A Year in Denmark, a Lifetime of Memories

What happens when a young person leaves home for a year, moves to another country, learns a new language and becomes part of several new families?

For Claire Dunbar, the Rotary Club of St. Marys' 79th outbound Youth Exchange student, the answer was a life-changing experience filled with friendships, adventures and personal growth.

Claire returned to the Club on October 19 to share the story of her year in Denmark, accompanied by her parents, who offered their own perspective on what the experience had meant to their family.

A New Home, New Families and New Experiences

During her exchange, Claire lived with three Danish host families, experiencing everything from small-town life to living on a hobby farm complete with cows, sheep and chickens.

She attended a Danish gymnasium (secondary school), where the school day, class schedules and educational system were quite different from those in Canada. She also took Danish language lessons and developed friendships with Danish classmates and exchange students from around the world.

Her presentation offered a fascinating glimpse into everyday Danish life — from open-faced rye bread sandwiches and the surprisingly popular salad pizza to Christmas traditions, school celebrations and the country's excellent public transportation system.

There were cultural surprises, too. But Claire approached them with curiosity and a willingness to embrace the unfamiliar.

Exploring Denmark and Beyond

Claire's year included opportunities to explore Denmark's cities, countryside and historic sites. She also participated in a European tour, visiting several countries and sharing the experience with fellow exchange students.

The photographs she shared captured remarkable places, but it was clear that the people she met were just as important as the destinations.

Those friendships continue beyond the exchange. Claire returned to Denmark with her parents and brother in August, shortly after completing her year abroad, giving her family an opportunity to meet her Danish host families and experience some of the places that had become so important to her.

A Family's Perspective

One of the evening's most meaningful moments came when Claire's parents spoke.

They expressed their appreciation to Rotary and to Mark for the work involved in making Youth Exchange possible. They also described the changes they had seen in their daughter.

Claire had returned home more mature, more confident and more independent. Her parents remarked on the difference between the young person who had presented to the Club before leaving and the confident young woman speaking that evening.

They were especially proud that the decision to participate had been entirely Claire's.

After attending an information session about Rotary Youth Exchange, Claire was so enthusiastic that she began her application that very evening. Her parents recalled being asked for information needed for the application when they were already trying to get to sleep!

Their family also experienced the other side of Youth Exchange by hosting an inbound student while Claire was away. That opportunity gave them an even greater appreciation for the responsibilities and rewards of welcoming a young person from another country into their home.

Part of a Long Rotary Tradition

Mark introduced Claire with a presentation entitled Rotary Youth Exchange by the Numbers, highlighting the Club's involvement in the program since 1972.

Claire was the 79th outbound student sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Marys — one of many young people whose lives have been shaped by the opportunity to experience another country and culture.

The Club's current inbound student, Lieanne Bambo from the Philippines, was also present. When asked what advice she would give Lieanne, Claire encouraged her to take advantage of every opportunity, meet people and make connections.

It's advice that comes from experience.

What's Next for Claire?

Claire is now completing Grade 12 at Nancy Campbell Academy in Stratford and hopes to study film at Queen's University.

Reflecting on her exchange, she described it as a life-changing experience — a phrase she acknowledged is often used by exchange students, but one she now knows to be true.

Her presentation was a wonderful reminder that Rotary Youth Exchange is about much more than travelling to another country. It's about discovering new perspectives, developing independence, building lasting friendships and returning home with a broader understanding of the world.

Welcome home, Claire, and thank you for sharing your remarkable year with us!