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LIVE THREE WEEKS WITH A EUROPEAN HOST YOUTH, THEN THREE MORE WEEKS TOGETHER HERE Youths aged 15 to 19 apply, preferably by 12/31/08, to participate in a three week homestay exchange in FRANCE, GERMANY, UNITED KINGDOM, or SWEDEN. A departure date of June 28th, 2009 has tentatively been selected for the Americans.
After three weeks abroad the Americans and their new friends come to the U.S. On or about August 9th the Europeans return home. The American and European youths are carefully matched by age and interests by the European Rotary Youth Exchange officers. When the matches are proposed, the youths excitedly get acquainted via emails, photos, and/or telephone calls with their proposed hosts. The youths confirm matches, attend an orientation, buy airline tickets and health insurance, and prepare to go abroad. American applicants pay no fees for this program. The costs for applicants are air fare (about $1300), health insurance (about $115), spending money, and home hosting This program builds international good will (a Rotary objective), and helps youths build self-confidence, make new friends, and create memories to cherish for a lifetime.
THE PROCEDURE:
A. Download a Rotary Short Term Youth Exchange Application form
B. Submit Application by Jan 31st, 2009 to a nearby Missouri Rotary club for endorsement by a club officer. The District YE Coordinator listed below can assist in finding the nearest Rotary Club. Include photographs. Order passport. Applications received after Feb 28th 2009 are considered, but “chancy”.
C. After a Rotary Club president endorses applications he or she sends it to the District Coordinator (below). The Coordinator then forwards each application to his Rotarian counterpart in the chosen European country for “matching”. Both Rotarian and non-Rotarian families are welcome participants.
D. In April or May we receive the matched European youth’s application. The quality of European matches has been outstanding, and so far none refused, but you must still confirm your acceptance with Rotary.
E. The District Youth Exchange Committee helps arrange travel. It also schedules a family orientation meeting in May to discuss travel rules, customs, etc.
Rotary District 6040 Short Term Youth Exchange Coordinator
Richard Helmuth
4700 West 64th St., Shawnee Mission KS 66208
Email: richard@helmuth.net Tel: 913 677-0564
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