NEW ADVENTURES: Exchange students Sebastian Lin from Taiwan, Pierre-Louis Nottellet from France and Zsofi Szabo from Hungary. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN
CONQUERING the hot Australian summer is one experience three international exchange students can lay claim to.
For the past six months Zsofi Szabo, 16, from Hungary, Sebastian Lin, 16, from Taiwan and Pierre-Louis Nottellet, 17, from France have called Bendigo home.
The trio are part of a Rotary Exchange Program, where school-aged students spend 12 months abroad, living with a number of different host families.
Sebastian, who is temporarily attending Bendigo Senior Secondary College said he was enjoying his time in Australia but was struggling with the weather.
“Forty degrees is too hot for me,” he said.
Sebastian said he had visited Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, the Blue Mountains and the Murray River. “I went water skiing,” he said. “It is my favourite activity so far.”
Pierre, who is attending Girton Grammar from France, said the biggest difference between France and Australia was the behaviour of people.
“In France we don’t speak with people we don’t know, but you walk down the street here the people speak to everyone,” he said.
Pierre said he enjoyed eating all Australian foods and had acquired a taste for kangaroo meat and Vegemite.
Also at Girton Grammar, Zsofi said she wanted to take part in the exchange program to experience a new culture and make lifelong friends.
She said the first few days living in Australia were difficult but she had quickly settled in thanks to the support of her host family.
Applications for the 2014 Rotary Exchange Program are open.
For more information contact Margaret Paulsen on 5443 0047 or visit www.rotary
youthaustralia.com.au