Exchange student Danica tells of her Italian adventure
After spending a year in Italy, Danica Pombo hopes to encourage all youth to take part in a youth exchange programme.
After taking part in a four-week student exchange programme in Italy, Danica Pombo hopes her experience will inspire many of her peers to do the same as it will allow them to learn a lot more about what the world has to offer.
On April 11, she shared her experience with members of the Monument Rotary Club at Khosa Sports Club.
The Rotary Youth Exchange is a programme by Rotary International. The programme enables young people to develop lifelong leadership skills, learn a new language and culture, build lasting friendships with young people from around the world and become global citizens. With the programme not only did she get a chance to look at the beautiful sites and culture of Italy, she also opened herself up to see what other people around the globe have to offer.
She had the opportunity to visit four places while on her adventure, namely central Verona, Lake Garde, Asiago and Venice. Her favourite among those places is Venice.
“Venice truly is one of the most beautiful cities to visit. With its breathtaking bridges, canals and architecture. While we were there we also made a stop at San Marco which is a beautiful historical cathedral. My second favourite place I got to visit was the mountains in Asiago. It was my first time getting to see and experience real snow. Here we spent the day hiking up the mountains while wearing sneakers which probably wasn’t our brightest idea, however, we did have snow fights and even made a very mediocre-looking snowman. “
Another standout for her was also being in the beautiful sites of Verona. Verona is the setting from Shakespeare’s love story of Romeo and Juliet.
“While visiting the city we made a stop at Juliet’s house. Here you can see all of the red-heart locks that have been added to the wall. I also got to see the famous purple Bauli tree during the day as well as later on in the evening as it lit up with its lights. Here’s also where I got to try gelato for the first time.
“Going on exchange was not only an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone but it opened doors for me to meet and become friends with some of the most amazing people. I would like to thank the Rotary Club Johannesburg South 101 as well as my family for giving me this opportunity and making me more independent.”
