Youth Exchange News!

 
From Past President Lori Brown: My duties as the Club Rotary Youth Exchange Officer, YEO and Rotary Counselor:
My job is to serve as liaison between the student, Rotary club, host families, and community at large, the job plays a crucial role in the success of the Youth Exchange program. I serve as the student’s primary Rotary contact, easing his or her transition into the country and the community through regular personal contact throughout the year.
I enjoy working with young people and advocate on behalf of the student should any issues arise during the exchange.
                                                                                                                                                           
 
 
As counselor I have the following additional responsibilities:
 
• Establishing contact with the student before departure or arrival, explaining the expectations of the club and the district and maintaining and documenting regular contact (at least once a month)
• Counseling the student in matters such as choosing classes, making friends, and participating in activities
• Helping the student adapt to the culture and language
• Working with the community and the student’s school to ensure that the student is involved in positive activities and community life
• Informing the student about abuse and harassment prevention and creating a supportive atmosphere in which the student feels comfortable discussing any concerns
• Serving as an advocate for the student in any matter
 
As a Rotarian Counselor and YEO I was required to attend seminars and meeting to be trained to respond to problems or concerns that may arise during the exchange, including allegations of abuse or harassment.
 
A Counselor is assigned to every outbound and inbound student in all exchange programs. Outbound counselors prepare students for the exchange and maintain regular contact while the student is abroad.
 
 
 
Matthew Pringle, our Outbound Student, recently graduated from Chaminade College Preparatory School. He will be doing a gap year Exchange in Belgium.
Matt is an extraordinary combination of both brains and creativity. Not only was he the head engineer for his schools competitive robotics team but was also in choir and played the vibraphone in the marching band. He enjoys hiking, backpacking trips and racquetball. 
Matt enjoys science, math and engineering and is an avid reader of social science books.
Matt has three sisters Rebecca, Cathy and Jessica. Middle sister Cathy participated in the Rotary Exchange Program going to Germany in 2007. 
His parents Robert and Linda will be the first host family for our inbound student Max. 
 
 
Our Inbound Student Julian Maximilian Jetter, Max, will be attending his senior year at Royal High School. 
Max lives in Leonberg, Germany, a small town of about 45,000.
In Leonberg Max attends a school for elite athletes. Max also plays Goalie for the Schoolboys National Ice Hockey League. He has traveled to Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Norway with his league. Max has already been accepted to play with the LA Kings High School League during his stay in the States.
Max enjoys history, geography and social studies and speaks French, German and English.
Max's father Rainer is a Detective Chief Superintendent and his mother Chantel is an Undertaker.