Student Exchange

Rotary Exchange: Harri Silvester

Harri finds Italy more than he’d bargained for

When Harri found out that his exchange location would be in the mountains in the north of Italy he naturally hoped that he would have the opportunity to ski there.  He already knew that he would be sharing daily life with his host family(s) and improving on his basic Italian language skills, but it turns out that there was much more in store for him.  This is Harri’s report at the end of the first quarter of his Rotary Youth Exchange year.

The first three months of my exchange have flown by.  I am living in Mantova in the north of Italy. My host family live about 10 minutes out of the city in a suburb called Porto Mantovano. I live with my host parents and host sister, who is the same age as me. My host family’s grandparents live on the same property but in a different house and often cook for us. I also have a host brother who returns occasionally from university. 

I have learnt a lot of Italian in my three months but still have a lot to learn. I started taking Italian lessons at school, but I have found I learn the most by speaking with others. I am attending a Liceo Scientifico school, which is a science and math focused school. I have found school a bit difficult, but my classmates are all really nice and helpful. 

During my Exchange I have gone to Roma with my host family, gone skiing in the Dolomites a few times, gone to Venice for a day, visited Padova with my class, and gone on a scout’s trip to the Dolomites. I have also travelled with Rotary: I spent a day at Lake Garda with the other exchange students in this district and went to Sicily for four days. While in Sicily we stayed at a nice hotel on the ocean and went to places like Noto, Ragusa, Siracusa, Modica and Taormina. 

This coming weekend I am going to my host family’s apartment in the mountains and the following weekend I have a Scouts weekend somewhere in Italy (we find out on the day). Next month I am going to Brescia for a Rotary Inbound/Outbound orientation weekend and in the summer holidays I am going hiking in Spain and spending a few days on the beach in Portugal. I am also going on a six-day hike with the scouts. Then in August I am going back to Sicily with both of my host families. 

I could not be more grateful to everyone that has made this exchange possible for me, I

 have learnt so many new things, been to so many new places and learnt so much about the Italian culture, language and their food. I would like to thank Mount Beauty Rotary Club, Rotary E-Club Victorinus Feltrensis, Kellie, Kristy, Meredith and my host family for making this exchange possible it truly is a lifetime in a year. 

Harri Silvester

Your opportunity to bring international experience to your family

The Rotary Club is now inviting applications from families that would like to host an international student.  Here is a chance for your family to take part in this enriching and educational program without even applying for a passport.  At this stage we cannot be certain about the details of the student coming to Mt Beauty in July this year (age, gender, nationality), but we have decided to put the word out early to give families a little time to consider this great opportunity.  Hosting may be for various periods of time, but around 3 months is preferred.  During this time the visiting student takes part in family life and attends Mount Beauty Secondary School.  All expenses are covered by the Rotary Club of Mount Beauty, and these include school uniforms, excursions and fees as well as monthly pocket money for the student. An allowance for food is also available on request.

If you would like to know more please ring Bob Flower on 0417 246 303 or Ewen Silvester on 0403 396 036.

There will be an information evening for families considering hosting, or indeed sending a student overseas at 7pm on Wednesday May 17 at Mount Beauty Secondary College.