Rotary exchange brings lifetime friendships
Nik Rhode is more than 20 moons old – in German years, that is.
‘How old are you in German years?’ was just one of the humorous questions Mr. Rhode received when he first arrived in Pittsburg in 2012 as a Rotary Exchange student.
Mr. Rhode traveled from his home in north Germany, just 20 miles south of the border of Denmark, to Pittsburg where he spent time with Roy and Debbie Knox and Davey and Rachel Miner.
According to Mr. Rhode, he also told fellow high school students that he got to Pittsburg by building a raft. When he’s not joking around, he’s passionate about Rotary International, the Rotary Exchange program and Ro-Tex, an organization which isn’t under the Rotary umbrella, but which bridges the gap between Rotary and its exchange students.
The 19-year-old speaks four languages, German, English, French and Spanish.
Pittsburg Rotary President Chris Lummus said he’s enjoyed getting to know Nik during his stint as an exchange student and on the trips he’s made back to the area since. He has traveled back to the U.S. with his parents and on solo trips. This summer, he is visiting and lodging with the Knox family.
“Nik has been a delightful young man and he’s very interested in the Pittsburg area,” Mr. Lummus said. “He has done very well at fitting in and meeting people and he is passionate about Rotary.”
At a recent Rotary meeting in Pittsburg, Mr. Rhode spoke about Ro-Tex 1890, the district of Ro-Tex for which he serves as President. Mr. Lummus said he hopes the group is soon part of Rotary International as its made up of former Rotary Exchange students.
“His presentation really impressed me. Ro-Tex supports current exchange students who travel both outbound and inbound,” Mr. Lummus said. “Nik is such an ambassador for the Rotary youth exchange program. I really appreciate the way he conducts himself.”
While staying with the Knox family, Mr. Rhode learned a lot about the United States and Texas, in particular. He made friends and found a second family here in Pittsburg. He also developed a passion for Southern cooking including Tex-Mex and fried chicken.
It was that love of fried chicken that got him in trouble with Mrs. Knox – that and a mix-up of words.
“I mean, speaking four languages is hard. We had a few ‘motherly’ problems or what I considered respect issues at first. Roy sat back and said nothing to help the situation, of course. But one night he announced that when he would leave he wouldn’t have to eat ‘this crappy chicken anymore,’” Mrs. Knox said. “Whatever word he was looking for was not crappy because he had about six pieces of fried chicken – one of his favorite foods – on his plate.”
Mrs. Knox said she sat the boy down and explained a few “motherly” things to him and they became fast friends afterward.
“He confided in me; he listened to Roy’s advice on a couple of things which wasn’t the best; he embraced being a Longhorn despite (Davey) Miner’s influence on trying to make him an Aggie; and he has been here every summer since,” she said. “He and his parents are a part of our extended family.”
Becoming an exchange student is one of the hardest and most rewarding things Mr. Rhode said he has ever done. He encourages others to try the program, but offers caution, as well.
“You need to be a certain kind of person to do it. You have to be open minded and be sure about it because it’s not easy,” he said. “It’s probably the hardest thing you will have done in the 16 years you’ve been alive. It’s something that’s going to be with you for the rest of your life. It’s a big accomplishment for anyone who does it.”
Mrs. Knox commends Nik for his moxie and thanks Rotary International for offering a program that sends youth all over the world to broaden their horizons.
“That’s quite an organization and just a very small aspect of this worldwide organization,” she said. “At Rotary, Nik says the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ with us and sings ‘God Bless America.’ Perhaps we should put Rotary in charge of peace.”
With the Ro-Tex program, Mr. Rhode said he is able to meet and work with others who have had the same experiences as Rotary Exchange students.
“Our motto is, ‘Keep the Rotary Spirit Alive,’” he said. “When you come home, you’re the highlight, but after everything gets back to normal and you tell a story about your experience, people don’t care anymore. When we get together with people who understand and have the same experience, they don’t care if you tell the same story about your exchange for the 10th time.”
Ro-Tex serves as the intermediary group between Rotary International and the Rotary exchange students.
“They serve as go between,” Mr. Rhode said. “It’s easier for us to relate to the exchange students because we are closer in age. Most Rotary members never went on an exchange. We can relate to them.”
In addition to continuing to serve as Ro-Tex 1890 President, Mr. Rhode hopes to graduate in April. He wants to pursue becoming an airline pilot or serve in the German Air Force.
“There’s no doubt with Nik’s discipline, his determination and his organization, he will be a strong leader in Germany or maybe even America – he already is in most things he takes on,” Mrs. Knox said. “Hopefully, I’ll get to know some of it before I leave this world.”
When Mr. Rhode travels home to Germany at the end of the summer, it won’t be the last Pittsburg has seen of the intrepid world traveler, though it may be a few years before he can get back.
“This is my last real summer break and going forward, I probably won’t have five weeks off,” he said. “I will certainly come back and visit. I’ll try my best.”
By Tori Lyle, news@campcountynow.com -- To continue reading this article, purchase the print edition of The Pittsburg Gazette or go to our online e-edition at:http://www.etypeservices.com/
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