Andrè Christiansen of Denmark found a lifelong passion for international cooperation during a formative year at Greleey West High School as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
Today, Christiansen serves as an attaché and counselor at the permanent representation of Denmark to the 27-member state European Union. Based in Brussels, Belgium, he covers internal trade, competition and corporate law to accomplish the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU’s motto: “A strong Europe in a changing world.”
His stint in Greeley shaped his successful diplomatic career, all thanks to the Greeley Rotary Club. The club continues to welcome exceptional students for a full academic year, where they live with multiple host families and attend local schools, like Christiansen did back in 2003-24.
Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries sponsor exchanges for students between the ages of 15-19 to help youth learn a new language, discover another culture and become global citizens, according to the Rotary International website.
“I am truly forever grateful for you hosting me here 22 years ago,” Christiansen said during a presentation at the Aug. 13 club meeting. “It really set me on the path I am today, and I am so grateful that you continue to do this.”
Andrè Christiansen of Denmark, a former Rotary Youth Exchange Program student who attended Greeley West High School in 2003-24, spoke at a recent Greeley Rotary Club meeting. (Greeley Rotary Club/Courtesy)At the meeting, Christiansen shared some inspiration and guidance to the next generation of exchange students and host families. In the passing of the torch moment, Rotary member Brenda Campos-Spitze, a Greeley-Evans District 6 Board of Education director and physician at Sunrise Community Health, formally introduced the newest addition to her family of four: 16-year-old Romane of France.
Romane, who’s new to the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, attends Greeley Central High School, where she is already finding her footing in American culture and learning about the benefits of cross-cultural exchange.
‘Cultural exchange is valuable’
In college, Campos-Spitze and her husband experienced life as exchange students together in Costa Rica. The joint venture led to an interest in one day becoming host parents. Once the timing felt right with their two young children, they completed the program’s application process in a week to welcome Romane into their home this school year.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is more competitive than other exchange programs are selected based on merit, not money, making the applicant pool more diverse when it comes to socioeconomic status, according to Campos-Spitze. Exchange candidates are leaders in their schools and community, eliminating any concerns that host families may have about managing behavior issues.
Rotary Youth Exchange students are required to refrain from the “four Ds” when they arrive to their host destination: no drinking, no dating, no driving and no drugs. The young leaders must also maintain a “C” letter grade or higher in their classes during their stay.
Unlike other exchange programs, the Rotary Youth Exchange Program divides the year-long hosting experience between three families. Campos-Spitze feels this unique option gives families a reasonable “introduction” into hosting.
Although Romane’s next host home is unknown, as they search for another family to place her with, Campos-Spitze’s family has quickly grown connected to their student and looks forward to their time together, however long it may be.
Even in a few weeks, the experience has been “eye-opening” and “valuable” for both sides.
Campos-Spitze’s two children get to learn about another culture beyond the United States border, helping them evolve into global citizens. Opening their home to a person who doesn’t speak their language has also created empathy and patience as Romane works to improve her language skills.
“It happens in such an organic way,” Campos-Spitze said. “It is really beautiful. It’s completely different than traveling to another country where you’re a tourist … but you don’t necessarily get to know intimate details of what it is to be a person living in that other country.”
Romane has also begun her process to become fully immersed in American culture, following in her mother’s footsteps, who spent a year of high school in Texas as a foreign exchange student. Greeley has become the perfect place for Romane to witness the different points of view and backgrounds in the U.S.
As a Rotary requirement, she has to dive deeper into the nation’s culture by taking U.S. government and history courses. However, just seeing the diversity inside Greeley Central’s hallways, especially compared to her small town in France, has led to interesting conversations about the history of Greeley in her new household, Campos-Spitze said.
“Cultural exchange is valuable,” Campos-Spitze said. “Exchange programs in general are a form of diplomacy. I think her parents are hoping for this rich cultural immersion and a broadening of her worldviews, and a broadening of our worldviews.”
Campos-Spitze said Romane has already approached her cultural exchange with an open-minded attitude and a willingness to try and experience new things based on her mother’s advice to always say “yes.”
She has seen her first professional soccer game, plans to step out of her comfort zone to give camping a try and found a potential new passion for becoming a cheerleader after experiencing a Greeley Central assembly.
For more information on the Greeley Centennial Rotary, go to greeleycentennialrotary.org.
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