Qualifications and such
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The Rotary Youth Exchange Committee of Rotary District 6840 wants to congratulate you and thank you for your interest in providing a temporary home for an international high school student. Let's be clear: without host families, there is no Youth Exchange Program. The level of immersion and depth of cultural experience that we hope our students will attain can only happen with the full support and enthusiasm of host families.
There is no one ideal family...rather, every family, no matter who comprises it, can offer a unique perspective on the local community and US culture that will serve to broaden the exchange student's appreciation for who we are. Families with small children are great because a new language learner might feel less intimidated trying out new words on a little brother or sister before using them in the classroom. "Empty nesters" are great because they have empty bedrooms and are engaged in more volunteer and social activities that offer opportunities for the exchange student to a wide variety of aspects of a community. The perspective of a different generation also serves to help an exchange student understand more about society. Families with teenaged children sometimes provide a best friend or at least someone to help navigate the sometime scary waters of high school in the U.S. Single parents also make great hosts as they tend to be excellent at making sure everyone keeps on schedule and that everyone participates in all aspects of family life.
Rotary International has prepared a Guide for Host Families to tell you more. You can read or download it from the Files section on the left.
Rotary International, Rotary District 6840, and the US Department of State all have obligations to ensure the safety of the exchange students. All host families must be fully trained in Youth Protection and about the expectations and requirements of Rotary Youth Exchange. The training also includes specific examples of past experiences and guidelines on how to make this experience wonderful for you and your student.
To begin a volunteer application, please contact D6840 Youth Exchange Officer - Dan Willeman at willedk@gmail.com
The Rotary Youth Exchange Committee of Rotary District 6840 wants to congratulate you and thank you for your interest in providing a temporary home for an international high school student. Let's be clear: without host families, there is no Youth Exchange Program. The level of immersion and depth of cultural experience that we hope our students will attain can only happen with the full support and enthusiasm of host families.
There is no one ideal family...rather, every family, no matter who comprises it, can offer a unique perspective on the local community and US culture that will serve to broaden the exchange student's appreciation for who we are. Families with small children are great because a new language learner might feel less intimidated trying out new words on a little brother or sister before using them in the classroom. "Empty nesters" are great because they have empty bedrooms and are engaged in more volunteer and social activities that offer opportunities for the exchange student to a wide variety of aspects of a community. The perspective of a different generation also serves to help an exchange student understand more about society. Families with teenaged children sometimes provide a best friend or at least someone to help navigate the sometime scary waters of high school in the U.S. Single parents also make great hosts as they tend to be excellent at making sure everyone keeps on schedule and that everyone participates in all aspects of family life.
Rotary International has prepared a Guide for Host Families to tell you more. You can read or download it from the Files section on the left.
Rotary International, Rotary District 6840, and the US Department of State all have obligations to ensure the safety of the exchange students. All host families must be fully trained in Youth Protection and about the expectations and requirements of Rotary Youth Exchange. The training also includes specific examples of past experiences and guidelines on how to make this experience wonderful for you and your student.
To begin a volunteer application, please contact D6840 Youth Exchange Officer - Dan Willeman at willedk@gmail.com