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Each
year Rotary Youth Exchange gives thousands of young people worldwide
an
opportunity to experience the cultures and accomplishments of people
in other
countries.
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The exchange provides a unique opportunity for young
Australians to experience at first hand the many cultures of a different
country, a new way of life and in some instances another language. Often, the
friendships they make will be life long and important in achieving the aims of
the exchange - the building of goodwill and understanding between countries.
As you’re learning, you’ll also be teaching the people you
meet about your country, your culture, and your ideas. You’ll be a young
ambassador, helping to bring the world closer together and making some good
friends in the process.
During your exchange, you will grow considerably in
self-confidence, tolerance and self-reliance.
You'll also learn to accept greater responsibility in your
everyday life.
You will have to adapt to unfamiliar and different
surroundings and ways of life that are different from home.
For some this will be the first extended period of
separation from their family. This will bring about many trials and
tribulations which you will need to overcome and by so doing develop many
"survival skills".
During your exchange your board and accommodation are
provided by host families, under the direction of Rotary International.
Rotary Youth Exchange offers the chance to be a part of
either a short or a long term experience.
Long Term Youth
Exchange
Rotary International Youth Exchange Program (YEP)
The Long Term Youth Exchange (LTYE) program is for students
aged between 15 and 17. As a Long Term Rotary Youth Exchange student, you'll
spend up to twelve months living and studying overseas. The exchange is between
a Rotary Club in Australia and a Rotary Club in the corresponding country.
District 9520 currently exchanges with these countries: Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Netherlands,
Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and USA.
Three or four host families normally host students over the
period of their exchange. Some with children at home, some older families with
more time to devote to the student. All families have been interviewed and
approved by the hosting Rotary Club.-
All students will attend secondary school whilst in their
host school, as they are on a residential student visa. This will often involve
taking lessons in a foreign language.
Each student is supplied a home counsellor (from the
sponsoring Rotary Club) and also a host counsellor (from the hosting Rotary
Club). These counsellor are put in place to ensure each student has avenues of
contact if needed. The District Youth Exchange Committee also allocate a
District Country Coordinator who ensures your exchange is as problem-free as
possible.
To live away from home for the 50 weeks duration of the
exchange is a demanding yet rewarding experience. It is not always smooth
sailing and requires a great strength of character, tolerance and an
understanding of the acceptance personal responsibility.
Short Term Youth
Exchange
Rotary Australia New Zealand Student Exchange (RANZSE)
The RANZSE program is aimed at year 9 and 10 students. It
involves spending one school term in New Zealand, and then the matched New
Zealand student spending one school term in Australia (reciprocal). It is a
family-to-family exchange.
The program is run by some Rotary Districts in Australia,
but not all of them. Each year it alternates as which country hosts first.
Roughly 60 students are involved with this program each year. It lasts six
months in total.
Families are very carefully matched using a lot of
accumulated data to ensure compatibility. Students are matched, where possible,
with students of similar interests in the other country.
The costs of the exchange are mainly covered by the
participating families. Sponsoring Rotary Clubs in Australia provide a Mentor
for both the outbound and inbound student and also supply a Student Exchange
uniform for the outbound student.
Full information and
application forms are available at the following links:
Rotary District 9520 Youth Exchange web site
http://9520.ryea.org.au/
Rotary Youth Exchange Australia web site
http://www.ryea.org.au/
Other links
Rotary International Youth Exchange web site
https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/exchange-ideas/youth-exchanges
Contacts for District
9520
Long Term Youth Exchange – Rotary International Youth
Exchange Program (YEP)
Contact Gayl Sparnon (D9520 YEP Chair) p: 0488 448 131 e:
chair@rotaryyouth9520.com.au
Short Term Youth Exchange – Rotary Australia New Zealand
Student Exchange (RANZSE)
Contact Geoff Oertel (RANZSE Co-ordinator) e: D9520ranzse@gmail.com