Author: Madeleine Winnett

I was an Australian Rotary Youth Exchange student and lived in Germany for 12 months during 2014/2015. I am currently an undergraduate University student studying a double degree in International Security Studies and Languages. I am undertaking a University exchange in Germany during 2018. I have an ongoing fascination with languages and dream daily of globetrotting and speaking multiple languages. I have a keen interest in photography and look forward to learning the art through experimentation, while documenting my time abroad. I was first taught to sew by my Grandmother, and haven't stopped making my own clothes since!

Two Thousand and Fourteen

There are many various adjectives which I could use to describe the past year, but I’m at a loss. There is simply no way that I could begin to accurately describe the year that has been, and all that has taken place and then changed in a thousand different ways. I am speechless. All I… Read More Two Thousand and Fourteen

2 January 20153 January 2017 Madeleine Winnett3 Comments

Wattwandern

Along the entire west coast of Germany lies an area known as the Wattenmeer. This is a section of the North Sea where the North Frisian Islands are located and is subject everyday to extreme tides. Every six hours the sea water moves away from the coast leaving long stretches of mud flats behind. A… Read More Wattwandern

10 November 20143 January 2017 Madeleine Winnett1 Comment

Hamburg Tag

Last weekend the German rebound exchange students (Rotex) organised a ‘Hamburg Tag’ for all the Inbounds as a way for the newbies to see the city. Hamburg is a stunning city and the second largest city in Germany, after Berlin, and is located just 2 hours south of Flensburg by train. We left Flensburg at 7am… Read More Hamburg Tag

6 November 20143 January 2017 Madeleine WinnettLeave a comment

Kopenhagen

I recently traveled to Copenhagen during the Autumn school holidays and visited a fellow outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student also sponsored by my Rotary District 9710 in Australia. We met each other at both Outbound orientations in Australia and she has been living in Copenhagen as an exchange student since January. I took the opportunity… Read More Kopenhagen

5 November 20145 November 2014 Madeleine WinnettLeave a comment

A Tribute to Grandad

My beloved Grandfather has recently passed away, while I have been living abroad as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Germany. I composed the following tribute, which was delivered at his funeral service by my brother, Campbell. Grandad, you are loved dearly by all and there are many things which I will always fondly remember… Read More A Tribute to Grandad

2 November 20142 November 2014 Madeleine Winnett1 Comment

Oktoberfest!

I was lucky enough during the first weekend of October to visit the world famous Oktoberfest in Munich! The trip was organised by my Rotary District for just a select few exchange students and took place over the German Reunification long weekend. I met with 20 Rotary Youth Exchange students at 6am in southern Hamburg,… Read More Oktoberfest!

6 October 20143 January 2017 Madeleine Winnett1 Comment

Second Orientation

During the weekend I attended my host Rotary District’s Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Orientation. This was my second Orientation weekend since attending my first Orientation weekend in March. This weekend marked my 8 months in Germany as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Now I’m an ‘Oldie’, so to speak, as I have been living in Germany… Read More Second Orientation

24 September 201425 September 2014 Madeleine Winnett2 Comments