International Youth Exchange students in Chandigarh

Eight students from Germany are in the city for four-weeks under the Rotary’s International Youth Exchange Programme.

These students have been hosted by the families of Rotarians of Rotary Clubs of Chandigarh Central and Ropar so that they are able to learn about the lifestyles and culture of India, said Rtn. Navjit Singh Aulakh, District 3080 Chairman for International Youth Exchange.

These students are in the city till 30th October and have visited Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Shimla and Jaipur, informed Rtn. President Harjit Singh Saggu, Rotary Chandigarh Central, whose members are hosting these youngsters.

An interaction with the media was organised with the media and the young 'ambassadors' shared their experiences with the reporters.

Mr Nils Yannic Cirkel has been stuck with the variety of cusines and could never imagine different ways the Indian vegetables could be cooked, though these are a little spicy.

Mr Silvan Steiner is all praise for the Indian weather, the Germany being too cold at this time of the year, but more than anything else, he said, it is the warmth and hospitality of the Indian family he is living with that has touched him the most.

Ms Belinda Vogt, who just reached back from Agra by morning Shatabadi, was surprised by the variety of vehicles on the Indian roads.

Hilda and Jocelin, both 17, from Taiwan are in the city and studying in class 9th in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan since August under the Rotary’s one year youth exchange programme. Both of them have picked up Hindi conversational tips from their regular classes at the school, and are enjoying themselves thoroughly.

Hilda is mesmerized by the monuments in India especially the Golden temple in Amritsar which she visited recently while Indian weddings and traditional Indian costumers have enamoured Jocelin.

Rotary’s objective is to encourage people-to-people contact amongst different countries and build bridges of better understanding and goodwill through such exchange programmes.

Later in the evening on 26th October, they attended the regular meeting of Rotary Club of Chandigarh at Rotary House, and presented flags of their sponsoring club i.e. from Germany and Taiwan, to President Rtn. G.S. Lakhmna.

Media Coverage

The media interaction with Youth Exchange students was covered in some of the leading English and vernacular newspapers:

HT City/ Page 4 (with photo)
They are loving it!

Chandigarh Newsline/Page 7 (with 2 photos)
The big switch

The Tribune/lifestyle/Page 3 (with photo)
An affair to remember

Chandigarh Bhaskar/Page 1 (with photo)
Classroom chhota ho to, samajh mein aata hai behtar

Amar Ujala/ My City/Page 3 (with photo)
Vyanjano ke mureed hue videshi chhatar

Chandigarh kesari/Page 2
German ke youth ambassador tricity mein

Sohni City/ Hindustan/ Page 3
German ke youth ambassador pahunche Chandigarh


CJ