July 29, 2010
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Youth Exchange
Making a World of Difference:
This year, about 7000 young people will see the world the way it is best seen - from the inside out - through a Rotary Youth Exchange program. This could be your year.
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will spend a year or perhaps just an extended holiday, living with a host family in a country other than your own. You may learn a new language; your will learn a new way of living - and a great deal about yourself. But there's more. While you're busy learning, the people you meet will be learning too - about your country, your culture, and your ideas. You will be a young ambassador. You will be helping to bring the world closer together - and you'll be making some good friends in the process.
Rotary Sarnia offers a wide range of youth leadership development opportunities. Why not check them out?
What is Rotary?
Rotary Clubs are service organizations which strive to improve the quality of life in their communities, promote high ethical standards in business, and foster international understanding and goodwill throughout the world. Membership represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders. Clubs carry out a variety of service activities, one of which is Youth Exchange. For administrative purposes, clubs are grouped into geographical areas called Rotary districts. The administration of a Rotary Youth Exchange program is carried out entirely at the club and district levels. Rotary International (RI) is the association of Rotary clubs throughout the world. While RI encourages clubs and districts to undertake Youth Exchange activities and offers support through publications and suggested guidelines, Rotary clubs and districts run their Youth Exchange programs independently of RI.
With more than 32,800 clubs in towns and cities throughout the world, there is an extensive network of volunteers, right in the community, ready to provide the necessary support.
Rotary clubs have the experience - the experience of more than 30 years of sponsoring successful international exchanges among young people.
Rotary clubs have the commitment - the personal commitment and dedication of more than one million individual Rotarians who want to give you the opportunity to make your Youth Exchange experience one of personal growth and warm memories.
Here's what you need to know
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is open to young people, generally between the ages of 15-19, the children of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. Applications are selected by a sponsoring Rotary club on the basis of a written application and a personal interview.
The program offers two types of exchanges:
A long-term exchange of an academic year's duration, during which the student lives with more than one family and attends school in the host country.
A short-term exchange which may vary from several days to several weeks. It does not include an academic program and often takes place when schools are not in session.
Exchanges can occur between any two countries in which there are Rotary clubs. Rotary clubs in approximately 70 different counties annually sponsor or host Youth Exchange students. A thorough orientation program for students and their parents is provided by the sponsoring Rotary club. And the host Rotary club provides support and guidance on the receiving end of the exchange.
While room and board for the exchanges is provided by the host family, the student and his own family assume certain financial obligations. These include round-trip air transportation, clothing, health insurance, and incidental expenses (pocket money) for the student. For long-term exchanges, the host Rotary club will provide a modest monthly allowance and usually pays the student's tuition for all required academic programs.
Be a Youth Exchange Host
Hosting a Youth Exchange student can be as rewarding as being one. It's an opportunity to make a personal contribution to advancing world understanding while expanding your own horizons and those of your family. And it's a chance to build a relationship with someone special, someone who will be part of your life for a long time to come.
If you have children of your own, you can appreciate the responsibility that comes with hosting a Youth Exchange student. You will be expected to provide parental guidance and supervision for the student as well as room and board during his/her stay in your home. To facilitate the exchangee's assimilations into the culture and allow more families in the community to participate in the Youth Exchange experience. The selection of a host family is made with careful consideration by the hosting Rotary club.
What types of families open their doors to Youth Exchange? All types, Rotarian and non-Rotarian families with young children, grown children and no children - all have shared the joy of hosting a new "son" or "daughter" from another land. All it takes is the willingness to care and a heart that's ready for a touch of adventure.
You're a Step Away from a Better World
You can make a difference - in a world of differences - by taking a step toward promoting world understanding through Youth Exchange. Whether you venture forth as an exchange student or welcome a young person into your family, you will be taking a step in the right direction. Either way, you'll be right in step with Rotary.
Contact your local Rotary club today - the world needs more ambassadors for peace and intercountry understanding.
For additional information please contact:
Rotary Club of Sarnia
P.O. Box 22014
Twin Lakes Postal Outlet
Sarnia, ON N7S 6J4
519-490-1066
or email our Rotary office
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