mmg.com.au

FCJ College student Morgan Nunan is settling back into life in Benalla after returning from a 12-month exchange to Denmark.

The 17-year-old departed our shores on January 21, 2012 as part of a Rotary exchange program, and after spending just under a year in Skagen, Denmark, returned to begin Year 11 at FCJ College this year.

Ms Nunan’s interest in Denmark began when Australia’s Mary Donaldson became Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, but it was not until Ms Nunan began her hairdressing apprenticeship that the idea of travelling there began to form. The daughter of her hairdressing teacher had completed an exchange through Benalla Rotary, and after attending a Rotary meeting with her teacher, Ms Nunan knew she wanted to go too.

An online application and two interviews later and Ms Nunan was heading to Denmark.

‘‘I was lucky enough to get my first choice,’’ Ms Nunan said.

Living with three different host families — all affiliates of Rotary International — was challenging at times, but Ms Nunan said it gave her the opportunity to develop close relationships with her host parents and host sisters.

‘‘It was quite a big change, and quite a lot to adjust to,’’ Ms Nunan said.

During her stay Ms Nunan attended school, and quickly adjusted to the 45-minute early morning train trip.

During the year she travelled throughout Denmark and Europe, doing an 18-day Eurotour through seven countries, and travelling across the country with fellow Rotary exchange students.

Ms Nunan said Denmark was a very popular country for Rotary exchange students, with about 150 students arriving in the ‘summer team’ in August, and a further 50 arriving in Ms Nunan’s ‘winter team’.

While Ms Nunan said some of the best aspects of the exchange were the friendships she made and the places she visited, there was one moment that stuck in her mind above all else.

‘‘The first day when it fully snowed, the ground was covered in a big white blanket,’’ she said. ‘‘It was the first time I’d seen snow falling from the sky.’’

Ms Nunan said personal development was an added benefit of her exchange.

‘‘My own self-confidence and maturity (have grown), and my confidence to do things on my own.’’

Ms Nunan said she used to have lower expectations of herself, but with new-found confidence she plans to study a Bachelor of Early Childhood and further studies in working with children with disabilities at university.

But first, she wants to see the world.

‘‘All I want to do now is just travel,’’ she said. ‘‘I’d definitely (recommend it) to anyone.’’