Meredith Sponsored Youth Exchange

Posted by Daniel Whitney on Aug 01, 2024

Meredith Rotary Club Youth Exchange Program

Annually, 8,000 students from more than 80 countries participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program worldwide, which offers two distinct opportunities: Long-term exchanges last a full academic year, and students attend local schools and live with multiple host families. Short-term exchanges last six weeks and are often structured as camps, tours, or homestays when school is not in session.

The primary goal of Rotary Youth Exchange is to provide young people with opportunities to experience a cultural exchange and develop as leaders who promote peace and justice worldwide.

Reasons to be a youth Exchange student:

Incredible support system with rotary
Personal growth
Learn about other cultures/your own as well
Creates unbreakable friends and connections

Long-Term Youth Exchange Program

This phenomenal cultural immersion program provides an opportunity to spend an academic year abroad. Students who participate in the program describe it not as a year in their lifetime but as a "lifetime experience within a single year." The Meredith Rotary Club typically sponsors up to two students to participate in this program each academic year. To qualify, a student should be between the ages of 15 and 18 1/2, in the upper third of their academic classes, of good character, emotionally stable, and in good physical condition.

Most importantly, they must be able and willing to be a good ambassador. We typically send students during their Junior year or "gap" year between high school graduation and their freshman year of college. Gap-year students must be 18 ½ or less by August 1st of their exchange year. Typically, ten countries accept postgraduates compared to about 40 countries for juniors. Students interested in applying for an exchange during their junior year or gap year should indicate their interest no later than April 30th of their freshman year or junior year respectively.

Exchange students have a full year of orientation before going out on exchange, and Rotary provides a tremendous support system. The student, or the student's family, is expected to pay travel and insurance costs and give some spending and emergency money. The total cost is typically $3,800 to $5,400 but could range to $8,000, depending on airfare and the cost of Rotary-sponsored events in a particular country. Scholarships are available on a financial need basis for highly qualified students for the program. The host Rotary club and family provide room, board, and schooling.

A Long Term Program print summary page can be accessed on this link.

Short-Term Youth Exchange Program

This is a unique cultural exposure program that takes place during the summer. Over twenty countries (20) participate in this exchange program. Applicants for this program are matched with another student in the country of their choice, and then the families work out visitation details and dates. The typical time each student spends visiting the other one is three (3) weeks.

The typical exchange costs are about $300, plus the cost of round-trip airfare between your home and the foreign country and a passport and visa fee (if necessary). Students interested in participating in this program should indicate their interest by January 1st of the year they wish to participate. This program is not just about visiting a new country but about mutual learning and growth for the visiting student and the host family.

A Short Term Program print summary page can be accessed on this link.

The Eastern United States - Short Term Student Exchange page can be
accessed on this link.

The Short Term Program Student Testimonial print summary page can be
accessed on this link.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine.

Hosting an Exchange Student from a Foreign Country

The Rotary Youth Exchange program also brings young people worldwide to the Meredith area to learn about the United States, promote understanding of different cultures, and study in a new environment. The Meredith Rotary Club hosts up to two (2) students each academic year. Students typically live with two host families during their 10-month stay and attend Inter-Lakes High School or Moultonborough Academy.

While the foreign students are enriched by this experience, hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange Student will enrich the lives of you and everyone else in your family in ways beyond most imaginations. It is no surprise that we have had several repeat host families.

For every student we send on a long-term exchange, we must host a student. Therefore, we hope that families of students selected for the long-term program are willing to host a student for ½ of a year, if at all possible, either during the time the student is on exchange or the year before or after the student goes on exchange.

A Host Program print summary page can be accessed on this link.

To Contact the Meredith Rotary Youth Exchange Team

For more information about being a long-term or short-term Rotary Youth Exchange student or host family or to express interest in the program, please contact:

Dean Gulezian at H: 603-677-7172 C: 631-235-8654

or dean.gulezian@gmail.com.

Meredith Sponsored Youth Exchange

Long-Term Youth Exchange Program

Short-Term Youth Exchange Program

Hosting an Exchange Student from a Foreign Country

To Contact the Meredith Rotary Youth Exchange Team

About Meredith Rotary Club

Rotary at a Glance

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