ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9601020132
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE STAFF WRITER
The unfamiliar sound of an Australian accent wishing a student "good day, mate" made 16-year-old Kate Lollback a curiosity in the hallways and cafeteria at Christiansburg High School earlier this month.
Lollback is one of three Australian teen-agers visiting Blacksburg and Christiansburg families through the holiday season this year as part of an exchange program sponsored locally by the Blacksburg Rotary Club.
Lollback, Robyn Byrnes, 15, and Hayley Whitten, 15, arrived in the United States Nov. 22 from Tamworth in New South Wales, Australia, representing the city's First Light Rotary Club.
In exchange, three Montgomery County students will spend six to seven weeks this summer visiting families in Tamworth.
And if the local students worry about feeling homesick down under, not to worry. The three Aussie teen-agers boast that Tamworth is best known as Australia's country music capital.
The three visiting students will stay through Friday. Since our winter is Australia's summer, the three are on summer break.
"I'm enjoying my stay. I'm learning to be more confident and to adapt to a new culture," said Lollback. "It's hard to believe that we've come half way around the world, though. It seems like we're just on holiday somewhere close to home."
During her visit to Christiansburg High, she tried out the new block scheduling and its longer classes. "I am used to six classes that last 55 minutes each. Classes that last an hour and a half were a bit too long for me. It seems to me that Australian schools put a little more pressure on students for high marks."
She was surprised at the similarities between American and Australian teen-agers. "We listen to the same music and have a lot of the same interests and concerns. Australian students wear uniforms to school, but outside of class, we dress the same."
David Reemsnyder, a Blacksburg real estate executive who is coordinating the visit for the Rotary Club, said that participants learn a great deal and enjoy the experience.
"The Australian students always take an extra suitcase back home filled with new sneakers and blue jeans. It seems our prices are a bargain," said Reemsnyder.
"I've found Americans to be very friendly and confident. They have no qualms about coming up to you and asking questions about Australia. People always want to hear my accent," said Lollback.
The exchange program is in its second year. Families of Rotary members John Newcomb of Blacksburg and Doug Smartt and Ray Thor of Christiansburg provided a home away from home for the students.
Montgomery County students interested in visiting Australia who are outgoing, friendly and able to be good ambassadors can apply for the next exchange. Students will be selected in the spring.
For information on the Rotary Youth Exchange, call David Reemsnyder at 951-2735.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: GENE DALTON/Staff. (Seated) Robin Byrnes, 15, Kateby CNBLollback, 17, and (standing) Hayley Whiten, 15, all from New South
Wales, Australia, are visiting Blacksburg and Christiansburg through
Friday. color.