ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE An Opportunity of a Lifetime

What is Rotary? Rotary is a non-profit international service organization Formed in 1905 by four men in Chicago It has now grown to over 1,200,000 members worldwide 33,000 clubs 520 districts (groups of clubs) 200 countries and geographical areas Question #4

What Does Rotary Do? Rotary’s service projects for the world address such critical issues as: Poverty Hunger Illiteracy Medical needs (artificial limbs, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, eye surgery, and many others) Question #4

What Does Rotary Do? (continued) Eradication of polio Providing safe drinking water to citizens of developing countries Services to our local communities Services for our youth Question #4

Rotary Programs for Youth Interact (high school); Rotaract (college) Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) For high school juniors Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship ($30,000) Graduate year abroad at a university Rotary Youth Exchange For high school students eager to be ambassadors Question #4

What is Rotary Youth Exchange? Rotary Youth Exchange is a program that provides thousands of young people with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and to experience their cultures. Each year, more than 8,000 students from over 80 countries travel abroad on an exchange through Rotary. The program plants the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding. Question #4

Who Administers the Program? Rotary Youth Exchange is administered by members of Rotary Clubs. All persons involved in administering the program are non-paid volunteers.. Question #4

Why Rotary Youth Exchange is #1 Careful interviews Thorough orientations Local support group (Rotary club) Activities provided by Rotary Low cost

Qualifications of a Rotary Youth Exchange student High school student ages Good student with above-average grades Willingness to adapt, learn a new language, and learn a new culture Initiative to get involved in activities Willingness to speak to groups Attitude of giving to others In short, have the traits of an ambassador Question #4

Youth Exchange Program Summary Two Programs Short Term Program Long Term Program Opportunity to experience new culture Opportunity to be an ambassador Opportunity to make friends for a lifetime Question #4

Short Term Program One on one exchange during the summer with another student & family No school attendance Hosted by exchange students’ families Normally 3 to 4 weeks in each country

Long Term Program Full academic school year Hosted by two to three families Supported by host Rotary Club and two Rotary counselors: one here and one in the host country

Long Term Program What Will The Student Do? Live with two or three host families Attend high school Make friends Get to know the area of the country in which he or she lives Obtain a greater understanding of the host country’s culture Become fluent in the language of the host country Speak at Rotary Club meetings

What Are the Student’s Responsibilities? Abide by all program rules of the host Rotary club and district Accept the supervision of the host district, host club, and host family Act as an ambassador for the sponsoring club, district, state, and country Be open to new experiences and cultural differences

Major Rules - The Six Ds! No drinking of alcohol No use of illegal drugs No driving of any type of vehicle No serious dating No downloading of objectionable materials No addition of body decorations (piercings or tattoos) while abroad

Where Will The Students Go? Our Rotary District 5890 has working relationships with the following countries: Argentina/ParaguayFrance*Sweden Germany*Taiwan*England** Belgium*Italy*Thailand Poland Brazil Spain* Ecuador The Netherlands* Denmark *also Short Term ** Only for Short Term

Costs of the RYE Program: Short Term - $2,000 - Air fare - Insurance - Incidental costs abroad Costs for hosting here for student from abroad Long Term - $6,000* - Air Fare - Insurance - Orientations - Language camp - Monthly allowance - Blazer, pins, slides *Host club provides an allowance.

Does it really cost $6,000 to send a student abroad for a school year? How much might be saved while the student is abroad for a school year? Cost of food for about 11 months Cost of car insurance (premium could be reduced while the student is gone) Cost of gasoline for the student for 11 months Other day-to-day expenses for the student

How Can the Student Work the Long-term Exchange into High School and College Plans? Go before completing high school OR go after completing high school. With careful planning with your counselor, it is possible to take required courses in advance so that when you return you can graduate with your high school class. If you have been accepted to a college, it is possible to defer admission for one year. Can defer scholarships also. Since people enter college at different times in their lives, there is no inherent disadvantage to entering a year later.

Benefits To The Students During their time abroad, the students learn to manage their time without mom and dad. mature considerably. learn another language. learn to think independently and creatively. learn to adapt to new and unusual circumstances. learn the nuances of another culture.

High schools in District 5890 with students going abroad 19 students for the full academic school year for – Humble ISD had 6 : Atascocita3 Brennan, Amanda Kingwood Park 1Kayla Kingwood 2Chris, Ashley, Jessica

High schools in District 5890 with Short Term students going abroad for 3 to 4 weeks during the summer of 2013 Humble ISD had just 1 of the 12: Summer Creek 1Klein 2 Rosenberg 1Klein Oak4 Clear Lake 1Cy-Creek 1 El Campo 1Brazoswood 1

Benefits To The Students (continued) Learn to make presentations to groups of people. If they return to complete high school, they can help other students learn about another culture and another language. do better in school because of personal growth If they enter college, place out of many hours of foreign language perform better because of personal growth

Key Dates – Pick up a Flyer October 24 and 28th Parent/Student Information Meetings November 2nd – Club Interviews Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8 District 5890 interviews; overnight Christmas party with other applicants and inbound students from across the world

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE An Opportunity of a Lifetime