From staff reports
Rotary Clubs in our region are presenting local students and families with opportunities to become involved in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.
Rotary clubs of District 7280 are searching for outgoing high school students to travel overseas to over 40 countries next year as part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program.
Students
There are two ways students can participate. The long term/school year program allows the student to travel overseas to spend an entire school year in a foreign country.
If choosing the short term program, the student will spend 3-6 weeks in a foreign country in the home of another student and will host that student in their home for 3-6 weeks.
Eligible students should be of good character and reputation, not older than 18 at time of departure, have above average academic ability and have a pleasant personality. A preliminary application with a local interview is required before the Rotary District 7280 interviews in November. Country preferences will be taken into consideration and placements made in January.
The student’s share of expenses includes a $450 youth exchange program fee, airfare, insurance and other travel costs. The program is for one year and the hosting Rotary club will provide housing with host families, food, schooling and a monthly allowance.
Families
Families may also participate in a long or short term program.
Families are also needed to host an in-bound foreign student for all or part of a school year. Many Rotary Clubs have found it good to have the in-bound student live with 2-3 families during the school year so the student gets to enjoy a variety of experiences, several families get to enjoy that student and no one family is over-burdened. The local Rotary Club will be responsible for getting approval from the school district for the student’s enrollment. The club also provides the student with a monthly allowance.
All families-even those without children-are encouraged to apply to be hosts. Any reputable family in our community is eligible to host a Rotary exchange student.
A Rotary Short Term Exchange presents opportunities for applicants to advance their knowledge and world understanding by allowing them to exchange in a different country. Participants will live with host families in their selected land usually for 3-6 weeks in the summer, under the sponsorship of their local Rotary Club.
Short Term Exchange Program
The objective of the program is to foster world peace, international understanding and good will by extending international communication at the personal level through the exchange of students of high school age. It is our hope these young people will be able to observe, first hand, the problems and accomplishments of other countries by living with and meeting people of cultures, creeds and colors other than their own.
Eligible applicants should be age 15-17 of good character who possesses a warm personality and a desire to live abroad and host in return. Candidates should be adaptable and flexible, well-mannered and want to experience life in other countries and cultures. Children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians are equally eligible.
Students will be matched with a student of similar interests in a country of their selection or approval. The students will spend an agreed upon time together – half the time in one home and half the time in the other home. The exchange must be a 3 week minimum each way, but can be up to 6 weeks.
Proficiency in a foreign language is not needed. The program is cultural in nature, but is also for a short period of time. Many countries throughout the world teach English as a second language and most participating students are quite proficient in speaking our language. If you have taken a foreign language in high school and elect to visit a country speaking that language, you will be able to gain some conversational ability, but most students do not find language to be a barrier to having a great exchange experience.
Being away in a foreign country has a powerful broadening and accelerating effect on a student’s maturing process. Managing finances and making decisions influences independence from what parents would have done as a matter of course. Students also develop an understanding of and tolerance for people which will benefit them throughout their life.
Expenses in this program are much lower than our year-round program. Students pay approximately $200 for required health insurance and administrative fees. The only other cost is for plane fare (which can be made on your own or through the exchange program’s travel agency) and spending money for souvenirs, etc. The host families provide room and board and entertainment expenses in each household.
For additional information, visit www.exchangestudent.org.
To request a packet of outbound information or for additional information, contact Nancy Clemente, co-chair, (814) 671-3021, nancy8280@gmail.com; Beth Marshall, co-chair and inbound coordinator, (724) 624-4057, harriettclyde@gmail.com; Susan McClelland, short term coordinator, (814) 887-4180, mcclellandfinancial@verizon.net; or Jeff Simmons, outbound coordinator, (724) 875-1136, jssim89167@yahoo.com.