Student Exchange – A Fabulous Experience

Packet_of_Original_Tim_TamsAlexander Dimitrakopoulos is on a student exchange at Carey Grammar Scjool in Melbourne, Australia. Here’s a copy of the speech that he gave at a recent student assembly.

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To me being an exchange student has been the greatest thing I have ever done.

Here at Carey the environment is great: the people, the facilities, and the fact that you walk outside from class to class. At my school, Lower Canada College, we have to walk indoors all day, but I guess it’s for the better in the cold.

Life here is quite different than over there. For example the environment, the people, the accents, and the weird sports, are all very big changes for me but coming to live here for six weeks has been marvelous so far. Of course it takes a lot of work but it was definitely worth it. Meeting new people and living in a different place is a wonderful experience and I suggest you all apply.

Since Montreal is in Quebec–the French speaking part of Canada–Paddy better work on his French, “parce que la moitié des classes sont en français.”

During my stay here I have been to many great places. I have been to the MCG to go see a cricket match, Philip Island to see the fairy penguins and to surf at the beach, and on a 50km bike ride around Melbourne. I have also learned how to play new sports like cricket and footy, which are completely confusing.

Another thing I have very much enjoyed here is the food. Fish and chips, meat pies, sausage rolls, Tim Tams and lamingtons are all foods that are impossible to find in Canada and I will miss them along with everything else here.

In the weeks to come I am looking forward to going to the zoo with the other exchanges, spending time in the sun and being with friends and my new family.

I would like to thank Patrick Quay and his family for taking care of me while I have been here. I would also like to thank everybody at Carey for welcoming me and for making my stay here so much fun. I will be very sad to leave in two weeks and hope to make the best of my time left. –Alexander Dimitrakopoulos ’15

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