1. Why should you choose the South Central Rotary Youth Exchange Program?

The South Central Rotary Youth Exchange Program (South Central) is recognized internationally for the careful selection and orientation of candidates, for the responsible conduct of host families, and for the support of the host Rotary clubs. Because room and board is provided to students and the administrators are volunteers Rotary's Exchange Program keeps the costs minimal.

Students and their families pay for travel and for any optional expenses such as summer group tours. The host clubs provide each student a modest monthly spending allowance.

Exchanges are reciprocal. Rotary clubs sponsor students going abroad (outbounds). In exchange, as the responsible party, they receive students from abroad (inbounds).

Inbound students enrich the community, the school and the host family. A new perspective of everyday life in another country enhances international understanding and the appreciation of other cultures. The clubs, the host family, the communities and teachers have the opportunity to learn as they teach their guests about their new environment. It is truly an exchange.

2. What is Rotary International?

Rotary is the world's first and largest service organization. Founded in 1905 by four Chicago businessmen, Rotary International has grown to over 1 million men and women trying to make their respective

communities better places to live and work. Rotary International contributes to global aid, charities and organizations for the less fortunate. Because Rotary International is capable of crossing international borders through its members far more quickly than governments, it is able to provide humanitarian care to the needy people of the world when crises occur.

3. What is the South Central Rotary Youth Exchange?

South Central Rotary is an association of Rotarians in an 11-state area. We offer training, standardization of procedures and administrative support to Rotarians involved in Youth Exchange.

South Central Rotary Youth Exchange promotes international understanding and peace in our ever shrinking world by giving young people, at a critical time in their development, the opportunity to spend a year studying abroad with security and at reasonable cost. Our program is one of many exchange programs offered in the United States.

4. What are the costs?

Costs range from about $3,500 to $5,000. The major costs are airfare, insurance and personal allowance. Rotary clubs provide their hosted students with a monthly allowance and room and board. They also pay for school expenses. During the student's stay Rotary host organizations often arrange two to four week tours of their country or surrounding countries. These trips cost about $1,400 and participation is optional.

5. Who is eligible?

Any student who is over 15 and not more than 18 1/2 upon enrollment in school and has an above average academic record is eligible to apply

6. Is there a selection process for applicants?

The intent of Youth Exchange is to increase "world peace through understanding." The students selected are expected to be ambassadors for their community and country. The criteria for selection is based on the candidate's, good character, poise, academic record and the maturity to carry out their role as youth ambassadors.

The selection process begins with the sponsoring Rotary club which provides and reviews the application. Members of the club will interview the candidate asking what has motivated them to apply and why they think they should be selected. Upon successful completion of this process the candidate is notified and scheduled to attend a more formal regional interview.

The regional interview may take four-to-six hours. Candidates are interviewed by several panels consisting of youth exchange officers, former exchange students and current exchange students. The selection is completed within a week of the formal interview and candidates are notified of the disposition of their application.

A student's maturity and confidence level is a major consideration for selection.

7. Does South Central Rotary prepare the students it is sending overseas?

Yes. All selected students and their parents are required to attend orientation sessions. Typically we will have two or more mandatory weekend sessions, and some have an additional one-week orientation. The orientations include such topics as how to handle emergency situations, family and club relationships and tools for a more meaningful exchange. The students are provided hand out materials for home study. During these meetings, students often build strong bonds with their fellow students.

8. Do I have a choice of country?

The answer is a qualified yes. During the regional interviews, each candidate is asked for his or her choices. Students and their parents will be informed of the selected host country and if necessary given alternatives (along with an explanation of the specific reasons for the first choice denial.) Typically, students that have had to reconsider their choices of country have appreciated the selected country more than they thought possible.

9. Which countries are involved in the exchange?

Most European and South American countries, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines are involved in South Central Rotary's Youth Exchange Program. In an effort to broaden the view of students in less developed countries we host youngsters from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Eastern Russia on a non-reciprocating basis. Hosting a student from Azerbaijan, Estonia or Vladivostok can be a very rewarding experience for the host community.

10. When should I go?

The alternatives are after high school or during the junior year. An after high school exchange eases the transition to college because of the student's confidence and maturity gained from a year abroad.

Many prefer to go overseas during their junior year. Check with school authorities regarding the implications of missing a year. Consider summer school, doubling up on some classes, or returning to graduate from high school a year later.

11. Who will I live with?

During the year abroad the student will live with families selected by the host Rotary club. They will live with three or four families a year. Host families are usually Rotarians, but not always. In which case the host family is screened and approved by the host Rotary club.

Experience has proven that living with several families provides a better opportunity for the student rather than spending the entire year with one family. Students have the benefit and support of multiple host parents and siblings which gives them an appreciation of different lifestyles within a community, and affords them a wider family circle.

The root word of exchange is change. Change is not easy but it does teach adaptability, which is a very important life skill. Changing families allows the student to move from a difficult relationship to one that is perhaps, more compatible. The ability to adjust is a measure of maturity. Keys to a successful exchange are tolerance and adaptability.

12. If I have problems while I am living abroad, who helps me?

Rotary is unique in that it has an established structure to assist students should problems arise. Host families are the first source of help. If the problem is not easily resolved, or if confidential, the student has an assigned counselor in the host club.

The job of the counselor is to ensure the safety and well being of the exchange student assigned to him or her. They are advocates for the student within the community, the host club, and in relationships with their host families, their teachers, and their school. In the unlikely event of an emergency, the student should contact the host Rotary club president.

13. Will I be able to travel alone while I am abroad?

No. An exchange student is not permitted to travel alone. You may travel with your host family, or any Rotarian and their family. Any other travel must have permission from your host Rotary counselor. The counselor always needs to know where to contact you in the event of an emergency.

14. Will my parents be able to visit during my time abroad?

Yes. However, parents are asked not to visit during the first eight months. Experience has shown that an early visit interferes with the adjustment process. Parents are requested to contact the host club and family before making travel plans. Parents should not expect to be home hosted by their child's host family. Host families and club Exchange Officers are happy to assist parents with their plans and are good sources of information on lodging and travel. Boyfriend and girl friend visits are discouraged.

15. When my year is up may I stay longer or must I return home?

Exchange students are given a 12 month student visa and must return home at the end of that period.

16. Am I expected to do any public speaking?

Yes. Each student is expected to speak to Rotary clubs, at exchange student gatherings and to make presentations at schools and other public forums. Students are asked to prepare a series of photos, a slide program about themselves, their family, town and their country before leaving home. As youth ambassadors they are expected to share their life experience with their hosts and fellow students. This sharing is an important part of the exchange program.

17. Explain the relationship between inbound and outbound students.

We expect the parents of outbound students to host inbound students. The program is reciprocal. If you send a student you should be willing to accept a student in return. Parents should be responsible for hosting a student and to assist the local Rotary counselor in arranging for other host families. This makes the program work. The Rotary club is the responsible party and will not be able to maintain the exchange program without multiple well screened host families. Parents assume this exchange obligation.

18. What are the benefits of being an exchangee?

One obvious benefit is mastery of a foreign language. Many former exchangees receive credit for two or three years of language courses in college. Others have received credit for international studies, such as history, government and political science. All of them become better students academically.

Other benefits are subtle. Individuals may mature faster than their classmates. They have greatly increased their confidence level. They have a better awareness of them selves. Exchangees learn how to tolerate different approaches to problem solving and other people's views on subjects. Cultural tolerance is one of the great benefits of the exchange year.

Youth exchange prepares young people to become the leaders of tomorrow. It teaches them to peacefully seek solutions to global issues by sharing international perspectives.

Prepare for the multi-lingual 21^st global society!

19. Is the year-long program the only one offered?

No. Many Rotary clubs offer a summer exchange. Students go overseas and stay with a family for three to four weeks and then return with a student from that country for three to four weeks in the United States. Your local Rotary club will have the details.

Many other Exchange Programs are out there. Rotary is much less expensive - compare. Rotary's real advantage is that our supervision is simply superb! Wherever there is a Rotary Exchange Student, there are local counselors to assist and advise. We take our surrogate parenting responsibility very seriously.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

1. To further international goodwill and understanding by enabling students to study first hand some of the problems and accomplishments of people in lands other than their own.

2. To enable students to advance their education by studying at a secondary school for a year in an environment entirely different from their own and undertaking courses and subjects not normally available to them in secondary schools of their own country.

3. To broaden their outlook by living with and meeting people of different cultures, creeds and colors, and by having to cope with day to day problems in an environment completely different from the one they have experienced at home.

4. To act as ambassadors for their country by addressing Rotary clubs, community organizations and youth groups in their host country and by imparting knowledge of their own country and its problems to the people they meet during their year abroad.

5. To study and observe all facets of life and culture in their host country so that on return home they can pass on the knowledge they have gained to Rotary clubs, youth groups, schools and community organizations.

The local Rotary Youth Exchange organization is a member of the South Central Rotary Youth Exchange, Inc This multi-state group assists in training of Rotarians for their exchange responsibilities and orientation of exchangees.

South Central Rotary is a sponsoring agency of the United States Information Agency and conducts its exchange visitor program under the USIA's regulations..

The Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) The CSIET mark certifies that SCRYE complies with the standard set forth by CSIET for international educational travel programs

Visit our contacts page to find a Rotary Youth Exchange contact near you  for more information.