Two 18-year-old Bermudian students yesterday gave accounts of their year studying overseas.The Rotary Club of Hamilton Bermuda accepted both Jonique Crockwell and KyAsia Scott-Fishenden into its 2012-2013 foreign exchange programme.Ms Crockwell travelled to Playas de Tijuana, Mexico, and studied at the Instituto Mexicano Asociacion Noreste, while Ms Scott-Fishenden travelled to Alanya, Turkey and studied at Alanya Anadolu Lisesi.The two young women spoke about their experiences at the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting yesterday.Having to deal with a massive difference in culture, both young women learned to speak the language of their surroundings.Ms Crockwell said she was treated like a celebrity by the locals of Mexico.“When they saw me, they took pictures and thought I was Beyonce,” she said.Ms Scott-Fishenden was treated similarly in Turkey.“I was the only black person there,” she said. “The other students were looking at me, it got tiring after a while but I got used to it near the end.”After one of her friends left the programme midway, Ms Scott-Fishenden chose to stay.“I didn’t want to come home early, I wanted to be an exchange student and I made it worthwhile.”Ms Crockwell also had her moment of uncertainty.“I wanted to return, so I called my mom and after her words of encouragement, I stayed and continued the exchange. I’m glad I did. This year has been incredible and I encourage anyone to be a part of the programme. It has opened my eyes to a different culture and to the humble people of Mexico. Living there was great, they were so kind and friendly.“My advice for exchange students is to go with an open mind, be ready for challenges and make the most of it.”During her exchange experience, Ms Crockwell starred in a Spanish theatre play, went rafting and toured the southern parts of Mexico.Among the challenges she faced in Mexico, was the loss of a fellow exchange student and friend from Japan, who passed away following a motorcycle accident.“It was very heartbreaking. We had a service for him in Mexico.”Ms Scott-Fishenden noted the immediate differences from her experience living in Turkey. She pointed out drinking tea and coffee multiple times a day was common, and the foods were more of an acquired taste for her.“Traditional Turkish Sunday breakfasts were a lot of cheese, meat, potatoes, cucumbers, jams and tea,” she said. “It was delicious.”Ms Scott-Fishenden toured several tourist spots in Turkey, including the Church of Santa Claus, Istandbul and various sights in the Western areas.She even witnessed some of the hostile signs of protests in Kizilay. “It’s really dangerous at night,” she said. “Once I went there at night, and I saw a water cannon go by, but I was OK. I was safe.”With both students back home in Bermuda, the hope to encourage other Bermudians to apply for the programme and use it as an opportunity to broaden their perspective on life.