Two days later, Vitor Rissatti from Guarulhos in Brazil made his landing.<\/p>\n
The two young boys are taking part in a Rotary Youth Exchange Programme run by Rotary International.<\/p>
\u201cAnnually Rotary International sends 9 000 learners from different countries around the world in the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme,\u201d said Gerhard Stocker, the country coordinator at the Germiston Rotary Club.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe in South Africa participate in two different programmes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is the short-term, family-to-family exchange, where your child goes to a family in another country and that family\u2019s child is scheduled to stay at your house for six weeks each.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other is the long-term school programme where learners move to a country for a year for schooling and other activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luis and Vitor are currently involved in the 12-month schooling programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come from a small town and when I arrived here the tall buildings caught my attention because I am not used to seeing such tall buildings,\u201d said Luis.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had spent three hours on a plane from my home town to Atlanta, USA, five hours waiting on my flight to SA and 16 hours flying.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first night was scary, but it was all worth it, this country is worth the long flights.\u201d<\/p>\n The Portuguese and Spanish speaking lads had to learn the common language, English, a daunting exercise apparently, but five months into their stay they have made huge strides in that aspect.<\/p>\n Apart from their accents, the two now sound like locals using words like \u2018braai\u2019 and \u2018lekker\u2019 in their expressions.<\/p>\n \u201cThis country is made up of many languages and cultures,\u201d said Vitor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I arrived, the cars, roads and traffic reminded me of home, but one thing shocked me.<\/p>\n \u201cI had initially thought South Africans and Brazilians were akin folk until I saw people here eating pizza with their hands.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is in my blood as a Brazilian not to eat pizza with my hands, we use a fork and knife.\u201d<\/p>\n Luis, on the other hand, had been enjoying his stay until he tasted the local version of tacos, which fell flat on his palate, making him miss home, where they make tortillas with corn.<\/p>\n \u201cThough I miss spicy food and tacos, I must say boerewors is the best thing I have had,\u201d said Luis.<\/p>\n \u201cI love it, chakalaka and the act of braaing.\u201d<\/p>\n Another shock for Luis was noticing the steering wheel on the right-hand side of the vehicle and that his host country drives on the \u2018other side\u2019 of the road.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that there are a lot of languages spoken here was a lovely surprise, in Mexico we mainly speak Spanish, there are other dialects, but not a lot of people speak them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Luis is currently a learner at Afrikaanse Ho\u00ebrskool Germiston and Vitor attends Ho\u00ebrskool Marais Viljoen High School, in Alberton.<\/p>\n In addition to learning about the cultural and educational differences, the learners were introduced to sport and for Luis, rugby is now part of his interests.<\/p>\n \u201cI have not played it yet, but it is fascinating to watch,\u201d said Luis.<\/p>\n Vitor is interested in the arts and culture activities and said he missed the Model United Nations, an extramural activity he participated in back at home.<\/p>\n \u201cI have searched for it locally and I don\u2019t think it exists in this town.<\/p>\n \u201cRight before I came here, I attended a Model United Nations event, the theme was African United Nations,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMy country was Algeria and my best friend\u2019s was South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had to defend the interests of our countries and by studying together I learnt a great deal about South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cIn hindsight that exercise equipped me for my travels to this land.\u201d<\/p>\n According to Gerhard, the objective of this exchange programme is to create goodwill among different countries and cultures, make friends, get involved in community projects and learn new languages.<\/p>\n Vitor advocated for the programme, stating that South Africa was a great choice and every day he ponders on how two countries can be so similar and yet so different.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough this programme, I am gaining independence from my parents. Learning all these new things has added to my confidence,\u201d said Vitor.<\/p>\n Luis is amazed at the warmth he has received and remains excited to hear a number of languages daily.<\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/02\/08GCNGENERALEXCH_40958-520x390.jpg\")
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