A GUIDE TO ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE. PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE CREATE A SAFE, COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN.

A GUIDE TO ROTARY A GUIDE TO ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGEYOUTH EXCHANGE

PROMOTION OF INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE

CREATE A SAFE, COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS CAN LEARN ABOUT OTHER CULTURES

ENABLE STUDENTS TO ADVANCE THEIR EDUCATION BY STUDYING ABROAD

TO ACT AS AMBASSADORS

Carl-Wilhelm StenhammarRotary International President,

2005-06

Why do you feel the Rotary Youth Exchange program is so important?

“One of our goals is to create peace and better understanding between people. I think Rotary’s Youth Exchange program is the best way of doing that. My dream is for every 17-year-old to become a Youth Exchange student. If we could achieve this, there would be no more wars.”

1927 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SHORT-TERM EXCHANGES

SCOTTSBLUFF-GERING AND VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – 1ST INTERNATIONAL YEAR-LONG EXCHANGE – 1958

1972 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ESTABLISHES AS OFFICIAL PROGRAM

CURRENTLY: 80 COUNTIES PARTICIPATE SENDING 8,000 STUDENTS EACH YEAR

Long-Term Exchange◦ Academic year

Short-Term Exchange◦ Home stay◦ Camps

New Generations Exchange◦ 18-25 years◦ 3-6 weeks◦ Vocational or community service element

No other organization is better suited.◦ 1.2 million Rotarians around the world, largest

service organization in the world; 32,000 clubs create an extensive network of support

◦ 50 years of exchange experience.◦ Financial ability to provide an affordable

program for students and their families.◦ Availability of families who want their children

to have this experience and who are interested in having foreign students in their home.

Maya FrostAuthor – “The New Global Student

How to pick the right exchange program?

“There are many other organizations creating wonderful exchange opportunities for students, but I’m going to focus on only one. I have my own personal reasons for recommending it, but even if I didn’t, I’d pick Rotary International over all others, hands down.”

An enormous network of volunteers around the globe.

Unmatchable level of support to families and students

Offers its exchange programs at a considerable lower price than most other organizations.

Rotary International is committed to humanitarian work on both a local and a global scale.

Low costs – Rotary club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families.

Selection and orientation process starts 9-12 months before the student leaves on exchange

Application process starts at club level

DISTRICTCOMMITTEE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON:

Appointed by the District Governor and responsible for stimulating, coordinating and promoting club participation.

COMMITTEE: Responsible for final selection of outbound students, oversees travel arrangements, visa processing and placement of the students within the District Clubs.

Total Budget – approximately $100,000/year (including Bus Trip - $75,000)

District Assessment - $2500 + clerical support

OB Application Fees - $11,000 IB Registration Fees - $8,000 Not a Rotary Foundation Program

DISTRICT 5440 TO ONE OF 15-25 DISTRICTS IN EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA, CENTRAL AMERICA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA

WE SEND A STUDENT TO A PARTICULAR DISTRICT-AGREE TO HOST A STUDENT FROM THAT DISTRICT SOMEWHERE IN D5440

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico Australia Belgium, Czech Republic/Slovakia,

Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland

Taiwan, Thailand

Each club has a Youth Exchange Committee The Committee is Responsible for:

◦ Execution of Club Compliance Agreement for Youth Protection Policy

◦ Interviewing and selecting students◦ Placement of the students referred to their club

within families in the community◦ Act as liaison between exchange student, family,

school district and district exchange committee◦ If a club sends outbound students, they must

accept equal number in return during the same year; however clubs may host a student even if they do not send one.

TO SEND A STUDENT:◦ recommend that club

assist with application fee - $600

◦ Club banners

TO HOST A STUDENT:◦ monthly allowances -

$100-$125 suggested◦ $375/student for

District meeting registrations

◦ Gifts for birthdays, Christmas

◦ Meal costs at Rotary meetings, other functions

◦ May assist with cost of Southwest Trip

Students between the ages of 15 and 19 (depending on the laws of the country) and not graduated at time of application.

Children of Rotarians are eligible but do not receive preferential treatment

Students who will make good ambassadors:◦ Academically above average top 1/3 of class◦ Community leadership skills◦ Well-rounded personalities◦ Good character and reputation◦ Inquiring minds◦ Adaptability and flexibility◦ Complete and unqualified support of parents

Maturity Level Ability to exercise good judgment Compatibility with Rotary goals Health, both physical and mental Number of students district can support

24-26 Sept 2010 - Inbound Student Orientation – Wyoming Wilderness Camp - Esterbrook,

Wyoming 31 Oct, 2010 Outbound Applications due to

District Committee 4 Dec, 2010 - Outbound Student Interviews -

Cheyenne, WY 28-30 Jan 2011 - Inbound Ski Week-end – Grand

Targhee Ski Area - Wyoming April 22-24, 2011 - Outbound Orientation -

Douglas, WY May 12-14, 2011 - District Conference –Greeley,

CO June 12-26, 2011 - Southwest Bus Tour July - Aug 2010 - Outbound Departure to Host

Country

To insure success of program

Contractual arrangements with other countries dictate some rules

Safety and security of students is highest priority

In the event of an emergency (civil unrest, injury, accident or death of student), the club MUST contact the District Youth Exchange Committee Chairman prior to making any other calls.

Established protocol for handling any crisis

Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact.

Policy Selection and screening Training Support and communication Program participants

Students are prohibited from:◦ Drinking◦ Driving ◦ Drugs◦ Devotion◦ Delinquency◦ Downloading◦ Disfigurement

Obey the laws of the country they are in.

Travel with an adult chaperone and only with the permission of host parents and district chairman.

Attain passing grades

Not work for wages Carry health insurance

through Rotary Not smoke Attend mandatory

District Rotary meetings

Be a good ambassador for his or her country

And Most Importantly . . .

Students travel on an education visa

Cultural Insurance – CISI/Bolduc – leader in educational travel and cultural exchange insurance market

All students must carry a policy sanctioned by Rotary regardless of family insurance

Some host countries require students to purchase an additional policy unique to that country

Plan A is required for Outbound Students (if student is required to purchase insurance in host country, that takes precedence)

Fee is paid at or after Outbound Orientation Plan B is required for all Inbound Students

(with some exceptions) and must be paid within 30 days of arrival to U.S.

Applications accepted by local clubs in fall. Local club interviews applicants and makes

selection Selected applicant is advanced to district

interview level by end of October Nov/Dec - District interview process Country placement Orientation - late spring Departure - July/August

Airline ticket $300 emergency fund $600 application fee Rotary-approved health/personal liability

insurance ($300-$600) Visa, passport expenses Medical exams, immunizations Extra spending money while there Business cards and trading pins, gifts Motel, meals and travel expenses for District

interview and District Orientation meeting. Both parents/guardians are required to attend.

Bus tours

District InterviewsDecember 4th – Cheyenne

Outbound Orientation – April 22-24 - Douglas(Must attend with parent(s) or guardian(s))

OUTBOUND STUDENTS

2010-2011

District Chairman selects students to be sent to Host club

Host Club arranges suitable host families of good character - not necessarily Rotarians

3-4 Host Families is best Appoints Club Counselor who cannot be

host parent Provide with monthly allowance Provide transportation to Rotary

functions

Keep student’s passport and airline ticket in a safe place in club’s possession!

Collect $300 emergency fund! Students must stay until school and District

Conference are finished. Make sure student has made return airline

reservations by March

Exchange Visitor Program Rules◦ English Proficiency◦ Medical Insurance◦ Orientation◦ Between 15 and 18.5 and have not

completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary school (i.e. cannot have graduated in home country)

◦ Must notify District Committee State Department liaison of date student arrives in U.S. and when they depart

Most students arrive in July/August - leave following summer

Some Southern Hemisphere arrive in January

Required by Department of Homeland Security

Within 10 days of move to different host family

Failure to report punishable by fine or imprisonment and/or deportation

Ask fellow Rotarians to host Ask fellow Rotarians to ask families they

know Ask families who have or are sending their

child on exchange Youth Exchange Alumni Host Families do not have to be Rotarians Single parent is o.k. if same sex as student

or if other children in home

Inbound OrientationSecond/third weekend in September

Inbound Ski Week-

EndJanuary

WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME WE HAD!

Sending a student home, while difficult, is necessary if that student put the program at

risk.

Student or parents request the child’s return due to homesickness, illness or family problems

Violation of Rotary Youth Exchange program rules

Lack of Commitment to Program on Student’s part