Since August 2019, Gertrud Koehler has stayed in Orange as part of her high school exchange program.
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Originally from Germany, the 16-year-old has enjoyed the experience of living in regional New South Wales but had different expectations of the weather.
"I expected Australia to be warmer in summer and it definitely doesn't get as cold in the winter as it does in Germany," she said.
"Everything is so green and that makes me really happy. For a small regional town, it is bigger than my city back in Germany."
In the last nine months Miss Koehler has made heaps of friends and started year 11 studies.
"When I started at Orange High School, a lot of people were asking me questions about what Germany is like. People are very open and friendly and I was able to make friends quickly," she said.
"I'm currently studying chemistry, engineering, physics, maths, and English and French via distance.
"My dream is to work on the Large Hadron Collider or as an engineer, I'm really passionate about science."
Living more than 14,000 kilometres away from home and her family, she said she keeps in contact with them regularly and her host family takes good care of her.
"I keep in touch with my German school by email to let them know how my studies are going and if I need any help. I talk to my parents every fortnight and tell them everything that is going on," Miss Koehler said.
"The rotary program organised my accommodation and I bounced between three host families in nine months of being here before my friend from school and her family took me in.
"I've been getting along with them very well, we have been going out for regular walks and exercise."
With level four travel restrictions in place during the coronavirus pandemic, she is unsure when she will return back to Germany.
"I'm looking forward to going home to be with my family and friends," Miss Koehler said.
"Although it will be different because the school I go to has nearly 1,700 students and everyone is studying and working from home to combat the virus.
"I have to send an application to extend my visa to stay in Australia as I was anticipated to return to Germany on July 9."
Miss Koehler hopes to return to Orange after she finishes her high school studies to be with her friends.
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