September highlight by Erin Bailey - Youth Exchange Chair
We are excited to introduce our Rotary Youth Exchange inbound student for the year, Leander, from Rotenburg, Germany, who we welcomed with an exchange student picnic in September at the Kutztown Community Park.
Leander is spending the school year with host families in our community and is already making the most of his time here in Pennsylvania. He is playing soccer and might join the wrestling team in the spring.
Leander is curious and open-minded, eager to explore history, politics, and American culture through visits to cities, museums, and sporting events. Leander comes from a diverse international family—his father was born in Asia, and his mother is from Brazil. This unique background has fueled his passion for foreign cultures, which is why he is excited to represent Germany abroad. As he puts it, “The exchange broadens my personal horizon and could help me choose a career later on.”
Leander advocates for fairness and respect, values he carries with him wherever he goes. He believes that mutual respect is key to fostering positive relationships and creating a better world.
During our welcome picnic for Leander, he shared photos of his family and hometown, giving us a glimpse into his life in Germany. He also brought delicious marzipan from Lübeck, a town near where he lives, known for the famous confectionery. It was a wonderful way to start his exchange experience with us!
If any Rotary members are interested in taking Leander on an outing, feel free to reach out on our website (kutztownrotary.com). He’s especially interested in history, politics, and sports games. Also, mark your calendars—his birthday is February 11th! Let’s plan a special celebration sometime that month for him to make this exchange even more memorable.
Rotary Youth Exchange is about building international understanding and goodwill - learn more about the program here. We are thrilled to have Leander as part of our community. Let’s help him create lasting memories while he’s here!
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