The Rotary Club of Skegness were pleased to be the sponsor club for Sophie Bowler who has recently completed a 3 month visit to Australia. Here is Sophie's account of the exchange programme.

'My experience on the New Generations programme was undoubtedly one of the best of my life and has provided me with so many future opportunities that I would never have dreamed possible. During the 3 months of my exchange I stayed with 3 families; all of whom went out of their way to show me round Australia and allowed me to experience things I never would have done if I had not got onto this programme. I spent nights away in Sydney, went to the famous Opera house to experience my first opera, went to Newcastle to visit the amazing Newcastle beaches, was taken on extraordinary horseback rides through the Australian bush, as well as numerous other things to make my 3 months unforgettable. The generosity of my host families and everyone in Rotary was indescribable and they are what made my time in Australia the best I’ve ever had. I met so many friends while on exchange and regularly went out with my friend Lara who was one of the daughters of my 3rd host family. We went wakeboarding, sailing, out to parties and had such a brilliant time; still allowing me to keep up my lifestyle of a 21 year old!

Now turning to my placement; my internship with Greg Piper, the Mayor and State member for Lake Macquarie was so beneficial to the development of my career. I worked in the State electorate office gaining knowledge and experience of all of the issues that face a state member and what is involved in the daily running of an electorate office. I carried out research projects- collecting, analysing and presenting data, developed Greg's new website and overall contributed to the successful running of the electorate office. In addition I worked in Parliament for 3 days a week when it sat, gaining first hand knowledge of the workings of state government and how policy is developed. This was a remarkable experience that many would only dream of. I met a number of famous political faces whilst working with Greg, I met the Governor of Australia, the Premier of New South Wales, the leader of the opposition as well as numerous state ministers which was an amazing opportunity for me. The internship provided me with skills and knowledge that will look extremely impressive to potential employers and will undoubtedly help me pursue a career in politics.

I am also pleased to tell the Rotary club that because of this amazing opportunity provided for me, I have been offered a job with the New South Wales Electoral Commission in Sydney where I am now working as an Education, Research and Communications officer. This job is everything I have always wanted, it is exactly what I was looking for to start off my career and also allows me to stay in Australia which is like a dream come true. This will do amazing things for my career and it is all down to the Rotary Club and the New Generations programme. I now have such an amazing life living and working in Sydney. It is with out a doubt the best thing I have ever done and I strongly recommend it to those like me looking to pursue a successful career and gain work experience.'

www.gregpiper1.com/  To see Sophie in Australia and about the job she is doing

www.ribi.org/youth/youth-exchange To find out more about Youth Exchange options available