Okotoks Rotary changing lives through student exchanges

The Rotary Club of Okotoks has completed another year of its youth exchange program, which continues to change the lives of its young participants.

Now in its 50^th year of connecting youth around the world, the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, organized by Rotary International, sees students travel abroad to live and study in various countries.

Two students participated in the program this year through the Rotary Club of Okotoks. Maya Neukom, who is from Okotoks, got to experience living in Italy, while Frida Roland-Hoberg, who is from Denmark, spent a year in the Foothills.

Neukom attended school in the city of Cagliari and Roland-Hoberg attended Foothills Composite in Okotoks.

Exchange students stay with host families – three different ones during the duration of their stay – which allows for an easier transition into local culture and lifestyle.

Both participants said they had experiences they would never have without with the program.

“During my year here, I made so many friendships I wouldn’t have thought possible before I left. I have been able to really connect with Canadian culture,” said Roland-Hoberg.

“I learned a bunch of skills that I wouldn’t have learned if I stayed in my house,” added Neukom.

Both students felt like they learned vital life skills at a critical time in their development.

“I learned foundational skills that I will take into university now,” said Neukom.

“To understand people and have more empathy and sympathy, you really have to try to figure these things out when meeting different people,” she added.

Roland-Hoberg spoke about her interest in theatre and the transformation she had in Okotoks.

“I really like theatre, but I never had the confidence to go on stage.

“Here, I finally got confident enough to audition and I went on stage in front of multiple crowds. I have gotten better at emotional stability and control,” said Roland-Hoberg.

Neukom got to stay on the island of Sardinia, a semi-autonomous region of Italy.

“The Sardinians are very proud to be Sardinian, they wouldn’t call themselves Italian,” said Neukom. “They are very loyal to their roots which was interesting to see.”

Roland-Hoberg also had takeaways about the people of the Foothills.

“There’s more of a service culture here, people talk a little bit more. In Denmark, they are more reserved but here people will smile at you more.”

Kerri Ann Colby, the youth exchange officer for the Rotary Club of Okotoks, said the program has far-reaching benefits.

“The Rotary Youth Exchange program is truly transformative, not just for the students, but for our entire community,” she said. “Witnessing the growth and understanding that develops through these exchanges is incredibly rewarding.”

The Rotary Club of Okotoks is gearing up for another year of the exchange program, which is set to start in early August. Local teen Amelie Sutton will be going to France, while the club will be welcoming a student from Brazil.