1. Welcome students and parents! Nǐ Hǎo Bonjour Bok Salut Konnichiwa
สวัสดี
Welcome students
and parents!
Olá
Hej
Hallo
Hola
Ciao
Namaste
привет

2. Meeting Overview: Registration and Informal Discussion Time
Part I: RYE Basics with Q&A
Part II: The RYE Application Process; Selection,
Notifications and Training Info
Final Q&A

4. “The best year of my life
started with the worst three months of my life.”
- Maya Frost, The New Global Student

5. What is Rotary?
World’s oldest and most respected international service organization
1.2 million Rotarians worldwide
34,282 Rotary clubs, 530 districts in 200+ countries
Celebrated 100th anniversary in 2005
Respected for elderly, handicapped, environment and youth
Rotary Motto: “Service Above Self”
Rotary Theme : “Light up Rotary”
The Four Way Test
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOOD WILL and better friendships?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

6. Where is Rotary? Rotary in Florida: 8 districts 400+ Rotary clubs
First club: Jacksonville, 1912
Involved in projects, local & global
District 6970: (Largest Program)
60 Clubs
12 Counties

7. Five Avenues of Service
Club Service: Strengthening fellowship & networking while ensuring the smooth functioning of the club
Vocational Service: Serving others through our professions and aspiring to high ethical standards – sharing skills and expertise through our vocations, and inspiring others in the process
Community Service: Projects and activities that improve life in the local community
International Service: Expanding Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the world and promoting world understanding and peace
New Generations: Recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adult

8. Why Join Rotary? Professional networking Opportunity to serve
Personal growth
Friendship
Cultural diversity
Good citizenship
World understanding
Social events
Community involvement
Ethical environment

9. Local Rotary Clubs Ponte Vedra Beach Sunset Tuesdays 6pm,
TPC Sawgrass Club House
Ponte Vedra Beach Sunrise Thursday 7:30am, Marsh Landing Country Club
Jacksonville-Oceanside Tuesday 7:30am,
Casa Marina Hotel
and Restaurant

10. Rotary Youth Exchange Details
District-to-district program
Established exchanges with partners we trust
Started in 1927, now more than 8,000 exchange students per year, 82 countries participate
Operated completely by volunteer Rotarians as part of Rotary’s commitment to international and community service, and it’s respect and concern for youth

11. Purpose of the RYE Program
Offer high school students an opportunity to spend a year studying in another country learning the language, discovering the culture, developing skills and maturity
Bring the world into our local communities through friendship
Promote Rotary’s goal of world peace and understanding, one person, one exchange at a time

12. What IS Youth Exchange? Rotary International Program
Students from all over the world
“Ambassadorial” or cultural exchange
Building bridges of good will between different cultures – one student at a time

13. Exchange Vocabulary
Outbound  Student selected for exchange to another country
Inbound  Student visiting from another country
Rebound  Student returning from an exchange
Rotex  Youth Exchange Alumni who have been back home from exchange for more than 1 year

14. Current Exchange Countries
Finland
Denmark
Brazil
Japan
Taiwan
Norway
Estonia
Italy
Faroe Islands
Czech Republic
Poland
Switzerland
Thailand
Ecuador
Sweden
Netherlands
Hungary
Turkey
Russia
South Korea
Paraguay
Belgium
Argentina
Indonesia
Chile
Slovakia
Spain
India
Croatia
Austria
Greenland
Iceland
Lithuania
France
Germany
Peru

15. 2014-2015 RYE Inbounds 81 RYE students from 35 countries
23 RYE students in District 6970
Madlen Gerick – Germany Rotary PVB
Jimmy Wu – Taiwan Rotary PVB
Kaisla Heikkila – Finland Rotary PVB Sunset
Lorena Couto – Brazil Rotary St. Johns
Masha Nikitina – Russia Rotary Mandarin

16. How’s an exchange set up?
District Coordinators discuss at International Conferences
Exchanges are reciprocal (1 for 1)
Exchanges must meet each others’ standards:
Host family screening
Student recruiting
Language requirements
Education
Structure

17. Why be an exchange student?
One of the most exciting and life-changing opportunities of a lifetime:
Meet and conquer challenges
Enhanced understanding of self, family country and world
Impact on college admissions and future success
See another part of the world… travel
Friends for life… worldwide!
Fluency in a foreign language

18. What RYE looks for in potential students
Level of Maturity
Degree of Independence
Adaptability
Leadership Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Ability to Make Friends
Respect for Others
Interest in Other Cultures
Caring
Willing to Learn
Motivation
Intelligence
Curiosity
Family-Oriented
Manners
Integrity
Strong Character
Open-minded
Good Health
Considerate
Ready to Work
Good Judgment
Sense of Humor
Self Confidence
Patriotism
Honesty
Helpful

19. Program Costs $150 Non-refundable application fee $4,950 program fee
Includes round trip airfare, room & board, medical insurance, orientations here and abroad, blazer
Host club provides monthly allowance – approx $75
Does not include passport, visa or spending money
First $450 due with sign-up for January orientation – refunded if student cannot be placed; forfeited if student refuses valid assignment or drops out
$900 payments due Feb 1, March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1
Emergency Fund for host district - $300-$500

20. Basic Expectations of RYE Students
Adapt and bond with host families
Learn the language
Immerse in the culture
Perform will in school
Get involved with Rotary, school and community
Follow RYE Program Rules and Conditions of Exchange
“Adapt of Fail”

21. Other Expectations Trust RYE Use RYE support system to solve problems
Submit journals to our website:
Favorably represent our country and Rotary
Successfully complete your year
Participate in our “Welcome Home Event”
Speak at Rotary Clubs and RYE presentations when invited

22. Program Rules No Driving (not insured)
No Drinking Alcohol (USA-21 years of age)
No Drugs
No Dating (discourage romantic relationships)
No Working (Can not hold a PT or FT job)
Must Attend School (J1 Visa)
Traveling – Only With Host Family & Rotary District
Visits from home (March or April from parents)
Phone calls, s, Skype (Limit to twice a month)

23. 2014-2015 RYE Outbounds Dustin Garner Germany NHS
Parker Hamilton Japan NHS
Jake Mason Thailand PVHS
Zach Johnson India PVHS
Stuart Brown Germany PVHS
Julianne Kelly Turkey PVHS

24. Questions students may have:
Do I get to choose my destination?
Do I have to know the language?
What will I do in school?
Will I have teenage host siblings?
What if I have problems with the family?
How do I know if this is really for me?

25. Questions parents may have:
Who will my son/daughter live with?
What will they do?
Who is going to look out for my child?
What about insurance?
How will it affect schooling here at home?
How much contact will I have with my child?
Can I visit my daughter/son during the year?
What kind of kid will I get back?
Do we have to host an exchange student?

26. Selection
District Interviews – Nov. 15th &16th at St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine
Notification of acceptance/rejections by second week of December
Final acceptance dependent on successful completion of orientation programs
Country notification by late December

27. Preparation Orientation #1 – January 9-11, 2015
Language Workshop – TBA April 2015
Rotary District 6970 Conference – May 1, 2015
Orientation #2 – June 12-14, 2015
Departure dates range from late July to early September, depending on destination

28. The Application Process
Attend Information Meeting
Contact District Counselor for club interview by October 12, 2014 
Complete Club Interview (No later than October 31)
Complete and submit RYE Application (No later than November 1)
Attend D6970 District Interview (November 15th or 16th)

29. RYE Home Interview Every RYE Applicant must complete a Home Interview
Contact Jeff Hart, District Counselor to arrange an interview
Deadline for completion of Home Interviews
is October 31, 2014

30. The Application Process
Application due to district no later than November 1st
1 complete copy with original signatures (IN BLUE INK)– computer-entered or typed (hand-written applications will NOT be accepted)
1 copy of school transcript
Copy of passport or birth certificate
Confidential School Reference direct to District YE Outbound Vice-Chair
Medical and dental forms
Student’s letter and parents’ letter to host family
Remember your application is your first impression
Notification of interview date/time by Nov. 8th

31. Tips on the application
Medical and Dental forms
May be submitted later, if necessary
Deadline: November district interviews, may impact selection
Have office make all copies after exam and forms completed, but before doctor or dentist signs in BLUE ink
Recommended that you keep 1 application set for you records

32. Tips on the application
Page 1: Section A (Personal Information)
Last name in all CAPS
Need signature from both parents or notarized RYE Custody Form
DO NOT FILL OUT #3: Sponsor District and Rotary Club portion
Club sponsorship done after acceptance into program

33. Tips on the application
Page 6: Section C (Medical History)
#7 Be sure results on TB test are noted
At start of Physical Exam info: complete height and weight line
Certification blocks correctly checked
Doctor signs the form in BLUE ink
Last Block: Original form stamped/typed with doctor’s info (Physician’s address, phone, and fax)

34. Tips on the application
Page 7: Section D (Dental Exam)
Should read: #1 Yes, #2 No, #3 No (or, if yes, explain)
Same procedures as on medical forms
Hand dentist your BLUE pen when it’s time to sign the original form
Page 8: Section E (Endorsements)
Fill out top portion, then move to next section…
Fill in your home phones and info only DO NOT SIGN OR DATE!
Your signatures must be witnessed by Rotarians at District Interviews
Do NOT complete Sponsor Club/District Endorsement (done later)

35. Tips on the application
Page 9: Section F
Complete top portions only!
Do NOT fill in rest of form
Page 11: Section G
Do NOT complete 1st section
Complete Emergency Contact Info only

36. Tips on the application
Page 12: Section H (Country Preferences)
Read directions carefully and mark only 5 preferred countries
May refuse as many as necessary, but may impact selection
Pay careful attention to notes and age requirements
Be sure to sign and date
Page 13: Secondary School Personal Reference
Page 14: Section J (Host Family Referral Form)
D6970 will verify referrals prior to District Interviews
Falsifying referrals grounds for invalidating application with no refund

37. Expectations of Parents
Love your kids, and try to understand what they want to do. Give them wings and your kids will think you are the greatest parent alive.
Allow the students to manage the exchange
Reserve the orientation dates on your calendar – they are required
Abide by Rotary rules and guidelines
Phone calls, s, skyping
Visits from home
Trust Rotary, and work through the Rotary system if problems occur
Host a student in return

38. Why Rotary? Why Now? Decades of experience
Award winning District 6970, CSIET
2013 North American Youth Exchange Network
2013 “Gold Certificate” Award Winner – NAYEN
Rotary’s unrivaled support system
Volunteers who truly care
Best value by far
Why Now?
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Chance to make a difference, change the world

39. Questions?

40. Thank you for coming! ขอขอบคุณ спасибо Xiè Xiè Merci Hvala
teşekkür ederim
Arigatō
ขอขอบคุณ
Thank you
for coming!
Obrigado
Tak
Danke schön
Gracias
Grazie
Dhanyavaad
спасибо