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Rotary Youth Exchange Group Study Exchange Nelson West

 

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Rotary Youth Exchange in District 9970, New Zealand

Studying abroad is the best experience high school students can have to enhance their lives and expand their horizons before college, author Maya Frost says in her book, The New Global Student.

In this handbook for students planning to travel abroad and their parents, Frost writes that although hundreds of organizations offer exchange programs, Rotary Youth Exchange is the best option hands-down.  "Every person I've talked to who went through Rotary's exchange program has, without exception and in every case, told me that it has positively changed their lives forever," says Frost. "It's an extraordinary program."

Frost's articles on education have been featured in more than 125 media outlets. She dedicates an entire chapter of her book to Rotary, offering tips for parents, stories from former Youth Exchange students, and information about the benefits and challenges of the program.

Frost is not a Rotarian but has been involved with Youth Exchange for years. Her husband, Tom, and three of their daughters have participated in the program. Their experiences with Rotary were what inspired her to include the organization in the book, says Frost.

She hopes Rotarians can use her book as a promotional tool for Youth Exchange. "I think the chapter on Rotary gives Rotarians an opportunity to easily explain what Youth Exchange is about and how it impacts students' lives," she says. "The testimonials are an amazing example of what students are doing with their experience."

The NZ students (not French or Sth American) stop over briefly in LA and are hosted by Westchester Rotary - Warren Bobrow.
Warren and his team look after our students on the way to and from exchange in the US, Canada, Mexico & Europe.  This job they have been doing for more than 25 years which I understand our Travel man Roger Miller had something to do with in the early days.  Thanks guys - much appreciated.

 

The Quakes - the effects are widespread...

The effect of the quakes on our programme is with hosting.  Half of our clubs are in Christchurch and are unable to host for a long time.  I hope January 2014 will see Christchurch back into hosting students.  In the mean time, we need Ashburton, West Coast, Marlborough and Nelson to take up the slack.  We will take in less students and hope that some of our partner districts will operate a two for one for a year or three.

 

NZ District Chairs of Rotary Youth Exchange

This picture was taken in Auckland, 12 June 2011 at the annual District Chairs Meeting.

The six NZ Rotary Youth Exchange Chairs meet to discuss the programme and ensure compliance and continuance.  Also with us is Roger Miller from Travelcom (Tauranga) who organises all of our student travel and insurances.  Roger has done this for the last 20+ years.

From Left,  Ross Loomans (9930), John Faul (9980), John O'Connell (9940), Jennie Nicol (9980 retiring), Colin Sanderson (9930 Retiring), Murray Butler (9970), Roger Miller (9930/Travelcom), Neil Murray (9910) and Graham Rae (9920).

 
Axel SNikeAxel DBruna

NathalieRomuLaura

Christine (absent)

The picture shows our current inbounds during August 2010 Orientation


From bottom left clockwise: Nathalie Meessen, Axel Schuhmann, Nike Kron, Axel Dagnas, Bruna Fontes, Laura Buchler and Romulo Ramirez.  Christine Mendes was absent.


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The Rotary International Youth Exchange (RIYE or RYE) Programme commenced in 1929 and is an official programme of Rotary International.  The programme currently involves more than 8,000 students annually with Rotary Clubs in over 80 countries around the world. 

RYE is a 12 month overseas exchange programme for young people of secondary school age (15½ to 17 - 9970 rules) (15-19 - RI rules).

The exchange is when we send young adults to a Rotary District in a country of choice, then in turn they send their young adults to us for a year.  Critical dates are Applications close April 30 for travel next January, Selection is in May, the main orientation is the second weekend in August.  See Calendar for full dates.

Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth

Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses and partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people they come into contact with and protect them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Objectives of the Program

To further international goodwill and understanding by enabling students to experience first hand life in a country different from their own.

To enable students:

  • To advance their education by studying for a year in an environment different from their own and in courses not normally available to them in their home country schools
  • To broaden their outlook by living with, and meeting people of different cultures, creeds and backgrounds than their own; and by having to cope with day-to-day problems in an environment completely different from their home experience
  • To act as ambassadors for their own country by addressing Rotary Clubs, community organizations and youth groups in their host country and by imparting as much knowledge as they can of their own country and its current issues
  • To study and observe all facets of life and culture in the country where they are hosted and on their return to their home country to discuss their experiences and knowledge gained with Rotary Clubs, schools, youth groups and community organisations
     

Currently, our district 9970 has five RYE students living in Nelson, Blenheim & Ashburton.
Arrived in January 2012 was Camila Martins (D4310 Brazil) in Nelson with Whakatu Rotary.  February sees Magui Vallone (Argentina) going to Ashburton.
Arrived in July 2011 we have In Nelson Margot Pellet (D1690 France) and Chikara Nagakawa (D2630 Japan), in Blenheim Anna Rattemeyer (D1940 France).

Should you wish to find out more about the RYE programme, have a look at our Information page.  Take a look at the 2007 Annual Report from Rotary International to see the true International nature of Youth Exchange.

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