The perfect city for exchange students
Christoph Melnitzky (15) just headed back to Austria after four weeks on an exchange program in South Africa. He styed in Nelspruit.
To an Austrian, there is one thing that is frustrating about South Africans: they are not very punctual. The rest of our characteristics, however, make up for this one little flaw.
Foreign exchange student Christoph Melnitzky (15) left the continent on Monday to head back to Vienna after spending four weeks with a South African family in Mbombela. He was here on a foreign exchange programme hosted by the International Rotary Club.
Christoph said applying for the programme was easy and the arrangements, effortless. The only requirements to participate, is that at least one member of the family must be a member of the Rotary Club, applicants must have a valid passport and when minors travel to South Africa, they must provide an unabridged birth certificate, as stated by the new minor immigration law.
“South Africa is much more beautiful than I anticipated,” he said. “The country as well as the people’s culture. It was just a beautiful experience.
“However, the people are not punctual. In Austria, we are always 15 minutes early. If there is one thing I hope to leave behind with my host family, it is to be a bit more punctual.”
Another South African occurrence Christoph had to get used to, was being unable to just go outside and walk around by yourself out of fear for your own safety.
You have to be in a group or in a car. In Austria, we just head out on foot whenever we want.
Although his mother tongue is German, he had no problem relying on English to get around.”
His host family ensured that his stay was filled with all the must-dos in and around the Lowveld.
“We visited the Kruger Park, went hiking in Kaapsehoop, camped in the Breede River Valley and even went diving and surfing in Mozambique,” he said.
Mariëtte Venter and her family hosted the young man. She said he would leave a whole in their hearts. “We learned so much from Christoph,” Mariëtte said.
It was such a treat to share our home with him and we will surely miss him.
Mariëtte’s son, Milan, will stay with Christoph and his family for four weeks in December. It forms part of the programme that the exchange student must also open his or her home to his host family.
“We are going to ski for three out of the four weeks I am there,” Milan said. “I also can’t wait to see the different culture and the beauty of Austria.”
A few fun facts about Christoph’s South African experience:
• His favourite Afrikaans word is ‘”bokkie” (of which they saw a lot during their trip to the KNP)
• He was amazed how often we use food as entertainment or as an excuse to visit with people (especially a braai)
• His favourite animal since childhood is a lion. He saw one in real life for the first time in the KNP
• When he visits Australia, he will have been on every continent on earth. However, when his parents go on their next international holiday, he will convince them to come to South Africa.
