Are you ready?

Welcome! Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)

Agenda Welcome and introductions Program overview Costs Student experiences Parent experience Host parent experience Choosing the student Student responsibilities Process & timelines Questions?

Welcome & Introductions Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Committee members Rebound Students

Program Overview

What is Rotary? Worldwide organization with over 1 million members in 32,000 clubs Service projects address poverty, illness, hunger, illiteracy, pollution, clean water. Major emphasis on service to YOUTH.

What is Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)?

Program Scope Every year over 8,000 students participate in Rotary Youth Exchange. The Rotary Clubs of Grande Prairie sponsor 2-3 students every year. Our District sponsors +/- 20 students per year Students chosen now will be on exchange during 2017-2018 school year.

Program Objectives Students live and study for one year in a different culture: To further their education and broaden their outlook To learn a different way of living, a new language and a great deal about themselves. They view the world from a new perspective.

Program Objectives To further international goodwill & understanding by enabling youth to understand and appreciate the culture and accomplishments of people in other lands. To bring the world closer together.

Program Objectives To create goodwill ambassadors who project a positive image of Canada in other cultures. To study and observe all facets of life and culture in their host country. Upon return, pass on the knowledge they have gained.

How Does it Work? Students are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie and the Swan City Rotary Club, and hosted by a Rotary Club in their host exchange country. Students live with 1 to 4 host families (usually Rotarians) and attend a local school.

Where might I go? ** Argentina Finland Sweden Austria France Switzerland Belgium (Dutch) Germany Taiwan Italy Thailand Bolivia Netherlands Brazil Norway Czech Republic Poland Slovakia Denmark ** Subject to change

Rotary Supports Supports in Canada: Supports in host country: District 5370 RYE committee Counsellor from local Rotary club Supports in host country: District RYE committee Host Rotary club and counsellor Host families

What will it cost? Rotary pays $5000.00 + $450 contract fee (cost share based on student situation) Includes: Air Fare, Health Insurance, Orientations, Blazer, Business cards Hosting Rotary club provides room & board, allowance, and registration fees for required RYE events.

What will it cost? Parents/student are responsible for: Trips (Approx $4000-$6000). Trips are by invitation and voluntary Language Camp costs (Approx:$500) Pre-trip medical/dental exams, vaccinations Extra spending money if needed Parental registration for orientation weekend Passport $500 emergency fund (refunded)

Student Experiences

Ryan Boutilier, Taiwan, 2015-16

Brayden Bibby, Poland, 2015-16

What are we looking for? Age: Born on or before Jan 1, 2000 and cannot be 18 years old before their departure Personality Exhibits leadership qualities. Friendly & outgoing. Likes meeting new people. Flexible & adaptable. Willing to try new things. Accepts cultural/religious differences. Reliable & trustworthy. Accepts discipline. Independent. Good character & reputation.

What are we looking for? Academics Good student. Upper 50%. Conscientious and hard working. Willing to postpone graduation. Involved in school, community, church, athletics, arts, etc. Good communicator. Comfortable speaking in public.

What are we looking for? Parents whole-heartedly support the exchange. An excellent ambassador for Grande Prairie, your family and for Canada.

Student responsibilities RYE is NOT a holiday nor a travel program. There are expectations of our RYE students....

Student responsibilities Attend school regularly and be an involved and cooperative student. Be open to/accepting of new experiences & cultural differences. Follow program rules/expectations and accept the supervision of host Rotary club and host parents.

Student responsibilities Be an active participant in host family, club and exchange activities. Be polite, courteous, positive & friendly. Create a good impression of Canada and Canadians. Be grateful for your experiences and commit to giving back to your hosts and community.

Student responsibilities Keep your sponsoring Rotary Club regularly informed about your experiences. Be committed to immersing yourself in the culture and learning/experiencing as much as you can, including becoming fluent in a new language. Complete the 3 yr exchange cycle.

NO! The Four “D’s” RYE’s Code of Conduct Drinking Driving Drugs Serious Dating NO!

RYE’s Six “Be’s” Be first: I am a person of action! Be curious: I seek to understand! Be on purpose: I am certain of my outcome and move steadily toward it! Be grateful: I focus on things I can be thankful for! Be of service: I give of myself! Be here now: I live in the moment!

Process and Timelines

Process and Timelines Dates Activities Mid October Student submits preliminary application. End of October Local committee interviews all students & parents. Local committee nominates 2 students (plus alternate). November Student prepares detailed application & has medical/dental exams. November 29 Deadline to submit application to District 5370. January 9, 2017 District committee interviews nominated student & parents. Jan 2017 Students officially named an outbound RYE student! Feb – July 2017 Student attends Rotary Club meetings in GP. Student researches host country and begins to learn the language. Obtains passport.

Process and Timelines Dates Activities March 18-20, 2017 Student, parents & counsellor must attend orientation weekend in Edmonton. Student prepares by studying language, setting goals etc. (with support of counselor) June 2017 Student makes presentation to their Rotary Club in GP. July/Aug 2017 Student travels to host community/country! Sept 2017 to June 2018 Student lives with host families and attends school. July 2018 Student returns to GP as a “Rebound” RYE student. Sept 2018 Student attends Rebound Weekend in Hinton. Student makes presentation to Rotary Club in GP. March 2019 Student mentors new students at Spring Orientation for 2019-2020 outbound students. $500 contract fee refunded if all responsibilities have been met.

Then you’re ready for Rotary Youth Exchange! Are you ready to..... Totally immerse yourself in a new culture? Make international friendships? Learn a new language? Appreciate other ways of doing things? Be an ambassador for Rotary & Canada? Then you’re ready for Rotary Youth Exchange!

Questions? Brent.bibby@investorsgroup.com Rachel@kamca.ca www.youthexchangeinfo.com