While she has experience moving to new places, Mia Beetham-Outingdyke is in unfamiliar territory regarding her upcoming travel year.

She has been selected as one of two students to be in the Rotary Club of Portage la Prairie's exchange student program and says she actually has no clue where the club will be sending her, which is making her a little anxious, but still excited. She's hoping to go to Italy, France, Germany, Brazil or Thailand.

"I think I'm kind of worried about missing my family," explains Beetham-Outingdyke. "Whenever I come home from school, I talk to my mom, so hopefully, it goes well, and I have someone to talk to."

She's glad to have her phone, at least, so she'll always have a quick way to reach her family if she's ever feeling homesick. She says she's also looking forward to escaping the cold for a little bit if she can.

"My aunt went on an exchange program," says Beetham-Outingdyke. "I saw really a lot of stuff online about it. I saw how it was really good, and people made lifelong friends, so hopefully, that can happen to me."

Beetham-Outingdyke is excited to experience a new culture, which is something she's already experienced since she moved to Portage la Prairie after living in England. She's excited to see how other people live their day-to-day lives and their language.

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