Twenty-year-old Che Barker has had the experience of a lifetime after spending a year on the road with "Up With People'' an organisation that gives young people invaluable experience traveling the world while entertaining.

Bermuda has been involved in the programme since 1969 when Delmonte Davis was the first young Bermudian to leave the island with the non-denominational organisation that promotes young people being exposed to different place and cultures.

"I needed a chance to see more and get away and this was the best opportunity I could have asked for,'' Che said.

After applying to be a part of "Up With People'' and being accepted, Che left the Island in July last year for Colorado. There, students from around the globe underwent a five week period of auditions, split up into five casts, to establish roles and learn the material.

There were numerous parts of the show to be filled from singing and dancing to production and lights but Che stressed that everyone got immersed in whatever they did.

Laughing, Che told The Royal Gazette : "I got there and thought, well, I can't sing, I've never danced and I can't act so I guess I will do the sound.'' But Che ended up with a leading role in what was considered the most talented cast.

"I kept getting called back and I was really surprised. That is one thing about `Up With People' if you have talent they know how to bring it out in you.'' Che described the show, entitled `The Festival',' as being similar to `West Side Story'. "It is about two different gangs and a boy and a girl who go to a festival which gets broken up because they are together'' he explained.

Che played two primary roles in the show. He was the gang leader who had a special rap solo and also the streetsweeper who narrates the story.

"The music was really important to the show -- there are a lot of songs that tell what everyone is feeling,'' Che said.

Che was not the only Bermudian in what was referred to as "Cast A''.

Tawana Flood had a solo ballad that used to tear up the room. "After Tawana's ballad the crowd would go wild, standing ovations and everything. She has an amazing voice -- Bermuda was definitely well represented,'' Che said.

Although the songs were always performed in English, the acting of the show was translated into five different languages to accommodate the audiences in the different countries they performed in.

So Che had to learn his lines in English, German, French, Dutch and Italian.

Asked if that was difficult, he said: "If you weren't surrounded by the language it would be, but you are actually in that country and have the best teachers helping you. One cast translated their whole show into Spanish, songs and all, that would have been hard.'' `The Festival' travelled around US as well as Austria, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy and Luxembourg. Che also visited England on his own.

His favourite city? Rome. "On a normal street where about three or four cars drive along side each other, in Rome six or seven do with motorbikes on the side -- it is insane!'' Che has time of his life While touring Italy, Che performed for the Pope in front of his home in San Pietro.

Reflecting back at myriad of memories, Che recalls a memorable show they did for an urban school in Texas. He explained: "There were a bunch of little, tough guys but when I did the rap song they loved it and after the show I was mobbed. Kids were asking for autographs, even for me to sign their arms.

"Here in Bermuda I was just Che and there it was like I was some celebrity -- like I was Michael Jackson or the Beatles or something. It was so new to me. I could of just stood there for hours signing autographs to see the kids smile,'' he said.

After such an exhilarating year abroad Che has been back on the Island for the summer before going to college this autumn at Towson State University in Maryland.

"Being back in Bermuda has put everything in perspective,'' he says. "The Island is still the most beautiful place I have ever seen -- I just don't feel like it is home right now. Now, I feel like there is a lot more for me for see and do. I want to continue travelling.'' And Che does not think college will be a let-down after last year's excitement: "I have no fear that college will be boring after `Up With People'. Any change is a good change and I will be taking courses that interest me.'' Che also mentioned he is already thinking about semesters abroad as well.

Laughing, he said: "I can see myself going to herd elephants in the Sahara for a semester.'' At Towson State he will be majoring in mass communications with hopes of becoming a radio or television journalist. "My ideal job would be working for CNN International,'' he said.

But he is leaving his options open. "I would also like to teach English in Europe when I get out of college.'' After being exposed to the stage, international travel, inter-cultural living, business and leadership, community service, interpersonal and working relationships that "Up With People'' entailed, Che has the self-confidence for whatever he decides to pursue.

Reflecting on the experience he said: " I really miss it -- It was good fun.'' "The songs were really `Up With People For Me'. I hear a song on the radio and I get all misty. I miss my friends. I have friends here, but I have never gone to Germany with them and had to sleep on the same bed the size of a match box.'' Che has stayed in touch with various people that he met during his time abroad and is planning a visit with a friend in British Columbia.

"The whole thing is about getting out of your own little world and seeing the what's really around you,'' Che said.