From Proserpine to Prague

Andrew Willcox MP and Eli Wallis. Photo supplied: Andrew Willcox

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Proserpine teenager Eli Wallis is swapping his familiar school run for the cobbled streets of Prague, during a three month adventure on his first overseas trip without his family.

The 15-year-old Proserpine State High School student will travel through Rotary Youth Exchange, staying with a host family and attending school in the Czech Republic capital.  

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“[Prague] is one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Eli said.

“If you look it up, you’ll see the most beautiful things ever.”  

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Eli is already a seasoned traveller, with Japan, Canada, the United States and several Pacific islands among the destinations he’s explored with his family. However, this time, he’ll be heading overseas without them. It’s a challenge he’s ready to embrace.

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“Mum and dad have always believed that there’s such a big wide world out there that I should be able to see, and I just love seeing it,” Eli said.

“I love getting out of my comfort zone, trying new things.”

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There will be plenty of opportunities to do just that, with his host family planning trips to Switzerland and Austria, while Eli is also organising a Paris visit with friends.

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Living with a Czech family means experiencing a new culture firsthand, from a different school routine to navigating a public transport network a little more complicated than his usual lift to school with Mum.

“My host brother takes the public transport to school and all that. He takes, like, four different trains or something,” Eli said.

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“Having to rely on public transport to get everywhere by myself would be very, very different.”

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Eli will also have his school community cheering him on, with Proserpine State High School’s principal Don McDermid confident he will make the most of the opportunity and encourage others to follow.

“I think Eli is just going to be an amazing representative,” Mr McDermid said.

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“I’m sure that he’ll once again open up those pathways for other students as well.”

“I think these opportunities just absolutely add so much to a young person, and am glad that we have the option and that we have the support of organisations that make this happen.”

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While abroad, Eli plans to take it all in while also sharing a little Aussie spirit, bringing pins to swap with fellow Rotary exchange students, hoping to trade an Australian flag for a Czech flag with his host Rotary club.

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“What I particularly loved was Eli's plan to present our national flag to his host family before returning home, a wonderful gesture,” said Federal Member of Dawson Andrew Willcox.

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“After chatting with Eli, I have no doubt he'll be a fantastic ambassador, not only for Australia, but for Proserpine and our entire region.”

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