A New Approach to Youth Exchange

It became obvious at Melville that although people were interested in the Youth Exchange program, there were less and less people willing to take on boarding and hosting a young person from another country for an extended period of time.  In 2011 they, in discussions with the Rotary Club in Austin, Texas embarked on a new approach to overcome some of these difficulties.  This new approach included a Club to Club exchange for a shorter period of time.

 

The individual clubs are responsible for selection of students - which are taken from Year 11 students at local schools that are associated with the club.  Usually about 4 - 6 students are selected based on their written application and their interviews.  Students who get to go, are also required to take in an exchange student at some other point in the year so the prospective host families are also involved in the interview process.

 

The exchange is during the long summer holiday so it works very well when a group of students from the southern hemisphere is matched with students from the northern hemisphere.  Our students go there in December/January and the Texan students come here in July/August for about a month.  They attend school with the host child and are expected to do several presentations - at the school and at the local Rotary club.

 

The cost of the exchange is fully funded by the parents of the child who goes; and when they accept the incoming student they also pay for hosting the visitor.  Whilst on exchange students get to engage in vocational activities - by attending school with their host; cultural activities and social activities as well. 

 

David is currently talking with other Rotary Clubs in England and in the USA who have expressed an interest in this new style of Youth Exchange.  He will be looking for local Rotary clubs to match up with these clubs so the program can continue and expand.  Currently the Rotary Club of Kalgoorlie is developing their own exchange with the Rotary Club of Niagara.

 

This is a group Youth Exchange, which runs alongside the short term Youth Exchange program - which is set up for individual students. 

 

It certainly gives us something to think about.  Ascot has long been a supporter of the Rotary Youth Exchange program and for many years been involved.  Maybe this is an alternative option for us?

 

Thank you David.  Food for thought.