the world to live with a host family in a new country. While the idea may be daunting for parents, it’s usually an experience never to be forgotten. The Rotary club has been involved in the youth exchange program since 1980, hosting and sponsoring a number of students.
Tania Hansen was an exchange student with the club in 1988 and went to Denmark.
Her husband, John McDonnell, is a past president of the club.
The McDonnell family counsel the incoming and outgoing students, making sure the youngsters are not too homesick and are enjoying their year away. “The student has an individual counsellor to look after them and check that they are doing well,” she said.
In January, Pakenham girl Stephanie Beaver left for Finland. The incoming exchange student usually spends three months with four host families, typically members of the Rotary club.
This year, Mila will live with the McDonnell family in Pakenham, the Harrison family in Kooweerup, the Algie family in Kooweerup and the Walsh family in Pakenham South. In previous years, incoming exchange students have hailed from South Africa, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Denmark and Japan.
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