For most high school students, junior year means adjusting to harder classes, thinking about college, and navigating life as a teenager. For West Allis Central student Story Buettner, it meant packing a suitcase and stepping into an entirely different world—Thailand!
Thanks to a connection with a teacher and a late application to Rotary Youth Exchange, Story found herself on a life-changing journey to the city of Phitsanulok, located in the lower north of Thailand. “When I stepped off the plane, it didn’t feel real. It wasn’t a vacation. I was going to be there for an entire year,” she said.
The process began with a simple application: basic information, a few photos, and an essay introducing herself to potential host families. Rotary covered some costs, and Story and her family covered the rest. Before leaving, she took language courses provided by Rotary and practiced nightly with language apps. Still, the transition was tough at first, especially the language. “The first few months, I used Google Translate a lot,” she recalled. But through daily practice and immersion, Story became conversational in Thai.
She attended a large school with over 4,000 students, most of whom were boys. “It was a combined middle and high school, and I followed a new schedule every day,” she shared. Story was part of the English program, where many classes were taught in English by both Thai and foreign teachers, allowing her to build strong friendships with other students.
Beyond academics, Story's experience was filled with unforgettable cultural moments. She explored the country from its northernmost point to its southern tip, often traveling with other exchange students and staying with Rotarians. “It was amazing to immerse myself in a culture so different from my own, everything from the language to the food to everyday mannerisms,” she said. “The food was incredibly spicy, but I built up my spice tolerance. I’m definitely going to miss it—especially the tom yum goong soup.”
One of the most meaningful parts of her journey was learning about the work Rotarians are doing for stateless children in Thailand. Stateless children are born in hill tribe communities in the northern regions and lack official citizenship despite being born and raised in the country. Many of these children face significant challenges in accessing basic rights and essential services, including education, healthcare, and legal protection. Story is creating a video to help raise awareness. She hopes that by creating the video and partnering with Rotary, Interact, and the National Honor Society, she will be able to raise funds to enable Rotarians to continue their work in supporting these children.
Now back home, Story is still processing the impact of her year abroad. “It doesn’t feel real that I’m back. It feels dream-like,” she said. But one thing is clear, she has returned more independent, confident, and inspired. “If you ever get the chance to study abroad, do it. It’s so different, so incredible, and so worth it.”