BRIDGING THE GAP

From Rotary District 9940

NZ - Australia Matched Student Exchange Programme

Introduction

Purpose - to foster awareness and understanding between Australians and New Zealanders

Annually involves 60 - 100 New Zealand secondary school students

The Exchange

A NZ student is matched with an Australian student

Each student spends one school term living in the other’s home and attending their school

The Exchange (Cont)

Exchanges available to students aged between 13.5 and 16 years on the 1st January in the year of the Exchange

Each student is sponsored by a Rotary club

The student’s School must agree to support the Exchange

Qualifications Required

To participate in the Exchange the student should:

Be a good average student with wide interests

Have a sound general knowledge

Have a responsible attitude

Qualifications Required

Be of good character

Have the ability to mix well

Have a willingness to enter fully into the Exchange

Student Benefits

An opportunity to be away from home and be “independent” in a supervised environment

The experience to be part of another family and attend another school in another country

Personal development and growth

Student Benefits (Cont)

Extends confidence and maturity

Learning to budget and take responsibility

Academic progress can be continued

How Students Apply

Through “Expression of Interest” Forms via their school by 30th June

Full application forms completed and returned by 31st July

Selection Process

Applicants and their parents are interviewed by members of the sponsoring Rotary clubs. Suitable students are recommended to the District Committee

The District Committee interviews all recommended applicants and their parents to select students

Final Acceptance to the Exchange will depend on a suitable student match being available

Obligations of Students

Students must: obey the laws of the host country accept the discipline of the host school and

host parents adapt to the home environment of the host

family act as an ambassador for their country behave in a manner which reflects well on

their family, community and country

Cost to Families

$4000.00 - $4,500.00 approximately

Covers travel to and from Australia, internal flights, travel & medical insurance, airport departure taxes, the week long Safari trip in Australia and general expenses - personal items and gifts

Rotary Club Costs $500.00 per student paid to District

Committee

This covers a Rotary jacket, polo shirt, name badge and business cards

Rotary meeting meal costs that the student and their family are invited to attend

Rotary Club Committment

Interview prospective students

Appoint a Counsellor who has a key role to play in the Exchange

The Counsellor’s role is to:Communicate with the NZ and Australian families and their Australian Counsellor

Club Help

If you know of any student who may benefit from this programme please contact your club Youth representative or me

Note: Clubs are not required to find host families

Student Feedback

“What I got out of this Exchange was making friends from another country and gaining more confidence in myself”

“One of the greatest things I had to deal with was being out of my normal surroundings and being without my family and friends for three months”

Student Feedback (cont)

“I am extremely grateful that I was able to do this Exchange. I can highly recommend it to everyone who want to do this”

“The Exchange has changed my life for the better and has made me more confident. Also I have made friends who I know I will always try to keep in contact with”

Students For 2009 - 10 Dearna Read Foxton Benjamin Lousley Pahiatua Laurence Churchman Wellington Leigh Bathgate Upper Hutt Madeline Ahern Upper Hutt Shea-lee Phillips Wanganui Briar Dickinson Wanganui Stacey Huband Feilding Kelsey Kauri Palmerston North Kristin Zander Palmerston North Charlotte Cook Palmerston North

KEY DATES 16 Oct 10 Orientation / Selection &

Debriefing Day 28 Oct 10 Matching Conference (CAIRNS) 27 Nov 10 Counselors Orientation Day 1 Dec 10 Matched Students Notified 16 Mar 11 Orientation Day 2 Apr 11 NZ Students to Australia 25 Jun 11 NZ / Aust Students to NZ Aug/Sept 11 Aust Student Safari 17 Sept 11 Aust Students Return Home