We Say “Good Bye” to Youth Exchange Students

While learning first-hand about American culture and teaching us about their way of life, Maren and Hideki each resided with three different host families and attended New Trier high school. They participated in many school and many Rotary sponsored activities including RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). Throughout the local Rotary district twenty-two students gathered from around the world to participate in this year-long home stay program. Many Rotary organized activities afforded these students a tremendous opportunity to build friendships and understanding amongst peers representing dozens of countries spanning the continents. “This has been the best experience of my life”, Hideki told the club during his year-ending presentation. Maren added “Getting to know students from all over the world, it’s changed my life so much.”

Soon after bidding farewell to Miss Liven and Mr. Tsuji, the club will welcome Miss Pranali Raskapoor from Surat, India in August to begin her year as an exchange student at New Trier. Also next month, the club will welcome home Miss Zoe Nunez, who just finished a year of study abroad in Germany.Rotary Youth Exchange is for high school aged students who are interested in living and studying abroad for one year. Its goal is to promote the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace at the person to person level. Students experience the opportunity to learn a new culture and language and make friends for a lifetime.

Interested students should know it is not a vacation...instead it's a cultural and academic exchange that lasts a full school year (11-12 months). Students attend school, are hosted by families (normally 3-4 for a well diversified experience) and are supported by a local Rotary club and Rotary counselor. Exchanges are made with over 40 countries. Participating students receive extensive training before leaving for their year abroad, and develop lasting relationships with other outbound students. To qualify, students must be in the top half of their class, be between 16 and 18 ½ at time of departure, and be willing and eager to learn the language and culture of their host country. Applicants need not be related to a Rotarian, but should be able to adjust to a new and different culture/country. They must be willing live apart from their families for a full year and be open to new and different cultural experiences.

Rotary makes arrangements with the local host high school, recruits and arranges host families, and provides numerous Rotary sponsored experiences where students develop lasting relationships with other exchange students from all over the world, in addition to providing a small monthly allowance for spending money. Students and their families are financially responsible for the cost of airfare, insurance, passport and visa expenses, and additional spending money for the student while abroad. The largest expense for families is the cost of airfare which varies from country to country.

Students interested in learning more should contact the Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield (info@wnrotary.org) or visit www.rye6440.org for detailed information. Applications for local students interested in studying abroad in the 2012-13 academic year are due to the club by September 30, 2011, and may be found on the club’s website. Families interested in hosting inbound student Miss Raskapoor from India should contact the Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Club.