It’s hard to believe that Victoire, William, and Ambre have come to the end of their year-long Rotary Youth Exchange in New Zealand. At our June 16th meeting, the trio took the stage as guest speakers, sharing highlights from a journey that has been nothing short of life-changing.
Each had unforgettable moments: William conquered the Tongariro Crossing, Ambre treasured a weekend on a Marae, and Victoire found peace in the beauty of Doubtful Sound. Their Kiwi bucket lists were full of adventure too—Victoire saw whales and dolphins for the first time, William took the leap with skydiving and bungee jumping, and Ambre enjoyed a trip to the Bay of Islands.
Of course, the exchange came with challenges—navigating language barriers, adapting to host families, coping with loneliness, and missing home. Yet the lessons they shared spoke volumes: that whānau is more than family ties, that asking opens doors, that everyone has something to teach, and that saying “yes” to opportunities makes all the difference (along with never claiming pavlova came from Australia!).
They now leave proudly calling themselves honorary New Zealanders—having blown on a pie, gone barefoot in the supermarket, eaten fish and chips, embraced rugby, and even made chip sandwiches. Each expressed heartfelt gratitude to their host families and Rotarians for their unwavering kindness, support, and time.
We are so proud to have shared this chapter with three remarkable young people. The Rotary Youth Exchange Programme continues to prove how transformative it is—building friendships, resilience, and lifelong memories across cultures. We wish Victoire, William, and Ambre every success as they return home, carrying a piece of New Zealand with them forever.
