Cailey Nikodem, a grade 10 student at Chatelech Secondary, recently returned from France on a short term Rotary exchange program. She initially considered going on exchange after her family hosted an exchange student, Alix Bentaberry from Lille, France.
While Cailey is an avid rugby fan, Alix is an avid golf player and plays for her local school. This difference in sports didn’t stop them from becoming close friends during the exchange. Alix had always wanted to come to Canada, and Rotary gave her that opportunity.
“The experience was amazing. I had contacted Alix a month before the exchange, after being connected through Rotary, and we chatted forever. We had booked all our flights and arranged the pick-up so then we just had to wait. Alix came to Canada first for about a month in July and we did all the touristy things in Vancouver like bike around Stanley Park, visit the aquarium, and walk around downtown Vancouver. It was so cool to see our local community though a visitor’s eyes and we went to places that I hadn’t even been to yet, like kayaking around Porpoise Bay.
“Her main goal was to see a bear, so we went to Grouse Mountain where we were sure to see some, and we did. I loved hanging out with her and because we were total strangers, learn about each other and our own cultures. We went to Barkerville to see a bit of B.C. history and even though some was lost in translation, it was great. She met some of my friends and we spent our last Canadian moments lounging on the beach here on the Coast.”
After showing Alix some of the most beautiful parts of British Columbia, Cailey then went to France.
“France was beautiful. It was so cool to be immersed in a totally different language and culture. It’s different than just visiting because in the exchange you stay with total strangers that speak a different language and you have to adjust. I met almost all of Alix’s family and pets. We did so many things like visiting medieval villages and swimming in canyons. Everyone was so kind and understanding. I learned about some French traditions, like appéro, and ate for ages. It was pleasantly warm the entire time and was quite a culture shock coming back to Canada even after such a short time abroad.
“I loved the whole thing. I’ve now made a lifelong connection with someone I’ve known less than a year. It was different than travelling with a friend because you depend on each other more. In France, Alix was the only person I knew and could talk to and vice-versa. I feel so lucky having this experience and thank the local Rotary Club for the opportunity.”
– Submitted
