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Rotary Youth Exchange
When I was 16 I was selected for a Rotary Youth Exchange scholarship to represent my Rotary District in Northern Ontario. This was a cultural and language exchange and they sent me to spend one year in Switzerland. Over the course of they year I got to live with three host families that showed me different ways of life in Switzerland. I learned German in 6 months which allowed me to communicate with locals while I travelled around and experienced the wonderful country.
The Island of Aegina
The island of Aegina is a great destination for a day trip from Athens. We took a ferry that was about an hour each way. The island is...
Hannah Bywater
Apr 27, 20171 min read
Singing my Way to Greece
At the beginning of the school year I joined the choir. I would love to tell you that I joined for my love of singing but I would be...
Hannah Bywater
Apr 26, 20173 min read
Moving in with the Bouverat's
A question that I get asked often is why I keep changing host families. I just want to clarify that it is not due to problems with my...
Hannah Bywater
Apr 16, 20173 min read
Zermatt Unplugged
Zermatt Unplugged is this super fun music festival that happens in the village every year. This year was the 10th anniversary for Zermatt...
Hannah Bywater
Apr 11, 20171 min read
B1 German Test ☑
Since arriving to Switzerland in August I have been learning German. I have had my challenges with it but for the most part it has been...
Hannah Bywater
Mar 28, 20171 min read
Full Moon Snowshoeing up Schwarzsee
I have had such amazing experiences here in Schwarzsee. There is no limit to the fun that can be had here. This week I went on a full...
Hannah Bywater
Mar 10, 20171 min read
Fasnacht in Basel
Fasnacht is still going on and this one in Basel is not one to miss out on. Not only is it known to be the largest celebrated Fasnacht...
Hannah Bywater
Mar 8, 20172 min read
Living my Best Life in Zermatt
Zermatt has officially become my favourite place in Switzerland. The skiing alone has made my time here so special but I have also had...
Hannah Bywater
Mar 6, 20172 min read
Fastnacht in Plaffeien
Fastnacht is Switzerland's biggest carnival. It consists of weeks worth of huge parties across the entire country. You can be in the big...
Hannah Bywater
Feb 25, 20171 min read
FIS Alpine World Ski Championships
I had this amazing opportunity to go to St. Moritz with my host dad to watch the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. We woke up at...
Hannah Bywater
Feb 17, 20171 min read
Visiting Cheese & Chocolate Factories
This weekend was pretty rainy so we decided it would be good to take a weekend off of skiing. Instead we visited cheese and chocolate...
Hannah Bywater
Feb 6, 20171 min read
Skiing All Over
So far the ski season has been action packed! I have been skiing all over the map. I had a great time in Port du Soleil with the...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 22, 20171 min read
Moving in With The Fasel's
It has been one week since I moved in with the Fasel's and so far, so great! We have been having a lot of fun! I moved in on Friday and...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 21, 20172 min read
Leaving my Alarm Clock(s)
The time has come for me to change host families. I cannot believe that 6 months have already gone by. Where has the time gone?? I think...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 14, 20172 min read
Night Lights
This time of year is full of fun festivities here in Switzerland. Over the last month I have gone to a few light shows. One was in Bern...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 14, 20171 min read
Skiing in Port du Soleil
In less than a one month I have skied in 3 different countries. Just a few weekends ago I was in Zermatt skiing between the Swiss and...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 8, 20171 min read
From a Newbie to an Oldie
In the world of student exchange we have these terms Newbies and Oldies. A newbie is a new exchange student. Someone who is fresh off the...
Hannah Bywater
Jan 7, 20171 min read
Luzern, Switzerland
Another canton to check off my bucket list! The city of Luzern is about 2 hours away from Fribourg. One afternoon my host parents decided...
Hannah Bywater
Dec 30, 20161 min read
Christmas in Switzerland
Fröhliche Weihnachten/Merry Christmas! Christmas in Switzerland was nothing but festive. I have been going to a lot of Christmas markets...
Hannah Bywater
Dec 26, 20162 min read
Skiing in Zermatt
I just had such a great long weekend with my soon to be host family. They have an apartment in Zermatt and they took me skiing for a long...
Hannah Bywater
Dec 11, 20162 min read
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