Neepawa Inner Wheel hosts international students

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Published on Wednesday, October 10, 2012

By: Donna Newton

myWestman.ca

For the 35th year, the Neepawa Inner Wheel were hosts to the Rotary International Students’ Orientation Weekend, Sept. 28 to 30.  Rotary District 5550 (Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) has 20 exchange students living in our towns for the next 12 months.  

The students, their counsellors and the District Youth Committee meet the end of September for an orientation weekend in Neepawa. 

There were students from Brasil, Columbia, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Russia, France and Belgium attending.  The students in Neepawa for this year is from Belgium.  There were workshops Friday evening and Saturday morning for the students and counsellors.  With the fabulous weather, on Saturday we were able to enjoy a weiner roast and visiting at Rotary Park. 

The students spent the afternoon at Evans Bowling Lanes.  Saturday evening we had a delicious supper prepared by the Legion Ladies.  Following supper District Governor, Rick Hubbs, from The Pas, welcomed the exchange students and wished them well during their year in Canada. 

The students introduced themselves, telling us where they were from, their sponsoring club and their host club.  The students entertained us with dances, teaching us phrases in their language and singing songs.  The students concluded the evening with a dance and more time to get to know each other.  Usually the students will get together four times throughout their year in Canada.

There is so much we can learn about the world and getting along from these students.  The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program is not only a wonderful program for the students but anyone who takes time to become acquainted with them.  Take time to get to know our student, Serena, and show her the wonders of Manitoba and Canada.