Rediscovering Sydney with Rotary Youth Exchange - by club member and Past Rotary International Director Jessie Harman.
There’s nothing better than seeing your country through the eyes of a Rotary Youth Exchange student. And Sydney was in sight to behold when Merle, Delfi and I visited from 15th-17th December, 2025.
We had a great three days. We saw the iconic sights; the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and The Rocks, and we watched the sun set over Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macarthur’s Chair in the Rotary Botanic Gardens.
We took ferries up the Paramatta River and to Manley Beach for swimming, and the light rail to Coogee Beach to swim some more. We visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales, St Mary’s Cathedral and the Christmas markets at Circular Quay, and we walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to see the view from the other side.
And the highlights? I suspect the girls would say it was the chance to see some of Sydney’s must-see sights, find Argentinian foods in a Randwick food store, or eat the world’s second- best ice cream (daily). For me? Definitely the opportunity to spend time with two engaging young women, be reminded of Sydney’s beauty, and somehow walk 62,309 steps without even noticing!
Our time in Sydney was a wonderful reminder of the richness of Rotary Youth Exchange - not just for the students who come to Australia, but for those of us lucky enough to share the journey with them.
