Exchange program for new experiences

A YOUNG woman from Budapest in Hungary has seen the ocean for the first time in her life this month thanks to the Lions Youth Exchange program.

Eighteen-year-old Karina has spent the past two weeks enjoying what Victoria has to offer, hosted by Bacchus Marsh Lions Club members Gerry and Anne Monaghan.

“The best thing I’ve seen so far is the Great Ocean Road,” she said. “I really enjoyed it because I’ve never seen the ocean before so it was a huge thing for me.

“I’ve also fed some kangaroos and saw some koalas. We were in Melbourne and we went to the Skydeck. I think Melbourne is a really beautiful city with skyscrapers which we don’t have in Hungary.”

Karina said there are a few interesting differences between Hungary and Australia.

“In winter, it’s not as cold here, and the nature and environments here are so much prettier,” she said.

“The trees and plants are so beautiful here because we don’t have that many kinds of them in Budapest.”

Karina was encouraged to take part in the Lions exchange program by her mother, who visited Texas about 30 years ago when she took part in it herself, while her grandfather is a Lions member back home.

Having touched down in Australia on 6 July, Karina will be in the region until this Sunday.

As well as meeting with Moorabool Shire Council mayor Cr Ally Munari last Tuesday, her trip also entails camping at Forster in New South Wales, and attending a Lions district function in Ballarat tomorrow.

Karina is the 10th Lions exchange program participant the Monaghans have hosted in as many years,

“We like sharing how good Melbourne and Victoria is,” Mr Monaghan said. “I’ve got relatives that come from overseas and we enjoy having them come out and sharing what we know about Melbourne and Victoria with them.

“By sharing it with youth from all over the world, we can help broaden people’s view on the world in general and places like Australia which are so welcoming to so many different nations.”