Rotary Youth Exchange

Rotary Youth Exchange is one option when it comes to high school foreign exchange. It is the program I used to go to Thailand. Many people regard it as the best program choice. I wouldn't know much about the others but i do believe that is easily agreeable.

This is taken from Rotary's website: "Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas." Rotary also had a major part in curing polio.

As for the Youth Exchange program, it has been running since 1927! Every year kids from over 80 countries are sent to another to explore a new culture and way of life.

During your exchange, you will be in close contact with with a counselor and many other members of Rotary if you have a problem. Rotary in your host country will help take you places you may want to visit. They also program several trips for you to go on. All host families go through an application process, to make sure they are able to care for a new "child." They try to integrate you as part of the family really.

Cost of the program really vary, but most stay around 5,000 dollars. That includes round trip airfare (open ended ticket), a monthly allowance, business cards, possibly a blazer, and other items. The program is run all by volunteers, so you get a good bang for the buck.

If you would like to learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange, I suggest you talk to your high school councilor. They can usually put you in contact with a Rotary District in or close to your city.

For more information, please visit: http://www.rotary.org/. You may find the Youth Exchange page under RI Programs.

I will be covering more on Rotary in later issues.

Bud D.