Our R.I. President has announced that no Rotary youth exchange can occur until after June 30, 2021 because of the pandemic. Our multidistrict (OE, Ohio-Erie) is committed to doing all it can to have a short term exchange this summer and a long term exchange in the Fall 2021. We can still have a short term exchange after June 30 and the Fall exchange as well. Some say there is no way the world situation will be safe by that time. If the short term exchange cannot happen this summer, then I expect the short term exchange will be virtual as it was this last year. The long term exchange should encounter less difficulty. If the pandemic persists then, of course, there will be no exchange, except perhaps virtual. However, our multidistrict will prepare the students for the exchange even though it may have to be postponed and rescheduled. There is even discussion of raising the age limits if confronted with another postponement. With whatever adjustment is necessary, we are committed to keeping the students safe.
Covid 19 has been hard on the Youth Exchange, Last Rotary year our students have for the most part had to end their exchanges early---both the inbound and outbound. For months we had no idea when the program would resume. Of course, no one can know for sure, but our multidistrict organization, OE, is now committed to a program for 2021- 2022! Unfortunately, that decision came late, but given the state of the world, we understand. That means we must consider that both the Long Term Program and the Short Term Program are a "go" for the next Rotary year.
So, what is the upshot of all this? The upshot is HELP! We need to recruit students for the Long Term and Short Term Outbound Program NOW. For the Long Term Program we have only this December to recruit and put together applications. Unfortunately, this timeline does not appear to be flexible. The Short Program timeline is a little longer and more flexible but still presents a difficult challenge. Your District Youth Exchange Committee is asking that each Rotarian, and friends, identify high school students who are prospects for these programs and tell us about them, or better yet, make sure the student contacts one of the Committee members (see the District website) to express interest. They can express interest through the 6630 Website at the link "Youth Exchange" or contact one of us using the contact information on the website.
We do need to be realistic, so if we cannot get commitments for 2021-2022, there is always 2022-2023 and beyond. But we cannot give up on next year!
I have been with the District Youth Exchange Committee since 2013 and I can say that, in all those years, most students in the Long Term Program call their Exchange year the "best year of their life". Believe me, I am not exaggerating. But it does take a special kind of student. They must be good students, because the program really is a "study abroad program". They need to be ready for adventure and to extend their life experiences beyond their own community. They should want to open their eyes to new cultures to gain perspectives about our own culture. They should want to become fluent, or understand the need to become fluent, in a language other than English. They should want to test their own skills to be independent. They need to value the need to build
strength of character to face adversity in life and develop problem-solving skills which will benefit them throughout life. In short, they should want to be better prepared for life's challenges, whether in pursuit of a career or advanced education. There is no doubt the students come back as stronger individuals. and with a better resume. As one returning outbounder reported:" [t]he year I spent on my exchange saved my life". She is now on the path to success in higher education. Why would you not want a result like this for the young people in your family or others who you know to be good candidates? By the way, Rotarian family members and non-Rotarians are eligible!
The Program is known to many as "the Rotary scholarship for high school study abroad".-ln fact, it really is a scholarship. Rotary provides for your schooling abroad, often at a private school, and further provides for room and board with host families who have been meticulously qualified to ensure the well-being of the student. The actual value of those services has been valued at anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000. The student pays for an administrative fee of $1175, insurance for around $1000, the cost of the flights, and spending money. All of this is immensely more inexpensive than if the student would utilize a private, "for profit" organization for a year-long exchange. And, I have been personally told by State Department officials that they are not worried about Rotary. It is the "for profit" groups that produce the most trouble. We play it by the rules and do our best, through committed and fully vetted volunteers with professional backgrounds, to produce a respected and safe program.
For some, the year abroad in the Long Term Program does not fit their life plans--at least not just yet. A great way to test the waters or simply get a valuable experience with memories that will last a lifetime, is the Short Term Program. Basically, it is an eight week program., and is a family to family exchange. The American student and family are linked up with a foreign student and family. Choices are given so the families can agree they are compatible. The American student goes to the foreign family and lives . with them for four weeks (usually). Then the foreign student returns with the American
student and lives with the American family for four weeks. The students become fast friends for life and often the families visit each other. What a great way to build a close relation to those in other countries! Truly, the Short Term Program lives up to the RYE credo: we will build world peace one student (and one family) at a time. There is an administrative fee of $450 and the student must bear travel expenses. The families provide room and board. Is it worth it? Ask PDG Jim McKee whose daughter went on three separate short term exchanges during high school!
The countries we exchange with include most of western Europe, select countries in Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, and at various times Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Columbia), and select countries in Asia,(Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and India). The students choose the countries they want for their exchange and rank them. We do all we can to make sure the students get their first choice or close to it.
Want to learn more? I am sure your prospective candidate will want more information. It is all there at "Youth Exchange" on the District website. Don't even think about it---just act. Give the gift of a life-changing experience to a deserving young person. Find that great candidate for the Rotary Youth Exchange!
Bob Heydorn, Rotary District 6630 Youth Exchange General Chair.