BRIDGING THE GAP From Rotary District 9940

NZ - Australia Matched Student Exchange Programme Introduction Purpose - to foster awareness and understanding between Australians and New Zealanders Annually involves New Zealand secondary school students

The Exchange A NZ student is matched with an Australian student Each student spends one school term living in the other’s home and attending their school

The Exchange (Cont) Exchanges available to students aged between 13.5 and 16 years on the 1 st January in the year of the Exchange Each student is sponsored by a Rotary club The student’s School must agree to support the Exchange

Qualifications Required To participate in the Exchange the student should: Be a good average student with wide interests Have a sound general knowledge Have a responsible attitude

Qualifications Required Be of good character Have the ability to mix well Have a willingness to enter fully into the Exchange

Student Benefits An opportunity to be away from home and be “independent” in a supervised environment The experience to be part of another family and attend another school in another country Personal development and growth

Student Benefits (Cont) Extends confidence and maturity Learning to budget and take responsibility Academic progress can be continued

How Students Apply Through “Expression of Interest” Forms via their school by 30 th June Full application forms completed and returned by 31 st July

Selection Process Applicants and their parents are interviewed by members of the sponsoring Rotary clubs. Suitable students are recommended to the District Committee The District Committee interviews all recommended applicants and their parents to select students Final Acceptance to the Exchange will depend on a suitable student match being available

Obligations of Students Students must: obey the laws of the host country accept the discipline of the host school and host parents adapt to the home environment of the host family act as an ambassador for their country behave in a manner which reflects well on their family, community and country

Cost to Families $ $4, approximately Covers travel to and from Australia, internal flights, travel & medical insurance, airport departure taxes, the week long Safari trip in Australia and general expenses - personal items and gifts

Rotary Club Costs $ per student paid to District Committee This covers a Rotary jacket, polo shirt, name badge and business cards Rotary meeting meal costs that the student and their family are invited to attend

Rotary Club Committment Interview prospective students Appoint a Counsellor who has a key role to play in the Exchange The Counsellor’s role is to: Communicate with the NZ and Australian families and their Australian Counsellor

Club Help If you know of any student who may benefit from this programme please contact your club Youth representative or me Note: Clubs are not required to find host families

Student Feedback “What I got out of this Exchange was making friends from another country and gaining more confidence in myself” “One of the greatest things I had to deal with was being out of my normal surroundings and being without my family and friends for three months”

Student Feedback (cont) “I am extremely grateful that I was able to do this Exchange. I can highly recommend it to everyone who want to do this” “The Exchange has changed my life for the better and has made me more confident. Also I have made friends who I know I will always try to keep in contact with”

Students For Dearna ReadFoxton Benjamin Lousley Pahiatua Laurence ChurchmanWellington Leigh BathgateUpper Hutt Madeline AhernUpper Hutt Shea-lee PhillipsWanganui Briar DickinsonWanganui Stacey HubandFeilding Kelsey KauriPalmerston North Kristin ZanderPalmerston North Charlotte CookPalmerston North

KEY DATES 16 Oct 10Orientation / Selection & Debriefing Day 28 Oct 10Matching Conference (CAIRNS) 27 Nov 10Counselors Orientation Day 1 Dec 10Matched Students Notified 16 Mar 11Orientation Day 2 Apr 11NZ Students to Australia 25 Jun 11NZ / Aust Students to NZ Aug/Sept 11Aust Student Safari 17 Sept 11Aust Students Return Home