How brave are you? Could you walk away from your friends, your family, everything you have ever known, to live in a new country, culture and language, and be completely self dependent? Are you like most teens, and that totally scares you, or did you just say "
Wow, I could!" Rotary Youth Exchange applications are being accepted through October 31 for the 2010-11 school year. Local high school students are eligible to apply for two programs: long-term students live for a year in their host country and attend high school, while the short-term exchange program matches pairs of students to live in one another's home for a few weeks each over the summer. Tracy Carroll, of the Treasure Coast Rotary Club, chairs the District 6930 Youth Exchange Committee. She says, "Rotary has the premiere exchange program for students to develop language fluency through immersion, meet new friends from around the planet, and experience a different culture. Today, 11 local high school students are living their dream - a school year abroad. You could just dream of going there someday... or dream while living there next year! College admission officers love former Y.E. students - they already have the confidence and maturity most applicants don't."
Students participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange program must be academically strong, articulate, have demonstrated leadership skills, be flexible, and must act as ambassadors of the USA. Good grades in past language classes are required; fluency is not. Rotary Youth Exchange is the least expensive international exchange program, and is considered a "scholarship" as students participate for little more than the cost of airfare, insurance, orientations and clothing. Volunteers worldwide administer the program, room and board are provided by volunteer host families, and the host Rotary club overseas pays any school tuition as well as a monthly allowance.
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. Visit www.rotary.org for more information. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 33,000 Rotary clubs, over 50 clubs are in District 6930, from Titusville to Boca Raton.
Rotary Youth Exchange Florida involves more than 30 countries and close to 200 students this year. For more information, to register for an October informational parent meeting, and to download an application, visit
www.ryeflorida.org .