Broadening horizons

MOKOPANE – A new exchange student from France was welcomed and introduced at the Rotary of Potgietersrus’ meeting on Tuesday.
Pierre Jeff Erik Delesalle (16) from France and Abraham Geerkens from Hoërskool Piet Potgieter has exchanged places as exchange students. These boys have seized an opportunity of a lifetime as they are participating in Rotary’s Youth Exchange Programme which offers high school aged students the opportunity to exchange cultures, study abroad and be ambassadors for their own countries.
Delesalle arrived in South Africa recently and is boarding at his hosting family, Estelle and Dr. Hanri Geerkens, as a short term exchange student. Abraham, however, will only be leaving for France after finishing Grade 11 at the end of this year. At the Rotary of Potgietersrus’ meeting on Tuesday Delesalle was introduced. He said he aims to improve his knowledge of South Africa and to learn more at Hoërskool Piet Potgieter where he is attending school.
The exchange programme is open to children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians. For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary’s long-term and short-term Youth Exchange Programmes. More than 80 countries and over 8 000 students each year participate in the programme, which is administered at regional level by Rotary districts and at local level by Rotary clubs.
Rotary Youth Exchange students spend up to a year living with a few host families while attending school in a different country. These students, explained past district governor Ian McGlashan of Rotary of Potgietersrus at the Rotary meeting on Tuesday, learn a new way of living, a great deal about themselves, and maybe even a new language. “Exchange students are being ambassadors, teaching people they meet about their country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer – and make some good friends in the process,” he added.
The objectives of Youth Exchange students are to further international goodwill and understanding; to study and observe all facets of life and culture in their host country which enable them to advance their education.
Delsalle will be participating in the exchange programme for only 6 weeks. During this period, he will amongst other objectives, be expected to perform well in school. Delsalle said he is excited to also live out his passion for rugby at Hoërskool Piet Potgieter. 
Rotary quoted Franklin Roosevelt’s saying, “We cannot always build the future for our youth but we can build our youth for the future.”