Youth Exchange

What is Youth Exchange? Youth Exchange is an exchange program for high school students.

Youth Exchange Goals Youth Exchange Provides young people with the opportunity to experience cultures other than their own Gives participants a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of themselves Develops leadership and communication skills in youth Advances international understanding and world peace

Benefits of Youth Exchange Youth Exchange allows students to Meet people from other countries and experience their culture firsthand Gain a better understanding of the basic needs we all share and the diversity that makes each culture unique

Benefits of Youth Exchange Learn another culture Become fluent in another language Make new friends Learn about themselves

Benefits of Youth Exchange Youth Exchange allows host families to Learn about another culture Gain a new son or daughter

Benefits of Youth Exchange Youth Exchange benefits the community and the Rotary Club Students at high school get opportunity to learn about another culture Community gets to reach out to another part of the World Rotary Club gains a son or daughter for a year

Youth Exchange History The first exchanges began in 1927 involving only European students. Exchanges between California and Latin American countries started in Activities spread to the Eastern United States in Youth Exchange became an official program of RI in 1972.

Youth Exchange Facts More than 8,000 students have participated globally in over 80 countries. 95% of all Rotary districts participate in the Youth Exchange program. 30% of Youth Exchange students are children from Rotary families. Rotary Youth Exchange is an affordable exchange program.

Youth Exchange Guidelines Eligible students must be: Between the ages of 15 1/2 and 18 1/2 At the high-school or equivalent academic level Above-average academically Socially ready to handle living abroad for an extended period

Long-term Exchanges A long-term exchange lasts for an academic year. Students stay with 2-3 host families and are required to attend school in their host country.

Short-term Exchanges Short-term exchanges, which last eight weeks, are also available. Short-term exchanges allow a student to spend four weeks abroad with their match and then four more weeks in their own home with their new sibling.

How Youth Exchange Operates Club committees recruit, screen, and select students and host families for participation in the program. Our District conducts a second screening process for Outbounds, conducts orientation sessions and works with Central States Youth Exchange to manage all aspects of the exchange. Central States contacts work with their counterparts around the world to organize all aspects of the exchanges.

Club Committee Structure The club Youth Exchange Officer (YEO) and the Youth Exchange Counselor (YEC) are responsible for all aspects of the club’s Youth Exchange program. Other positions for the club youth exchange committee in addition to the YEO may include: Outbound coordinator Inbound coordinator Host family coordinator

Club Chair The Club Youth Exchange Officer Completes and returns guarantee form Arranges for host families Arranges for the student to attend club meetings on a regular basis Has the student participate in special club events and fund raisers Takes student to Rotary activities

Club Counselor The counselor Acts as an intermediary for the student and the host family Is the student’s confidante Is the student’s advocate

Club Members Share at club meetings Assist with special events Are “aunts and uncles” for the student

Host Families There is no set formula for the perfect host family: all that is needed is the desire to be parents for their student. Host families Do not need to have teenage children - in fact, younger children often work out better Do not need to be Rotarians. Can be “empty nesters”

Host Families Provide room, board, family life A stay of 3 months is ideal Attend host family orientation Help in family transition

District Structure District governors are responsible for: appointing a district chair overseeing the appointment of a district committee supporting and monitoring the program throughout the year District 6250 committee includes: District Chair Asst. District Chair Inbound Chair Outbound Chair Rebound Chair Registrar Information Coordinator Treasurer

District 6250 Committee Chair: Harry Van Camp (Madison Breakfast Rotary) Asst. Chair: Linda Buchs-Hammonds (WI Rapids) Inbound Chair: Jean Hathway (Janesville Noon) Outbound Chair: Doug & Sharon Richmond (Lodi) Rebound Chair: Pam Buchda (Tomah) Registrar: Toni Pabon (Madison South) Information Coordinator: Judy Levine (Madison Breakfast Rotary Short-term Chair: Steve Zimmerman (Fort Atkinson)

Participate Get involved with Rotary Youth Exchange by Hosting a student, for 3-4 months, for an afternoon activity, club meeting, or project Chaperoning exchange student orientations or tours Serving on the club committee Working with your district committee Promoting the program in local schools and to students you know

Rotary Youth Exchange – How Can You Say No???