MARNIE NOAKES, a ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT

In January 2023 Marnie Noakes left Parkes in central NSW and travelled to the town of Wurzburg in the Bavarian Provence of Germany. For 12 months she was part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program and studied in Germany while living with four different host families. During this time she was able to play in the snow with the temperature at -4 degrees, attend her first opera, tour a German castle, visit a wildlife farm and many other first time experiences. With a host family Marnie did a road trip to Macedonia and Greece; and as part of her Euro-Tour visited 7 different countries. Marnie describes the exchange as having changed her life as it has increased her confidence, and taught her resilience and how to be self-sufficient, not to mention she now speaks German.


Rotary Youth Exchange provides a uniques opportunity for a student to experience another country's culture and a new way of life. Marnie Noakes, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Parkes was selected for a 12 months study exchange to Germany. She was a guest of the Wurzberg-Stein Rotary Club in the Bavaria Province in Germany. She attended the Wurzberg Gymnasium School. While there she learnt German and was even able to visit another school where she was guest speaker at a student assembly.

During the exchange she experienced snow, the opera, a German castle, lazer tag and travelling to other countries in Europe.  She was also able to get a taste for German food, trying German traditional white sausage which she loved. Of course she shared Australian foods, such as Tim Tams and pavlova.

The exchange lasted from January 2023 until January 2024. Marnie particularly liked meeting new people along the way. She now confidently talks to Rotary Clubs and school groups about the Rotary Student Exchange and encourages others to do it.

MARNIE NOAKES

Marnie is a student at the Parkes Christian School. Her mother, Liz is a member of the Parkes Rotary Club. Her family also hosted a Rotary Exchange student for 4 months in Parkes. Through her involvement with Rotary Exchange Marnie's mother is involved with the Rotary District 9705 Exchange Program and next year her sister, Lucy will also go on an exchange to France.

Marnie has always been involved with the community and various projects. She made bags for the Rotary End Trachoma project, and has often made craft to sell and donate to charity. At present she is busy crocheting and selling bags for a Rotary project to provide a scholarship to keep girls in school in Nepal.

CONTACT:         Liz Noakes         0415 413933

















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