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The Journey of A Cambodian Exchange Student in New Zealand

12/12/2017

 
by Ellen Yule


It's 9,110km from Cambodia to Aotearoa.

It's 331 days of studying, travelling and living in New Zealand...

From simple communication of YES or NO to school academic awards

From an orphanage to kiwi homestay (mum, dad, kids and pets)

From rice noodles to kiwi kai

From misunderstanding to weekly presentation in English

From community meetings to beach cleaning 

From sausage fundraising to completion of 52-week wish list 


From Cape Reinga, Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Nelson to Queenstown

From an alone teenager to two dozens of international friends 

From shy-away tears to loudly laughter

From cultural shock to cultural enriching

Returning home with dreams for the future
...going to university
...studying tourism
...getting a job in tourism 
...coming back to New Zealand one day

This is Lily Lay, a 16-year-old Cambodian student's journey with Rotary International Youth Exchange Programme. This is what I've witnessed as her second counselor. 

It takes a village to raise a child. 
It takes two Rotary clubs to raise an adolescent. (Well done, East Coast Bay and Takapuna Rotarian!)

Best wishes for Lily's future journey - your Boarding Pass to Mars in May 2018 is ready. :)


    Author

    At 2WAYS, Amelia (Catalan New Zealander) and Ellen(Chinese Kiwi) are creators and directors for educational cultural culinary luxury holiday tours in New Zealand and Spain since 2002.

    ​P.S. the 100% photos on this website are captured by Ellen and Amelia with love.

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2WAYS, based in Auckland, guides and inspires purpose-driven travellers to 
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