James is 15 years old and leaves for Poland in mid-January and Lauren returns from Brazil. James’ father is a geologist and his mother is a mining engineer.

 

James found out about Rotary International Student Exchange through seeing an advertisement in a newspaper.

 

James’ interest include: reading, sports, music, short films, rowing, history, geography, economics, politics, and wall climbing in a gym. James also does regular winter skiing in Montreal and is up to double black stage.

 

The double black diamond is the symbol used to designate very advanced ski trails. Its level of difficulty is rated as expert. Only very advanced skiers should consider trying it. Double black diamond trails are very challenging. Their slopes are exceptionally steep, and are coupled with other hazards such as drop-offs, strong exposure to winds, narrow terrain (such as tight rock walls), and other difficult conditions. Typically, a double black diamond run is rated as more than the 40 percent steep grade of the average black diamond ski slope, the ski level before it. This makes the double black diamond slope very steep and difficult to tackle. [Source: https://www.trails.com/facts_19849_double-black-diamond-ski-definition.html]

 

Another interest James has is that of building and using a forge made with friend. Aluminium cans are collected by the two friends then melted in the forge between 600 to 1000 degrees.

 

James brought a long a knife made from the forged melted metal and admitted that it doesn’t look great and has no practical use, but an enjoyable hobby none the less.

 

James attended a Montessori Primary School. At Shenton College James is a GATE student (Gifted and Talented Education). James learn German in preparation to be a RIS only to decide upon Poland. James describes learning Polish as an adventure, it is a difficult language.

 

In Poland James will be based in the eastern industrial city of Chelm which is only 25 kilometres from the Ukraine border with a population of 64,000. Chelm features numerous notable historical monuments and tourist attractions in the Old Town.

 

Chelm is either a Proto-Slavic or Celtic word "cholm", meaning a hill in the sense of a fortified settlement. The town is rich in history which will interest James. [Source: https://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Che%C5%82m]

 

Finishing up my posts of big trip almost a month late but just before the new year comes around.
After more bus time, we eventually found ourselves in Salvador; one of the cities I was most excited to visit. Despite the pouring rain and consequencial detours throughout the day, we finally got our city tour.

After a short stay in Salvador, we embarked on another flight and bus trip to Jericoacoara. We were greeted with no rain, only sunshine and bright blue skies, visiting the many sites Jeri has to offer. The three days in Jeri passed way to fast and we moved onto Cumbuco, relaxing by the pool and beach while watching some amazing sunsets.

With the trip winding up, we hit our last city; Fortaleza with a city tour during the day and some final fun at night, watching a Christmas presentation in the city square.

Soon enough we embarked on our final two flights, winding up in Bauru and saying goodbyes to the exchange students, some of which I won’t see again before I leave Brazil, with plenty of tears and blubbering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Award at Girrawheen Clontarf Foundation Awards 5 December 2019
with President Allan McLean.

 

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