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Rotary Exchange Student farewells LatrobeAfter a year in Latrobe City, Traralgon Rotary Club exchange student, Lisa Kristensen, has returned home to Denmark with mixed feelings. By Latrobe Shire Council - 2nd August 2004 - Back to News Although excited about seeing her friends and family again, Lisa recently waved her new found friends and acquaintances goodbye with a tear in her eye.
"Latrobe - it’s my home. I plan to return as soon as possible because Latrobe City and Traralgon are now my home away from home," Lisa said on the eve of her departure.
Latrobe City International Relations Officer, Yuki Poole, said that Latrobe City Council is always keen to meet new students from overseas.
"A new International Relations unit has been created at Latrobe City Council, which is assisting Council develop and enhance its understanding of Latrobe City’s place in the global community. Young people from overseas, like Lisa, appreciate having the opportunity to live here and learn more about our region. They are given the opportunity to travel and learn about Australia, and it is something interesting and exciting that they can talk about with others back home," Ms Poole said.
According to Lisa, her objectives were quite specific when she arrived in Traralgon. "I wanted to meet as many people as possible and I was also determined to learn as much as possible about Australian culture," Lisa said.
"I visited the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Ayres Rock, Adelaide, Canberra, Coober Pedy, Walhalla, Wilsons Promontory, the Latrobe Valley Helimed base, participated in a Rotary adult group study exchange program and did heaps more. My whole experience was unforgettable."
However Lisa’s arrival in July last year was not quite as she’d expected it to be. Lisa arrived on a cold, wet and windy Victorian day – not quite the glorious sunshine that she had in mind. "My image of a sunburnt country was completely destroyed, yet several months later a spring temperature of 27 degrees really knocked me."
Lisa was also amazed by the large open spaces and the considerable distance between Australian towns and cities. "Denmark is a small country, so much smaller than Australia that its land area can fit into Australia 178 times. I was therefore overwhelmed by the seemingly huge distances Australians are prepared to travel, even if it is to Melbourne," Lisa said.
Despite the weather and the travel, Lisa’s fondness of all things Australian grew rapidly. "At first I had to force myself to eat vegemite but now I love it. Also, my passion for Milo is as great as my love of Tim Tams, all flavours," Lisa added.
Traralgon Rotary Club member, Bruce McDonald, said that Lisa made the most of all of her time in Australia and certainly achieved all of her goals during her stay in Latrobe City.
"Lisa attended Traralgon Secondary College, became involved in Meals on Wheels, assisted as a leader at Camp Rumbug and organised her own sponsorship for a bike ride from Korrumburra to Bendigo to attend a Rotary District Conference. Lisa also visited Loy Yang power station, Cooinda Hill Day Centre and Stockdale Primary School, just to name a few places," Mr McDonald said.
"Lisa’s natural ability to make friends has touched many people here. I will always recall how easy she made herself at home, and she will be missed by many people. Hopefully it’s not too long before she visits again," Mr McDonald concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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