From our DG April 2012
Posted by David Ling
on Apr 18, 2012
A month ago I saw an advertisement in the Good Weekend section of The Age for my old school, Caulfield Grammar School. The school itself has changed noticeably since the time I was there many years ago none the least of which is the creation of several new campuses including one in China. A part of the advertisement referred to this campus in Nanjing with these words: “Internationalism recognises that students are members of a growing global community and that the most effective preparation for this is through the intensive study of another culture.”
How true that statement is for the century in which we now live. In 2008 I was introduced to a book entitled The New Global Student written by mother, educator and teacher Maya Frost. In it she argues the case for enabling today’s students to get a truly international education and discover more creative ways to prepare for the global workplace. That is what this generation of high school students will need as they enter this period of internationalism.
A significant part of her thesis is to argue the importance of experiencing life in another culture and the “boldest advantage” for young people which is to be gained by spending a “yearlong high school exchange”.
She identifies several exchange organisations which create wonderful exchange opportunities for students but there is only one she picks over all others: Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program. Why?
Frost identifies FOUR BIG REASONS:
In her research, Maya Frost has spoken to over one hundred past exchange students and all had an incredible range of experiences. Nearly all agreed in their stories that
How true that statement is for the century in which we now live. In 2008 I was introduced to a book entitled The New Global Student written by mother, educator and teacher Maya Frost. In it she argues the case for enabling today’s students to get a truly international education and discover more creative ways to prepare for the global workplace. That is what this generation of high school students will need as they enter this period of internationalism.
A significant part of her thesis is to argue the importance of experiencing life in another culture and the “boldest advantage” for young people which is to be gained by spending a “yearlong high school exchange”.
She identifies several exchange organisations which create wonderful exchange opportunities for students but there is only one she picks over all others: Rotary’s Youth Exchange Program. Why?
Frost identifies FOUR BIG REASONS:
- The “enormous network of volunteers around the globe”
- An “unmatchable level of support to families and students”
- At “a considerably lower price than most other organisations”, and
- Rotary’s commitment to humanitarian work on both a local and global scale.”
In her research, Maya Frost has spoken to over one hundred past exchange students and all had an incredible range of experiences. Nearly all agreed in their stories that
- The year abroad was extremely challenging at times
- I learned so much about myself and the world
- I made friendships that remain among the most important relationships in my life
- My year abroad changed me profoundly as a person
- It was the most intense year of my life…and I recommend it to every young person I know.
But as a host parent or as a host Club, the Rotary youth exchange program also offers an opportunity to enrich the lives of the host family, the members of the host Club as well as the local community and the host school.
The former United Nations Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjold, said: “the longest journey of any person is the journey inward.” Intercultural exchange experiences provide an unmatched opportunity to undertake this inward journey.
In April, we should, as Clubs, be finalising our decisions to participate in a quite remarkable exchange experience.
It is also Magazine Month, a month in which we focus on the importance of our own regional magazine, Rotary Downunder, for all Rotarians. It is a condition of membership of a Rotary Club to subscribe
to The Rotarian or a regional magazine. Family members have only to subscribe to one publication but what a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge of Rotary and subscribe to both.
The former United Nations Secretary General, Dag Hammarskjold, said: “the longest journey of any person is the journey inward.” Intercultural exchange experiences provide an unmatched opportunity to undertake this inward journey.
In April, we should, as Clubs, be finalising our decisions to participate in a quite remarkable exchange experience.
It is also Magazine Month, a month in which we focus on the importance of our own regional magazine, Rotary Downunder, for all Rotarians. It is a condition of membership of a Rotary Club to subscribe
to The Rotarian or a regional magazine. Family members have only to subscribe to one publication but what a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge of Rotary and subscribe to both.