Rotary Club of Barrie - Youth Exchange Program

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Youth Exchange Program

A Brazilian student makes her first snowman in Finland. A South African masters eating with chopsticks at his Japanese hosts' home. An Australian becomes part of an extended family in Russia, and a Mexican student in France raises funds to benefit homeless children in Haiti. New experiences, new "families" and friends, and new adventures can await you, too.

This year, more than 8,000 teens will see the world the way it is best seen — from the inside out — through the Youth Exchange program. This could be your year.

As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will spend a year, or perhaps just an extended period of time, living with a host family in a country other than your own. You may learn a new language; you will learn a new way of living and a great deal about yourself. But there's more. While you are busy learning, the people you meet will be learning as well — about your country, culture, and ideas. You will be an ambassador. You will be helping to bring the world closer together, and you'll be making good friends in the process.

If you are ready for the challenge and the rewards of living in another land as an exchange student, then you are ready to discover new worlds through the Rotary Youth Exchange.

Before you make any decisions about The Rotary Youth Exchange Program, you should review all the information on Rotary International's website at Rotary Youth Exchange, then if you are still interested in exploring the idea further, you can download the following documents:

Candidate Direction

Youth Exchange Consent

Application Form

Follow the instructions below:

YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Selection Process – September, Each Year
Outbound Students Only

ROTARY EXCHANGE - This is an opportunity for a student between the ages of 15 and 17 to experience ONE YEAR IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

AGE REQUIREMENTS - Students must be at least 15 on date of application, but less than 17 as of July 1^st (year of application)

CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP- It is required that all candidates be Canadian citizens

PERSONALITY - Applicants must have an outgoing and pleasant personality to fit them for the role as an “Ambassador”, for Rotary and their country. They must have the ability to accept discipline and be capable of adjusting to new and different living conditions, cultures, customs, food and language. Applicants must be of good character and reputation.

COST - Although Rotary is the sponsor and facilitator of the Exchange Program, there is cost for the family of the successful candidate. Families can expect the experience to cost in the neighbourhood of $5,000.00 Cdn for the year abroad. This includes return flight (open ticket required), incidental expenses and optional travel while in the foreign country. Most Rotary Clubs provide a monthly “allowance” to Exchange Students, but this varies from Club to Club and country to country.

************* THE PROCESS ************

1. Get application form from school general office or Guidance department or (the easy way)... from here.

2. Complete form and return to School Office, or mail/deliver to:

ROTARY EXCHANGE COMMITTEE
35 McIntyre Drive
Barrie, ON
L4N 2H3

3. Attend an information meeting to be held in the fall of 2004. For students and parents.

4. Candidates still interested after the information meeting will be asked to provide the following:

Prepare a 1 to 2 page essay discussing a) why you wish to participate in the Exchange Program and b) why you feel you are a suitable candidate to represent Canada in general, and the Barrie area in particular.
A consent and direction for your school guidance counselor or student advisor to release information to our committee, related to your suitability as a participant in the Exchange Program (Form will be available at the information meeting)
A reference from an “arm’s length” adult mentor such as a coach, subject teacher or other extra-curricular instructor.