By: Kathi Perkins, RC of Westbrook-Gorham
Chair, District Youth Exchange Committee
Are you interested in learning more about Rotary’s youth exchange programs? Our District is part of the Eastern States Student Exchange, or ESSEX, which offers long-term exchanges for high school students during the school year and short-term exchanges during the summer. The summer program is particularly exciting as it is a true exchange: a student from District 7780 is matched with a student and family in another country. Then the families decide how long the exchanges will be (3-4 weeks), which student will travel first, and the dates of the exchange. Each family is a host family for 3-4 weeks, but the students spend 6-8 weeks together, half in each country. There is little responsibility for the host club as there are no expenses except inviting the students and host family to a meeting or two and/or involving them in a community service or social event occurring while the visiting student is in the U.S.
Please check out the ESSEX website exchangestudent.org. There are sections for the Long and Short Term programs, becoming a volunteer, and information for clubs. Applications are being accepted now – we already have three! Also, at the District Website on the Youth Exchange subpage under Photo Albums is a presentation of a recent exchange between District 7780 and France at Youth Exchange - Short Term France 2019.
Kathi Perkins is the District Chair of the Exchange Committee. Please contact her at 207-253-1778 or kperkins1@myfairpoint.net if you would like more information, would like to be a member of the District Exchange Committee, and/or would like Kathi to speak at a club meeting.