The Monument Rotary Club has welcomed a foreign exchange student as part of its efforts to empower young people involved in the Rotary Interact Club.

Maya Sofie Sossenheimer, a short-term Rotary Exchange student from Germany, recently arrived in Krugersdorp and will spend time experiencing South African culture while connecting with local learners and the community.

According to Maya, she will be hosted by a family during her stay, whose daughter will later travel to Germany to stay with Maya as part of the short-term exchange programme.

She will attend Hoërskool Monument High School, where she will form new friendships and share her own German heritage with fellow learners and the wider community.

Monument Rotary Club president Nicolene Botha said the programme provides young people with opportunities to develop lifelong leadership skills, learn about new languages and cultures, and build lasting friendships with people from around the world.

She explained that the programme is a cultural experience for learners between the ages of 15 and 19. Administered locally by volunteers, it allows teenagers to live with host families abroad either for a full academic year or through a shorter six- to eight-week exchange programme.

“Monument Rotary Club wishes Maya a memorable and rewarding exchange, and hopes her time in South Africa will be filled with learning, adventure and lasting connections. Welcome to Monument Rotary and Krugersdorp, Maya,” Nicolene concluded.