SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
When 16-year-old Lynna Kuo decided to apply for an exchange program from her native Taiwan, she hoped she would be spending the winter on a beach in Brazil.

Bethany Giovanetto, left, Lynna Kuo, and Norma Giovanetto pose in front of the family Christmas tree at the Giovanetto home on Dec. 10. Kuo is on an exchange program through the Rotary Club and will be celebrating her first ever Christmas in Yellowknife this year. - photo courtesy of Norma Giovanetto

Instead, Kuo ended up coming to Yellowknife through an exchange program organized by the Rotary Club.

Kuo said even though Canada was listed as only her second choice of country on her application, she is loving her experience here even if it is a little colder than she expected.

“I am getting used to snow,” joked Kuo, who pointed out that it is currently 20 C in her hometown of Taipei.

Kuo is currently in enrolled in Grade 11 at Sir John Franklin High School, where she is taking mostly arts courses to help improve her English.

Kuo said the many friends she has made at school have also been very helpful.

While she is taught English in Taipei, the Taiwanese educational system focuses on reading rather than speaking.

City councillor Dan Wong, a Rotary Club member, said he can sympathize with what Kuo is going through. He remembers going on exchange to Germany at the age of 16 and not being able to understand the language.

“Not understanding what people are saying can be scary,” said Wong.

Although the experience was daunting at first, it was ultimately one of the most rewarding things he ever did, he said.

“Adaptation is an important skill,” said Wong. “You really learn when you're put outside you're comfort zone.”

Kuo said one of the best things about going to school in Yellowknife is the fact that she can take part in so many extracurricular activities, including basketball, dance and music.

In Taiwan, Kuo goes to school from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and must write a test every morning before class starts.

Kuo said because of her workload, there is little opportunity for her to engage in extracurricular activities at home.

“We study very hard in Taiwan,” she said.“We have a hard country.”

Norma Giovanetto is currently hosting Kuo, with three other families scheduled to share the duties during her stay. Giovanetto said Kuo has been a welcome addition to the family.

“She is the least picky eater in the house,” said Giovanetto.

Indeed, since coming to Yellowknife in September, Kuo has embraced lots of new experiences, from seeing the Northern Lights to dressing up as a witch for her first ever celebration of Halloween.

Kuo is now getting excited to celebrate her first ever Christmas with Giovanetto and her family.

As part of the exchange, the Rotary Club sends a student from Yellowknife to another international Rotary Club chapter. This year, Giovanetto's daughter was selected to go on exchange to Belgium.

Giovanetto said her daughter is enjoying her time abroad and is currently learning Flemish. Although she will be spending her first Christmas away from home, Giovanetto said she is happy that Kuo will be spending the holidays with her family.

“We wanted to have her here over Christmas,” said Giovanetto.

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