“The year I lived in Japan changed my life”

Tamborine Mountain State High School student, Ruby Vaars, participated in Rotary Youth Exchange to Gifu, Japan in 2019.

The rural prefecture of Gifu has been a well-trodden path for Beaudesert students keen to experience the wonders outside of the 4285 postcode since the 1970s.

Ruby was placed in Tajimi-city, went to the local high school and had four host families across the 12 months.

“The bonds I formed with my friends at my host school and the relationships I created with my host families is something so special and precious to have,” Ms Vaars said.

“I had one of the most amazing experiences and really adopted the culture and language.

After her exchange, Ruby studied a Bachelor of International Relations (Japanese) at the University of Queensland. She is now living in Dubai as an Emirates flight attendant and flies to Japan regularly as part of her job.

“Rotary Youth Exchange is the reason I’ve been so successful in my professional career. I can’t thank the Rotary Club of Beaudesert enough for the opportunity,” Ruby said.

If you’re interested in applying for the 2025 Rotary Youth Exchange please get in touch with us or learn more here.