YEP-D19A_Experiences

I am writing to thank you for an unforgettable experience and to let you know that I have arrived home safely. On my trip home I had a three-day stop over in Los Angles, California where I met up with the other 25 Youth Exchangees from Australia. This was a fantastic experience where lots of stories were shared, new friendships made and fun had by all!

Secondly I wish to let you know how absolutely fantastic Dave and Marge Biggs were as host parents. Whilst staying there I really felt as though I was part of the family. They both strived to make sure that I had an action packed, fun and memorable time whilst in Kimberley. I think that almost everyday we were out doing or seeing something interesting. They both also showed me Canadian 'culture' which was actually really interesting.

One of the more memorable experiences was a three-day trip to world famous Banff. This was an awesome experience in itself. I was able to ski Sunshine Village, which was nothing short of heaven. J I also had my fair share of steeping in Hot Springs. They are both fantastic, down to earth people that really made my trip a special one.

I would also like to thank everyone there in the Kimberley Lions Club who helped make my stay in Kimberley so enjoyable. Everybody really seemed to pull together to show me the area from a 'local's perspective'. Because of this teamwork I was able to go skiing, snow mobile-ing, I got to see an ice hockey match and an exploration drill site.

Once again I wish to that you all for the best Lions Youth Exchange ever!

For four years, three weeks in December we opened our home to four youth exchange young men Michael, Steve, Scott, Mark. They told us about their lives, two lived in the city and two lived out in the country on farms in Australia.

They enjoyed participating in our festivities and for most having their very first "White Christmas". The Australian Christmas could be a BBQ, a cottage near the beach, or a picnic in the park as their seasons are reverse to ours. If they did not know how to ski, they soon learned the freedom the boards could give them. They attended curling games, hockey games, Christmas programs and went to the local recreation centre for other activities. They did a presentation in the elementary school, speaking about their lives and showing pictures of their families. They met with the city Mayor and toured the offices. Each student visited Lions Clubs in the area. They did their presentation and presented banners and pins from their sponsoring club. There were social gatherings with other YEP students and their host families from the surrounding area. Outings to other cities give them as much tourist information as possible to take home, as they were also expected to do a presentation at their sponsoring club on their returned.

We still communicate with three families. For most of these young men it was their first time away from home. Scott , who lives and works on a farm, visited us awhile ago and we met his fiancé, they married last year and have just had a baby. Mark has been busy working the family farm and has not had an opportunity to return. Michael got the travel bug and has been over to the North American Continent a number of times visiting with our family many times. He worked at one of the ski hills in the USA for many winters, some years returning to work with a travel booking agency off season and other years he became a world traveler till the ski season started again. At this time he is an airline steward working in New Zealand.

It's been a great experience for our family, one that we will never forget. It has made the world a smaller place. Our family has been to Australia and visited with all students and their families. Mark's father is a Lion and while we were there we attended a couple of meetings. We are planning to attend the International Convention in Sydney and take the opportunity while there to visit again with all the families.

I would like to thank the Lions organization for one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have gone on an exchange that has let me stay with host families in both Finland and Norway as well as a youth camp in the Valdres mountain range of Norway.

I have met so many different people and have created many wonderful friendships that I hope will last for a very long time. My host families all made an amazing effort to help me fit in and feel like one of the family. We went out on many excursions to see and experience the many different areas that I stayed in. This really gave me an appreciation for the different life styles and customers that we have throughout the world.

The Youth Camp in the Valdres mountain range was an amazing experience as I lived in a log cabin with many other youth from around the world. We all interacted and learned from each other as we lived together for the time there. We had a great time learning about may other areas of the world like Germany, Poland, France, and Holland etc. as we compared our lives back home with one another.

Thank You again Lions of District 19A, you have allowed me this amazing experience from which I have grown so much and will treasure the memories always.