Emily Remaly is not afraid to travel to a foreign county to attend school.

Her choice of schooling is unique compared to most teenagers her age.

The Northwestern Lehigh High School junior was recently selected to participate in the 2012-13 Rotary International Student Exchange program sponsored by the Allentown West Rotary Club 7430 District to study in Surabaya, Indonesia.

The daughter of Lisa and Richard Remaly of Germansville, Emily, 16, heard about the program via an announcement at her school last spring.

She asked her parents if she could apply.

"Years ago, when my family, (which includes sister Ian, 12, and brothers Adam, 14, and Ben, 17), hosted exchange students, they kind of got me interested," she said. "My mom's involvement in Rotary years ago was also a factor in doing this."

One of the reasons Remaly choose Indonesia was her mother went there when she was a teenager in the Rotary Exchange program.

"I hope to experience as much as I can from this adventure and going to Indonesia," Remaly said. "I am the only student from the eastern part of the United States going to Indonesia."

Emily said she was excited and nervous.

"This is my first exchange and my first time on a plane. I would just like to learn about other cultures," she said.

Indonesian art is also drawing her to this particular country.

"I like to draw, so I want to learn their style," Emily said.

She will stay about three to four months with three different host families over the next year while attending school in Surabaya.

The only contact she will have with her own family will be through email, Skype or regular mail.

Her first host dad is the president of the Rotary in Surabaya.

"I spoke with one of the sisters in one of my host families and she asked if I wanted to learn traditional dance," Emily said. "Yes, I told her"

Emily is involved in the Leo and Diversity clubs at Northwestern. She is also a Girl Scout, and member of the Lowhill Laurels and Neffs Clovers 4-H groups.

She has been a representative for 4-H at the Great Allentown Fair for the last two summers. For last four years, she has helped out with the Kids-Peace soccer invitation.

Her mom also spoke with The Press.

"The program is really good," she said. "The Rotarians keep them safe."

She said if there is conflict in a country, the Rotary will pull it from the list of countries from which the students can choose.

Emily said state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, donated various materials and state flags and state Sen. David Argall, R-29th, donated state flags and Pa. coloring books for her to take and give to people in Indonesia.

Lehigh Valley 4-H and the Lehigh Valley Zoo also gave her items to take to Indonesia, she said.

"I encourage others to participate in the exchange program and become friends with an exchange student in your school," Emily said.

She is the sister to Ian, 12, Adam, 14, and Ben, 17.

For more information on the Rotary International Student Exchange program, email Max Rose at outboundchair@ rotary7430yep.org.