An invitation to become a Host Family
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is one of the most recognized and is considered the most excellent of many youth exchange programs.
Each year well over 7000 secondary school students participate in this program worldwide. Students are typically between the ages of 16 and 17 years of age. Rotarians and other people voluntarily open their homes to these students as host families for periods of approximately 3 or 4 months.
This time provides an opportunity to develop a lifetime of friendships, to learn about a different culture and gain many other rewarding experiences.
As a potential host family you have the opportunity to participate in this most rewarding program. The benefits will be many and far reaching for your family if you accept this offer to be a part of this international Rotary program.
When you host a student in your home you give yourself an opportunity to broaden you own horizons and those of your family. Your own children will get to know and understand another culture and make a new friend from the other side of the world. Suddenly, the world will be a smaller and friendlier place. You have given yourself a friend, a person who will remain part of your family for a long time to come.
Rotary Youth Exchange is an opportunity for everyone to learn, to grow and to participate in the promotion of international understanding and friendship. Rotary’s support network of Clubs, Counsellors and the District Youth Exchange Committee provide close contact and a team support structure second to none in student exchange programs. Each participating Club is your first contact and subsequent follow up for the many aspects of the program.
What type of families are typical hosts for exchange students?
The answer to this question is all types. Some families have no children of their own, a grown up family with no children at home, or small children. The only proviso for any potential host family is that it provides a stable and friendly household and is approved by the hosting Rotary club.
What will the duration of the hosting period be?
This would normally be between 12 to 14 weeks of a 12 month exchange. During this time the student is obliged to go to school and participate in all school activities. Students are expected to become participating members of the host family and share in all of those responsibilities. At times there will be some commitments to their host Rotary club. Indeed you may also find that you become involved in some of the club’s activities.
What makes hosting a Rotary Exchange student a good choice?
Rotary insists that students have a reasonable academic standard, some spoken English as well as an ability to act as an ambassador for Rotary, themselves and their national country. All students have received training which prepares them for their year of exchange. This training is provided in areas of public speaking, understanding cultural differences, getting on with people etc.
What to do now?
By completing this invitation form, there is no commitment on either yourself, or by Rotary for you to host a student at any time. Your interest will simply be recorded and you will be contacted if an opportunity becomes available. There will be certain mandatory requirements regarding personal checks and a personal interview process to further discuss all aspects of the program before any further commitment is sought.
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