Make a World of Difference

Posted by Joyanne Mitchell 
 

Are you a student? Do you want to travel the world, be an ambassador, teach people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas? You can help bring the world closer - and make some good friends in the process.

 

The Rotary Club of Olds is made up of volunteers who are involved in community service and work toward peace and understanding in the world. Through the network of 1.2 million Rotarians, in more than 32,000 clubs around the world, Rotarians create the extensive network that provides support for Youth Exchange.

 

Students, 15-19 years old, who are above-average in academics and who have demonstrated leadership in the community qualify to apply for either a long-term exchange (1 year) or short-term exchange (several weeks - 1 month). They must also be open to new experiences and cultural differences.

Currently the Rotary Club of Olds is hosting two long-term "out-bound" youth on exchange. Kagen Laut and Joe Crawford have travelled ½ way around the world to experience Germany and Thailand.

Kagen Laut has been in Germany since August 4th, 2007 . Kagen encourages other youth to apply to become an Exchange Student. He says "The Rotary Youth Exchange has meant so much to me, be it learning a new culture, language or even a new way of getting to school each morning. I have had a great time here since arrived in early August. Since then I have made lots of friends in my school and have taken part in typical German activities like the annual Oktoberfest in Munich , and the famous Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in Nuremburg. I have had the opportunity to travel to 7 different countries doing a bunch of different things, and I have 4 new countries coming up within the few weeks as I go on a 22 day long Rotary Euro-tour. Time here doesn't seem to want to slow down and that suits me fine. I haven't regretted doing this exchange once and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something fun and truly eye opening."

Similarly, Joe Crawford left for Bangkok , Thailand on August 17th, 2007 . He reports that Thailand is a place of extremes and that he has fallen in love with it. He enjoys the busy suburbs of Bangkok with shopping malls and bright lights and the quiet pristine landscape of the tribal villages in the north. While in Thailand , he has mastered the language and has many Thai friends. He indicated that he felt so fortunate to be able to take part in the three Olds Rotary/Thailand service projects; one (a women's halfway house) has already been completed. When asked about the impact of the exchange on his life, he said "Rotary has given me the opportunity of a life time, to live and grow in an entirely different culture; experiencing, learning and sharing ideas from one way of life to another".

"These are not the first exchanges that Olds has sponsored." said Debby Crawford, Youth Exchange Coordinator.  "Our Club was chartered in 2001. In 2003-2004, Olds sponsored Rachel Forestell on a trip to India . The Club also hosted Faye Costa from Brazil in 2003-2004 and Zsuzsanna (Susie) Csaki from Hungary in 2004-2005. Later, a short term exchange was facilitated between Kaitlyn Mitchell (Olds) and Camilla Gellini ( Italy ), in 2005."

While Joe and Kagen are abroad, Olds is fortunate to host one "in-bound" student Therese Hamre from Averoy , Norway - an island situated on the west coast north of Bergen . She has two sisters and one brother. 

 

She lives with host families while she is here; goes to Olds Jr. Sr. High School and volunteers at Olds Elementary School . She is a people person and she is a voracious reader of English literature; reading everything from Wilbur Smith to Harry Potter. Therese plans to be a Norwegian/English translator later in life.

 

While in Olds, she has had the chance to participate in many outdoor activities and has assisted with many Rotary service projects. Therese notes that people are extremely nice and welcoming. The most notable difference between living on the Alberta plains compared to living on an island in the North Sea - is the influence of the sea.

 

"I can without a doubt say that this Rotary exchange has been the best experience of my life. I've had so much fun, and met a lot of great people, and I know that I will come back here to visit several times in the years to come!"

 

Students who are interested learning more about youth exchanges are encouraged to find more information at www.rotary.org . Applications are available from local High Schools annually or from the Rotary Club of Olds. Applicants must complete a  written application and be invited to an in-person interview. From there, the Rotary Club of Olds selects a student and stays involved with the student for the duration of his/her exchange.

 

Rotary also supports youth leadership development through weekend conferences such as RYLA and RYPEN and short-term international exchanges. Youth exchange trips are designed to provide an opportunity to experience other cultures and open the doors to international understanding.