Youth Exchange Program
Timéo Gijbels, is a Rotary Youth Exchange student sponsored by Rockford Rotary this year. He is from a small village, Liberchies, in Belgium, in the northern suburbs of Charleroi and an hour south of Brussels. He has a younger sister, and his parents are both teachers specializing in science and geography.
Timeo is a responsible, mature, adaptable and ambitious person who enjoys acquiring new knowledge and is always seeking new challenges. In high school he chose the math/science option because he has always been passionate about science and the animal world. He plans to study veterinary medicine after his exchange year.
His hobbies are sports and music. He plays basketball and is a runner. He completed a half marathon this year and is currently on the Harlem High School cross country team. He also plays the piano and drums.
He decided to become an exchange student to improve his English since it is crucial in scientific literature. He is also using this opportunity to learn a different culture and see more of the world.
Leandro Tarragona and Maricel Colman are doing a great job at being Timéo’s host parents while their daughter, Mili, is an exchange student in Italy this year.
This will also be an excellent opportunity to get to know Timéo.
Paul VonDriska, our YEO, will introduce Timéo and act as Rotary Host.