May 30, 2015 at 08:39 am

Kia ora (hello in Maori, NZ?s native language), from Marilena's Mum Angela

Update posted by Angela Penteado

Kia ora (hello in Maori, New Zealand?s native language)

"Hi my name is Marilena and I'm a 16-year-old student from Auckland, New Zealand a ?Kiwi?. Since I can recall, I have always wanted to travel overseas to discover more of others cultures. Maybe it's because my parents come from different sides of the world. I'm both a sixth generation New Zealander, yet also regard myself as European through my Dad's Portuguese heritage. Recently I discovered a wonderful way of achieving my dream of living in Europe when I was nominated to be a 2016 Rotary Youth Exchange student from New Zealand to Switzerland. The Rotary Youth Exchange is a study-abroad opportunity for young people, allowing them to spend a full year as an international student hosted by local Rotary clubs. I'm so excited to have this opportunity and hope to find a way to afford to go. I love the way youth exchanges promote international friendship, peace and understanding, and build future leaders and strengthen global business and personal links.

Since offered the opportunity at a Rotary selection weekend, my family will tell you I talk of little else. Each day I discover more of my future country. "

Marilena's Mum Angela writes: "She?s never seen snow, so is looking forward to the winter there and the beauty of the mountains. Learning new languages and different cultures will help her achieve her career goal of working in travel and tourism. She loves meeting people from other countries.Also, Marilena hopes to be able to get more proficient in French, allowing her to communicate with family in Portugal (her aunty and uncle speak French). In time she hopes to be able to learn Portuguese, her Dad?s native tongue. Marilena has only met her Portuguese family once. As Marilena?s Mum, I understand her enthusiasm because I also had the opportunity to be a student exchange scholar to upstate New York when I was 17. I know what it?s like to pursue fundraising to make a dream possible. Just as I put much financial pressure on my parents, now we're looking carefully into how we can do fundraising in various ways. If you can help her achieve her goals, Marilena will be very grateful and will personally acknowledge each supporter with a note and a token from NZ.,

Marilena is very excited. Drop us your email address when donating, so we can contact you to say thanks. Thanks for your support!

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