After the adventure of a lifetime, Portage's own Rotary Club exchange student has returned home with an abundance of wonderful memories.

Emily Davidson spent the last eleven months in Joensuu, Finland, and says the experience allowed her to grow as a person.

"I've learned a lot about myself and about the world. I think that I've really broadened my horizons," Davidson explains, adding it's something she will always cherish.

With the new experiences, however, came new challenges. Davidson says one such challenge came with attending a new school.

"Starting at a new school, in Finland, was really hard for me," explains Davidson. "But once I got used to it, it was a lot of fun because I got to meet so many new people. I found out that there were three other exchange students in my school and then another one transferred in. So, there were five of us in one school and it was really great."

One of the big differences that Davidson noticed between Finland and Canada was the way they celebrate Christmas.

"There, they have Santa come to your house in the evening. Like a person is dressed as Santa and he comes to your house and he gives the kids presents. Then you open the presents on the evening of the 24th and then they have a big Christmas dinner on the 25th," explains Davidson, adding it was very interesting to experience.

There were also many highlights to her time in Finland, Davidson notes, including visits to the national parks, a 16 day tour of Europe, berry picking in the fall and an excursion to Lapland where she saw reindeer and rode in a dogsled. She adds another experience she enjoyed was wanhojentanssit, which means 'the old dances'.

"The second years of high school, they practice traditional dances, like waltzes and the tango, and we all got to participate in that. So I got to learn all these old school dances. Then I had to find a partner because girls ask boys there. Thankfully, I got to dance with a friend, so it wasn't awkward," laughs Davidson. "I got to wear a really pretty dress and had a super fun time! So that was great."

Davidson notes she'd like to thank the Portage Rotary Club and Joensuun Etaläinen, the rotary club in Joensuu, for sponsoring her and giving her an unforgettable experience. She adds she'd recommend an exchange to everyone, whether it be a year-long exchange or one for the summer.

"It's just so worth it!" exclaims Davidson. "You learn so much and you get to see so much! The experiences that I lived, I'll never, ever, ever forget them."