Mission and Objectives of Rotary Youth Exchange

MISSION

Rotary's mission in sponsoring the Youth Exchange Program is to permit young people to learn the culture and language of a foreign country through active participation in family, school and community life in order to further international good will and understanding.

An important aspect of the Exchange program is to permit outstanding youth to develop their confidence, personality and maturity order to be more responsible citizens.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS

The following objectives are achieved through attendance at school for the year-long program and supervised visits through trips and visits to local attractions for the shorter programs. Host families and Rotary counselors are key to achieving these objectives. Exposure to cultural activities should be an essential part of the Exchangee's visit.

To further Rotary's goal of international goodwill, understanding and peace through world fellowship by enabling students to study at first-hand some of the problems and accomplishments of people in other cultures.

To enable students to further their education by studying in a different environment and by undertaking courses of study in subjects not normally available to them in their own schools.

To urge students to broaden their outlook by learning to live with and meet people of different cultures, creeds and colors and by coping with day-to-day problems in a new environment.

To act as ambassadors for their country and communities by addressing Rotary Clubs, community organizations and youth groups in their host countries therefore by imparting knowledge of their country to people they meet during their year abroad.

To enable students to study and observe all facets of life and culture in their host country so that on their return home they can share the knowledge they have gained with their peers and family.

The specific objective for the long term exchange is total immersion in the culture of the host country. It is expected that the year long Exchangee will be educated in the language, history, geography, social mores and current affairs of the host country.

The objectives of the short term programs are to provide general orientation and exposure to another countries culture.

The objectives of the disabled youth programs are to permit participants to broaden their outlook to the best of their abilities.