The 15-year-old will arrive in the southern coastal city just in time for the country's vibrant Carnival festival.

Nathan and three other local students have been sponsored by Rotary International to spend a year on exchange in another part of the world.

They were among the many year10 students from Bacchus Marsh College and Bacchus Marsh Grammar who responded to Rotary's annual invitation.

While families pay for all costs in getting students to their host country, the Rotary club where their host family lives pays for education and living allowances.

Like Nathan, Peta Antonello, who is going to Bramming, Denmark, Rufaro Zivave (Zitadelle, Germany) and Kyle Lappin (Tonsberg, Norway) have already begun learning the languages spoken in their host countries.

The students will resume their education in Australia next year, Rotary Exchange co-ordinator John Lucas says.

"As you can imagine, there are four very excited students."

It's Nathan's first time overseas and he's excited about the adventures ahead.

"I'm looking forward to the culture change," he said.

"I want to be a school sports teacher so I'm keen to learn about their sporting culture, especially soccer.

"It's a beach city. We'll start school at 7am and finish by lunch, which will be different."

He said Rotary had helped with visa applications and the logistics of the exchange, which he expects to be life-changing.

"I've already started changing through being a part of Rotary," Nathan said. "I've gained a lot more confidence, I'm not as shy."

Nathan says he's looking forward to treks in the Amazon and visiting Rio de Janeiro.