LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAM FROM THE STUDENTS!

http://haleyinsweden.blogspot.com/ Haley is in Sweden!

 http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Eden-Jean/  Chandler is in Denmark!

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program

• The Youth Exchange Program began 30 years ago with the objectives of encouraging world peace and understanding through youth and developing cultural education for young people.
• 100% volunteer Rotarians managing more than 7,000 students per year exchanging between 160 countries.
• Program is focused on cultural exchange with a requirement for attending high school during the year exchange.
• Strong supervision by the Rotary Club and District here and abroad creates positive environment for both inbound and outbound students and the hosting families.
• Cost-based program for the student making it one of the most inexpensive exchange programs world-wide.
• Rotary host clubs and local families provide room, board, a small financial stipend and logistics for high school attendance.
• Strong student selection process and orientation prepares students between the ages of 15 and 18 1/2  years old (when you depart on the plane) for a year abroad.
• Students are selected based upon emotional maturity, high academic achievement and social skills.
• Students typically learn another language by total immersion, acquire great skills for independent decision-making and develop lifetime family relationships with the hosting families.
• Students are described as “young ambassadors” for their home country.

What are the qualifications to participate as a student in Rotary Youth Exchange?

Generally, a student who intends to apply for our program needs to:

• be a sophomore or junior at the time of September interview by the local club,
• have good grades,
• be outgoing and participatory in your community and/or school,
• be able to choose multiple countries as possible places of travel,
• be emotionally stable (able to manage stress and make decisions well),
•  have parent(s) or guardian(s) who whole heartedly supporting the exchange,
• be willing to speak in front of Rotary groups, and
• be able to fund the costs of exchange.

  The fulfillment of these qualifications will be determined by a preliminary interview during the month of September or October with several members of the Rio Rancho Rotary Club and a second interview and orientation weekend with the District 5520 Youth Exchange Committee.

   

  What are the qualifications to become a host parent/family?

  The family needs to:

  • Have a strong desire to learn about another culture,
  • Want to provide a student room and board for between three and six months,
  • Want to share family events and activities while providing family rules and structure,
  • Be open minded about the possibilities of what you may learn about yourself, your new family member and the world!

  For more information on student exchange please contact Sloan Carr, Youth Exchange Officer at 505-363-5920 (email sloan@sloancarrcpa.com ) or Joe Roos, Club Counselor at 505-379-6603.