Grissel Anderson, Hayley’s Host Cara Keys, Shepherdstown Rotary President Terry Anderson and Hayley at a Rotary Meeting. Photo: Supplied.

Hayley Chesworth has returned home after spending 12 months in the United States of America as a part of the Rotary Youth Exchange program.

Hayley was based on the east side of West Virginia and wasn’t too far away from Washington D.C.

While in the US Hayley attended high school and said that attending school was very different, as it had a cafeteria, lockers and no school uniform which was an adjustment for her.

Everything else was almost the same as schooling in Australia but Hayley believes it was those certain things that made schooling so much different.

While attending school, Hayley got to attend a smaller scale prom due to COVID.

While on exchange Hayley met a lot of people, even making friends with six others who were on exchange as well.

Hayley said the hardest part about leaving her family was that she couldn’t be as dependent on them as she would be back home.

When asked about what was the most exciting part on going on exchange Hayley said “Definitely the experience of being in another country and experiencing how they live.”

A highlight of Hayley’s trip was being able to go sight seeing. “I was fortunate enough to see some beautiful places.

I got to go and see New York for a week and explore the city. It is honestly breath taking.” COVID unfortunately reduced the opportunities that Hayley got to experience but she made the most of her time there.

Hayley was due to come home in June of 2020 but stayed until January 2021 with the rotary club in America, Hayley’s family and host family were all happy for her to stay despite the COVID situation in the US.

Towards the end of her exchange, she was the last exchange student on the East Coast.

Hayley became a candidate for the exchange after being approached by one of her friends from school who was looking for people who may be interested in going on exchange.

Hayley’s advice to anyone thinking about going on exchange is “Do it, it is a once in a lifetime experience. You will never get another opportunity like it.”

Hayley would like to thank the Rotary club, her parents and anyone involved for helping her get to the US for the opportunity.

Tahlia Crane