Pupil tells of her four weeks in Germany

VICTORIA Girls' High School pupil Danielle Walker has recently returned home from an FSA Youth Exchange programme overseas after being selected as top candidate for the Eastern Cape.

Not only were Danielle's marks top notch but she was granted the golden opportunity to explore Germany.

The Grade 10 pupil was selected at the end of Grade 9 – quite an unusual accolade – because of her mark of 81%. She was 18th in the country and first in the Eastern Cape.

"It has been an utterly amazing experience to see a beautiful country with beautiful sights and amazing people. I learnt so much, like being strong and independent," Danielle said. "I also learnt how to adapt to different situations and respect people's beliefs and cultures."

Not only does Walker shine academically, she participates in first team swimming and under-16 hockey. She also has a level three first aid qualification from St John Ambulance.

"The programme gave me the chance to grow culturally and mentally. While in Germany, I was extremely lucky to have such a loving host family who were willing to go out of their way for me to see the wonderful country and experience as much as possible in four weeks,' she said.

The programme runs each year and stringent application and interview processes are used.

Teacher Nadia CzeredreckiSchmidt said this opportunity and exposure Danielle had experienced would definitely open doors for her, but in an indirect fashion.

"She has grown in confidence and realised that she can cope in a foreign country. She has experienced more of the real world and can draw on this as she proceeds through school," the teacher said. – Chanice Koopman