Candidates should be adaptable and flexible, well mannered, and want to learn about other countries and cultures. For most countries, students must be at least 1. Children of Rotarians and non- Rotarians are eligible and encouraged to apply. Why are Rotary’s student exchange programs better than other programs? The Rotary International Exchange Program is volunteer- driven. It is organized and administered by volunteer Rotarians and their families throughout the world within the local Rotary club, the district, and regionally. Rotary volunteers screen student applicants, select the exchange students, prepare them, and arrange hosting abroad, travel, insurance, school admission, visas, etc. As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you’ll spend a year living with host families and attending school in a country other than your own. FAQs; Program Information; Scholarships; FAQs. Who can apply for the exchange program? High School students of good character. While the hosting Rotary Club will discuss all program rules with you. FAQs for Potential Rockport High School Exchange Students Who is eligible to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange programs? Rotary Youth Exchange is open to high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 All of this is done by Rotarians as an unpaid service. Because we depend on volunteers, the Rotary Program is the least expensive, safest and highest quality program. Students are provided local supervision by members of the local hosting Rotary club, who are directly involved in the welfare of these students. Because of this close connection with local Rotarian advisors, students away from home are more comfortable knowing that Rotarians from their host club are available to help and offer guidance. Students often attend Rotary Club meetings and get to know Rotarians who are generally the local business and professional leaders of that community. Sometimes these connections benefit students later in life in their academic, business or professional lives. How will I benefit from being abroad? Living in a foreign country has a powerful effect on your maturing process. Managing your own finances and making decisions gives you more confidence and independence. You learn to think and converse fluently in another language. You develop more confidence in speaking before groups. You become more tolerant of other people, different cultures and different personalities. Your youth exchange experience will be priceless, something that you can’t replicate any other way. Is the MPRYE Long- Term Exchange Program officially approved? Yes! Through its membership in Wessex, http: //rotarywessex. Mountain & Plains PRYE is a member of the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), a nonprofit organization committed to setting standards for international educational travel and monitoring compliance with those standards. It is also approved by the U. S. Department of State. Why is it called an exchange program? Does that mean that my parents must host a foreign student? Hosting is not required, but strongly encouraged. A Rotary Club that sponsors students from its community to go abroad also hosts foreign students in exchange. Ideally, parents of outbound students will host a foreign exchange student for a part of the year and help the Rotary Club to identify at least 2 other host families that will be approved by the club. However, it depends upon your school system and the foreign school. To get credit, you MUST make arrangements with your local school in writing PRIOR to your departure. Universities may give up to 6 credits for a foreign language, but you must apply for it with that school’s administration. Do I have to speak a foreign language to be accepted? It depends on the country you select. The program is cultural and academic in nature. Generally, it lasts an academic year and requires that students attend the local high school which usually teaches in the foreign language. The need for a working knowledge or proficiency in the language varies depending on the country. For example, in India, schools teach in English, whereas in Romania they teach in Romanian. Knowing as much as possible of the language upon arrival in your host country is very beneficial. Mountain & Plains RYE also offers a Short- Term Exchange Program (STEP). STEP usually takes place during the summer months and involves two students, one U. S. Rotary Clubs in approximately 6. Also group tours may be arranged by Rotary which are usually at the student’s expense. You may not travel alone or without the permission of your host District. How many host families will I have? Rotary Exchange Students are generally hosted by two to four families during their stay, but always in the same school district. This allows for a broader understanding of the cultural and social/economic aspects of the region, while simultaneously allowing more families to participate in the program. This also encourages a variety of activities during the year. How much should I expect to pay? Many other exchange programs cost $1. In comparison, the long- term exchange program through Rotary should be viewed as a scholarship covering the costs of living and studying abroad for an academic year. Room and board for the exchange student are provided by the host family, but the student and the student’s own family assume certain financial obligations. The participation fee for students may vary from year to year as airfares change. The host Rotary Club will provide a modest monthly allowance (around $6. A program has been established by the Mountain & Plains District. Rotary Youth Exchange Committee to provide limited assistance for those students who demonstrate financial need. To be considered for local and district financial assistance, after you have been selected, a written request must be sent to your sponsoring Rotary Club no later than February 2. Therefore, each club or district program will have its own specific rules for students to follow. Students accepted into the program sign and agree to abide by a list of program rules at the time of application and prior to their departure from home. While the hosting Rotary Club will discuss all program rules with you, you and your parents may wish to review the program rules on your application form to be sure that everyone has a clear understanding of what is expected. Basic program rules consist of common- sense stipulations, such as no drinking, no use of drugs, no driving of any type of motorized vehicles and, especially important, the need to obtain special permission for travel while on the exchange. Rotary Youth Exchange . The Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program is a powerful force in promoting peace and understanding worldwide by exposing students to different cultures and opportunities. The Rotary program has operated successfully for over 7. Rockport High School students an opportunity to participate in an established program at reasonable cost. These materials will provide you with an overview of the program and the responsibilities of the students, host family and the local Rockport Rotary Club. History of Rotary Youth Exchange. Since 1. 92. 7, students and host families all over the world have had their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary's Youth Exchange program. Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multidistrict groups, the program today involves more than 8. The first documented exchanges date back to 1. Rotary Club of Nice, France, initiated exchanges with European students. Exchanges between clubs in California, USA, and Latin American countries began in 1. United States in 1. In 1. 97. 2, the RI Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a worthwhile international activity that promotes global peace and understanding. Ingrid Brown has volunteered as Rockport Rotary Club's Youth Exchange Officer. As the YEO, she coordinates the program, assists students with the application process, and identifies host families to provide accommodations for our inbound students. Contact information is in the sidebar at the top of this page. FAQS for Potential Host Families. Why host a Rotary Youth Exchange Student? Hosting a Youth Exchange student from another country is a challenge . Involvement with an exchange student challenges a host family to become familiar with another culture, while providing the opportunity to share a student's hopes and ambitions. These challenges and opportunities promise to enrich the lives of every member of your family. Because Rotary exchanges with more countries than any other exchange organization, you could have a student from one of 1. Not only will you provide an unforgettable service to a student from abroad, but you also will educate your family about the world around them. What are the host family responsibilities? You are also expected to exercise general parental supervision over the student just as you would your own children, and involve him or her in daily household chores and activities. However, most host families' involvement with their student does not stop at room and board. The families often share their native background while also learning about their visitors' culture. This does not mean that you have to arrange elaborate entertainment, but simply make the student a part of your family. Give him or her the opportunity to share in the same aspects of your family life that most teenage students experience in your culture. What are the student’s responsibilities? First and foremost, students are ambassadors of the Rotary club that sponsored them and of their country. They are expected to follow the Youth Exchange program rules, be open to new experiences, and strive to learn the language of the host country. The student and his/her own family will assume certain financial obligations. These include round- trip air transportation, clothing, health insurance, administrative fees and incidental expenses. What are the specific Rotarian responsibilities? Rotarians work to take care of the logistics of the exchange. As all Youth Exchanges are carried out at the local level, the local Rotary club and district will arrange school enrollment, tuition and other educational matters with the local secondary school (for long- term exchanges). All program volunteers are devoted to the safety of the students, and the host club and district maintain policies and procedures to protect the students. Local Rotarians also introduce the student to the other club members and organize some social and cultural functions for the student to attend. For long- term exchanges, the hosting club or district appoints a Rotarian counselor and arranges a monthly allowance for the student. The Rotarian counselor maintains contact with the host family and the student throughout the exchange. While Rotary International offers support to local Rotary Youth Exchange programs through publications and suggested guidelines, Rotary districts and clubs run their programs independently of Rotary International. Therefore, each club or district program has its own specific rules for youth exchange participants to follow. Must I be a member of Rotary to participate as a host family? No, one need not be a Rotarian to be a host family. Must I/we have children to participate as a host family? No. We are looking for people who enthusiastic and willing to host a student for 3 months of the year. How are host families screened and selected? If your family is interested in hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student, please contact please contact Ingrid Brown, Rockport Rotary's Youth Exchange Officer (see contact information in the sidebar at the top of this page). To ensure the safety and well being of students, as well as the success of each exchange, host families are carefully screened. All host families are required to fill out an application, which will then be reviewed by a committee of Rockport Rotarians. Then, a member of the Youth Exchange committee will come to your home for an in- home interview. During this interview, all family members are expected to be present. The in- home interview helps the chairperson determine the enthusiasm and willingness of all family members to host a student. Does an exchange student need to have his/her own bedroom? It is not required that you provide the student with a private bedroom in your home; however, a single bed is essential. Why do long- term exchange students stay with three host families during their stay? Because the primary goal of the Rotary Youth Exchange program is to promote cultural understanding, the best way for students to experience a wide cross- section of host country life is to live with more than one host family. Switching families during the student's stay also helps the student's ability to adapt to new environments and improve communication skills. Can the student go on vacation with our family? Most Rotary clubs and districts have strict rules about where and when a student may travel. Students are not necessarily prohibited from accompanying your family on vacation, but usually require written permission from their natural parents and the hosting Rotary club and district. In addition, if you are planning to leave the country on your vacation, it is advisable that you check the status of your student's visa. Some students are permitted entry into only one country entry during their stay. Will our family be compensated monetarily by Rotary for hosting a student? Rotary is not able to provide any monetary compensation for families that choose to host students. The reason why the Rotary Youth Exchange program does not provide compensation for host families is that it helps keep overall program costs low. Rotary Youth Exchange is the most affordable program of its kind, and is run entirely by dedicated volunteers. As such, students are not required to pay any kind of placement fee to participate in the program. This enables financially disadvantaged students and students from developing countries to share in the exchange experience. In the United States, families who host students may be eligible for a tax deduction. For more information, consult your tax attorney. How are the exchange students selected? It is standard practice for local Rotary districts and clubs to screen young people interested in Youth Exchange using detailed applications and interviews. This process helps to ensure that only highly responsible and mature students are sent on an exchange. Program administrators in the student's home country generally assess an applicant's scholastic record, linguistic ability, and general adaptability, among other qualities. FAQs for Potential Rockport High School Exchange Students. Who is eligible to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange programs? Rotary Youth Exchange is open to high school students between the ages of 1. The Rockport Rotary Club will annually sponsor: Provide 1- 2 RHS students annually an opportunity to study in a foreign high school as the guest of a Rotary club and host families in that country (outbound student). Provide 1- 2 high school students from other countries the chance each year to come to RHS and live with host families (inbound student). The Rockport Rotary Club sponsors two principal types of exchanges: Long- term exchanges usually last for an academic year. During your stay, you will live with more than one host family . Participants depart in August and return at the end of the school year. Short- term exchanges vary from a few weeks to three months. You will not attend school on a short- term exchange, but you will most likely live with a host family. On a short- term exchange, you will live with another family abroad. This type of program can be arranged for individual students or groups of students. A typical short- term exchange may involve you spending a few weeks living with a family in Australia, while your host . Virtually every politically stable country in the world has a host program, including all European countries and most Central and South America nations; Japan, India, Mexico, Israel, Indonesia and Malaysia. Why participate in a Rotary Youth Exchange Program? See the sidebars at the top of this page for contact information and links. You can also visit the main Rotary International website for more information.
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