ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

2 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

3 What Does Rotary Do? Rotary’s service projects address such critical issues as: –Poverty –Hunger –Illiteracy –Medical needs (artificial limbs, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, eye surgery, and many others) –Eradication of polio –Providing safe drinking water to citizens of developing countries –Service to YOUTH is a major emphasis of Rotarians worldwide

4 Rotary Programs for Youth Interact / Rotaract (high school / university) Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) –For high school juniors Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship ($23,000) –Year abroad at a university Rotary Youth Exchange –For high school students eager to be ambassadors

5 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, over 9,000 students from over 80 countries travel abroad on an exchange through Rotary. The exchange program plants the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding.

6 Who administers the Rotary Youth Exchange program? Rotary Youth Exchange is administered by Rotary Clubs and their districts. All persons involved in administering the program are non-paid volunteers.

7 Who regulates exchange programs in the United States? The State Department The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) For our exchanges, Rotary International Note: If we do not comply with the regulations of any one of the above, then we lose the right to have exchanges.

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

9 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

10 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

11 For how long will the student be gone? It depends There are two programs –Short-term – 3 to 6 weeks in the summer –Long-term – full school year plus optional tours after the end of the school year The student will leave about August 1 The student will return about the end of June

12 Short Term Program One on one exchange during summer with another student No school attendance Hosted by exchange students’ families Normally 3 to 6 weeks in each country

13 Long Term Program For one school year Total immersion in the culture –Will become fluent in the language Hosted by 3 families (on average) Supported by Rotary club and two Rotary counselors: one here and one abroad

14 What will the student do on the long-term exchange? Live with two or three host families Attend 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

15 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

16 Where will the students go? Our Rotary District 5890 has working relationships with the following countries: ArgentinaEcuadorSouth Africa BelgiumFranceSweden BrazilGermanyTaiwan (China) Czech Rep.JapanThailand DenmarkPolandTurkey

17 Costs of the RYE Programs Short Term - $ Air fare - Insurance - Incidental costs abroad -Costs for hosting here for student from abroad Long Term -- $4,500 - Air Fare - Insurance - Orientations - Language camp - Monthly allowance - Blazer, pins, slides *Host club provides an allowance.

18 Does it really cost $4,500 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 10 months –Cost of car insurance (premium could be reduced while the student is gone) –Cost of gasoline for the student for 10 months –Other day-to-day expenses for the student

19 How can the student work the long-term exchange into his graduation and college plans? Most exchange students will be juniors or seniors - some will have completed high school With careful planning with his counselor, it is possible to take required courses in advance so that when he returns he graduates on time If he has been accepted to a college, it is possible to defer admission for one year Since people enter college at different times in their lives, there is no inherent disadvantage to entering a year later.

20 High schools in District 5890 with students going abroad For the year : Austin High (Ft. Bend)Klein Oak Challenge Early CollegePasadena Memorial Clear LakeSt. Agnes Cypress CreekSt. John’s Cypress WoodsStrake Jesuit Home schooledTerry High (Rosenberg) Klein Collins Klein High

21 Exchange Schedule Short Term –Club interview – Nov 8 –Dist Interviews – Dec 6-7 –Orientation -- May –Exchange -- Jun - Aug Long Term –Club interview – Nov 8 –Dist Interview–Dec 6-7 –Orientations – Jan, Mar –Orientation camp - June –Departure - August –Return -- following June / July

22 For More Information Web Sites: scrye.org rotaryyouthexchange.net Willowbrook Rotary Club Contacts: Gary Aguren (home) Anais Watsky (home)

23 Exchange for Teachers Group Study Exchange –Rotarian leads team of 4 young professionals to another country for 4 weeks, to serve as good will ambassadors –Training conducted for team members –Often trips occur during summer when teachers might have the opportunity –For more information: p/GroupStudyExchange/Pages/ridefault.aspx

24 Changing the World Through Rotary