The 19-year-old returned to Wagga with countless fond memories after having the time of her life while on a 12-month exchange program in Denmark.

“I was ready to do something out of the ordinary in life and I looked at the youth exchange as a big adventure,” Jacqueline said.

“And it turned out to be bigger than what I imagined ... my time away exceeded every expectation I had.”

Jacqueline decided to apply to go on the exchange during a gap year after completing her HSC at Wagga High School.

“Although I had done my HSC in Australia, I still went to school over there and that’s what made it even better,” she said.

“I experienced the youth culture and the school’s old traditions.

“It was a whole different life and I became part of their culture.

“I also learnt to speak Danish and was even given the chance to ride a horse at a circus.”

To top the year off, Jacqueline was named most outstanding exchange student in her district.

It was an unforgettable period for the family as Jacqueline’s twin brother Michael went on an exchange to Sweden at the same time.

“I was able to visit Michael, which was nice,” Jacqueline said.

They have both made their way back home and have tackled the next exciting challenges in their lives.

Jacqueline is attending the art academy at the University of Ballarat, while Michael is studying creative advertising at RMIT University in Melbourne.