Leaving is never easy. Especially when you’re saying goodbye not only to a country, but also to friends, experiences, and a year that has changed your life forever. From June 9 to 15, 52 exchange students of District 2240 gathered in Lednice to close one of the most beautiful chapters of their lives – their exchange year.
Farewell Week 2025 was a week of laughter, tears, hugs, and adventures. A week that will never be forgotten.
A Full Stop to the Year
On Monday, we welcomed the Inbounds to their last official Rotary meeting. Their first steps led to the historic center of Lednice, with its calm atmosphere, castle towers, and magic that seemed to slow down time. On Tuesday, we crossed the border and headed to Bratislava. The Slovak capital greeted us with beautiful weather and sights such as Devín Castle and Bratislava Castle. And surprisingly, Slovak came quite naturally to the students!
Water Adventures in Aqualand
On Wednesday, it was Vienna’s turn – the city of music, coffee, and history. Schönbrunn, Stephansdom, Hundertwasserhaus… simply everything one must see (and photograph!). Thursday was all about fun in the water at Aqualand Moravia. The largest water park in the Czech Republic really challenged our students – water slides, relaxation zones, and also the first sunburns. Some returned from the trip looking like walking tomatoes, but no one minded. On the contrary – there was more laughter than water in the pools.
Cycling
Friday was dedicated to cycling through the Lednice-Valtice area. For some, it was their first time on a bike, but they managed the whole route – about 50 kilometers – with ease. Along the way, we held a photo contest that produced incredible shots and plenty of creative ideas. Lunch? Sausages, pancakes, and watermelon at Janohrad – simple, yet it tasted like a royal feast.
Rafting and Certificates
Saturday brought one of the most beautiful moments of the week. Rafting on the Morava River combined team spirit with stunning nature – there were water fights, songs, and laughter echoing across the surface. In the evening, a special program awaited us. We sailed by boat to Hodonín and then returned to Lednice. This was followed by the final highlight of the meeting and the entire exchange – the certificate ceremony.
It was moving. Tears mixed with smiles, hugs, and shouts like: “The best year of my life!” Then came flag signing, pizza, and the closing party – a stylish and heartfelt farewell to everything this week represented.
See you later
Sunday morning was all about goodbyes. The last group photo, the last hugs, the last “See you later.”
“We remembered the past year, did crazy things together, cried and laughed. Believe me, whenever I hear the song Die with a Smile in the future, I will think of you – my dear family from all around the world,” shared Ruby Lu from Taiwan. Fernanda Novak from Brazil added: “Choosing District 2240 and the Czech Republic as my host country was the best decision of my life. Thank you for everything.”
Memories that Remain
And so, even though the students each went their separate ways, something remained: memories, friendships, and the knowledge that the Czech Republic and Slovakia will always be their second home.
Rotary District 2240 Czechia hereby closes the exchange year 2024/2025 – Farewell 2025 has ended… but the friendships continue.
Annabela Šimková, Rotex
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