She is Rotary’s first youth exchange participant in more than two years — with the program having been suspended because of the pandemic.
A Rotary Club of Benalla spokesperson said it was delighted to welcome Ms Klaus, who had come all the way from from Zabakuck in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.
“She joins a long list of exchange students who have been welcomed to Benalla since our first one back in 1968,” the spokesperson said.
“Since then, our club has been extremely active in the Rotary Youth Exchange program and have enjoyed hosting students from 10 different countries, including Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Germany, Denmark, France, Spain and Italy.
“Lotta’s father works in Berlin and her mother is a school principal. She is the youngest of three girls who make up the rest of the family.
“Whilst she is here her family is hosting an exchange student from Mexico.”
Ms Klaus is attending FCJ College where she is in Year 10.
When asked about differences between school here and in Germany, she said the biggest thing was here teachers took a real interest in the individual and offered a lot of help and encouragement.
“She was exposed to the excitement that is AFL football when she went to the qualifying final between Melbourne and Sydney at the MCG last Friday night,” the spokesperson said.
“Being in the company of her host family, who are Melbourne supporters, and Benalla Rotarian Bruce McIntyre, a Sydney supporter, made for a very interesting evening.”
Her host family, the Morrisons, gave her a Melbourne scarf to wear, but Mr McIntyre thought she should have taken the Swans scarf he offered.
“She reckons AFL is fast, very enjoyable, but hard to understand,” the spokesperson said.
When asked about her activities outside of school she listed volleyball, kayaking, reading and gardening as the pursuits she most enjoyed.
While in Benalla Ms Klaus will be hosted by three families.
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