Rotary Youth Exchange

“Promoting Global Peace and Understanding,

One Person, One Exchange At A Time!”

What is Rotary?

• Rotary is a non-profit international service organization

• Formed in 1905 by four men in Chicago

• It has now grown to over 1.2 million members in over 170+ countries

• Rotary Motto: “Service Above Self”

• Rotary structure

• World wide -- 530 Districts/ 32,000 Clubs

• Greater Houston Area – Rotary District 5890

• 63 Rotary clubs; approximately 1,700 Rotarians

• Rotary notable projects

• Polio Plus

• Children of the Dump

What is Rotary Youth Exchange?

• Exchange program for high school students

• Each year, more than 8,000 exchange students from over 80 countries travel abroad through Rotary.

Live in another

culture!

Learn another language!

Make

lifelong

friends!

Become more

confident!

Represent America!

Learn to adapt!

Promote World Peace!

Learn to think independently and creatively!

Why Rotary Youth Exchange is #1

• Careful interviews• Thorough orientations• Local support group (local

Rotary club)• Activities provided by

Rotary • Low cost

Qualifications of a Rotary Youth Exchange student

• High school student age 16-18• Excellent student • Willingness to adapt, learn a new language,

and learn a new culture• Initiative to get involved in activities• Willingness to speak to groups• Attitude of giving to others

Youth Exchange Program Summary

• One on one exchange during the summer with another student in Northern hemisphere

• No school attendance• Hosted by exchange

students’ families• Normally 3 to 4 weeks

in each country• Not limited on number

of students who participate

• Full academic school year

• Hosted by two to three families

• Supported by host Rotary Club, counselor, and committee

• Limited in number of students

• Our district is looking for approx. 20 students from the greater Houston area

Short Term Program Long Term Program

Potential Country Options

Western EuropeFrance, Belgium,Germany, TheNetherlands,

Sweden,Denmark, Italy

Eastern EuropePoland, Turkey

AsiaTaiwan, Thailand

S. AmericaBrazil, Ecuador,Argentina,Paraguay, Bolivia

Cost• Short term program – approximately $2,000• Long term program – approximately $6,000

– Major costs – airfare and insurance– Long term cost figure lessens when you

consider today’s costs that will not be incurred abroad:• Car insurance• Food• Etc.

• Host Rotary club provides ~$100 / month allowance

Key Dates• Oct. 21 – Info Meetings, at

Pearl Fincher Museum

• Nov 8 – Club Interviews, at

• Northwest Assistance Minist.

• December 6, 7 (Saturday and Sunday)

- District 5890 interviews

- Overnight Christmas party with other applicants and inbound students from across the world

2014 -2015 District 5890 Exchanges!

17 Inbound exchange students (13 countries)20 Outbound exchange students

8 Short-term exchanges

Rotary Contact Information

Long Term & Short-Term Programs

Anais Watsky281-370-4200,

281-467-9449, orawatsky@yahoo.com