Rotary exchange students gather in Melfort

When he was 10, Maxence Palkowski’s brother went on a Rotary student exchange to Japan  and a Japanese and Taiwanese student came to live with him.

He got to see what a student exchange is like and the visitors became like sisters to him.

“People can come here, they’re from different countries and different cultures and you can speak with them, be their friend,” he said. “It opened my mind.”

A student exchange was something he wanted to experience. Now, the student from Oignies, France is living in Neepawa, Man. for a year.

Palkowski was one of sixteen Rotary exchange students from Eastern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario to come to a three-day retreat in Melfort, held Jan. 19 to 21.

“One weekend a year, we bring the youth exchange students that are part of our district into Melfort for a weekend of fun and games,” said Michael Mahon, a member of the Melfort Rotary Club and an organizer of the event.

On Friday, the students went to the Northern Lights Pool. On Saturday, they skied at Wapiti and took in a Mustangs game. On Sunday, they went out to a farm to snowmobile and ride on a sleigh before returning to Melfort for supper.

Mahon said the weekend has been held in Melfort each year since the 1980s.

“It’s very special for us. Our club really enjoys the youth exchange program. To see these kids come here, to see the outstanding people they are and to have such a good time, it really makes it enjoyable for us,” he said. “Our club is great at getting out and joining in with parts of the activities, helping out.”

Valentin Schwamborn was another exchange student. From Tuningen, Germany, he went to the U.S. in 2013 and applied for an exchange to a North American country. When Trump was elected, his parents didn’t want him to go there.

So he went to Assiniboia.

“It’s a smaller community, but everybody’s very open, very friendly. Canadians are very honest and tell you if they have a problem with you or if there’s something they like about you,” he said. “Everybody knows everybody in Assiniboia and it’s very awesome there.”

Schwamborn likes the high school there, getting involved in a sport he never tried before: football.

“I never played Canadian football before in Germany,” he said. “When I applied and got my district and my town, the husband of my counsellor  texted me and said I had to try football because we’re short of players and needed me to get a team together.”

Schwamborn played the entire season and then was chosen to play with the South Saskatchewan Selects. He will be playing in a tournament in Texas in February against Canadian, American and Mexican teams.

Palkowski chose Canada because he wanted to improve his English and learn more about Canadian culture. Living on a farm was a shock for him, but he soon built strong friendships with people in the community and the high school.

“I’ve had to meet the people of Neepawa and they are really nice people,” he said. “I never lived in a small town like that and the fact that everyone knows each other, the fact that there are small community activities, that’s awesome.”

For those interested in going on an exchange, Palkowski has this advice.

“Try everything. Never say no,” he said. “Experience. You’re there to experience culture, for discovery.”

Schwamborn had some different advice.

“Don’t think about the school you’ll miss. It’s definitely worth it. It improves your language skills immensely. It’s an awesome time. You’ll make new friends and you’ll learn a lot.”