Rotary Club Youth Exchange:
Have you considered Participating with the Youth exchange program by Hosting an Exchange Student with the Rotary Youth Exchange? Youth Exchange students are a unique selection of students from around the world who have been screened by their local Rotary Clubs to represent their area. Exchange students are cultivated to be a youth ambassadors for Rotary, for their town and their country. The Youth Exchange students are adventurous, flexible and open to learning about different cultures, lifestyles and experiences.
Hosting a Youth Exchange Student can be a life changing experience for the student, and a chance for you and your spouse or family to make a beautiful contribution in the life of a young person.
History:
The Youth Exchange Program is one of the stellar programs offered through Rotary International. Since 1927, 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 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.
The Petaluma Rotary Club has been an active supporter and participant in the Youth Exchange Program for many years. In the last 6 years, the Petaluma Rotary Club has shared the responsibility for hosting the exchange student with the Petaluma Valley Rotary Club and the Petaluma Sunrise Rotary club.
How it works:
Participating districts and their clubs are involved in both choosing the outbound student portion of the program as well as hosting the inbound student. The host family/host counselor is involved in meeting and greeting the student and orienting them to their family. Once the inbound student arrives in Petaluma, the student is registered for high school and begins their life here in town.. Besides giving the students an opportunity to study in a different educational setting, the Rotary Youth Exchange broadens their cultural exposure to different lifestyles and living standards. The program encourages them to develop their communication skills and to participate in their host country and family daily life routines.
All participating clubs have certain commitments and responsibilities to both the inbound and outbound students. We have been entrusted with the life of a wonderful young person, and need to provide them with a learning environment where they can be supported in their growth. Most club responsibilities are straightforward. There is a small budgetary commitment. Some things are obvious, such as hosting exchange students at club meetings, invite them to our family dinners and activities and have them share their experiences with us. Our club is fortunate to be able to split these responsibilities with our fellow clubs in Petaluma.
Choosing the Outbound Student
An important responsibility for all clubs is the selection process for the outbound student. This is a rigorous process of advertising, selecting, and interviewing prospective candidates. Becoming part of the selection committee is a great opportunity to meet some of the fine young people here in Petaluma and contribute to their growth and learning.
Club Involvement with the Inbound Student
The commitment for the inbound student has the greatest impact on the entire club. Beyond the obvious involvement in welcoming the student and arranging school registration, the KEY to a successful exchange for all parties, is the participation of the Rotary club and the host family.
Becoming a Host Parent
Please consider becoming a part of the ever-growing number of Rotarians who receive thousands of young people each year for the experience of a lifetime.
How long is the commitment?
Hosting a student is a rewarding experience for both the exchange student and the host family. The host family is responsible to host the student for about 3 1/2 months. The student receives a small stipend from the Rotary club during their stay for a monthly “allowance”. This year we are asking that the host family make a short commitment of hosting- either from after Thanksgiving to mid March or then to the end of the school year.
Who can become a host family?
Although it is preferable that the host be part of the Rotary family, most any family who is willing to open their home to a student and allow that student to part of their family during his/her stay can participate. The Youth Exchange Counselor and Club Youth Exchange committee orients and supports the new host family and is on point for any challenges.
You do not have to have children at home to participate as a host family, because the student will be housed in three different homes during their yearly stay in Petaluma and will get to have three different family experiences, some with children in the home and some without. The student can share a room, be housed in a non children home, or stay with a non Rotarian family. It’s optimal when members of the club “adopt” the exchange student and invite them to participate in club and family events. If you have children, young ones, tweens or teen-agers, they will get a very broadening experience by being with an exchange student and very often make life long friends.
The major requirement is the willingness to open your home, your heart and give of your love, guidance and support to a special young Rotary Ambassador!
If you or anyone you know might consider hosting our student or just needs further information, have them contact me.
Lili Goodman Freitas, Tri Club Youth Exchange Coordinator - (707) 778-1382
Terri Bryant, Petaluma Valley Youth Exchange Counselor - (707) 763-4540
Ron Harris, Petaluma Youth Exchange Counselor - (707) 763-2020
Susan McGuire, Petaluma Sunrise Youth Counselor
Rotary International Youth Exchange | District 5130 Youth Exchange