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Scroll
down for:
- Do I need to be part of Rotary?
- Outbound Student application
process
- When can I apply?
- Applications and further information
- What countries does D9920 exchange
with?
- Do I get to choose my country?
- Do I have to know another language?
- What are the features of a Rotary
Exchange?
- Is there any future advantage
from being a Rotary Exchange student?
- A perspective for parents (and
students)
- Explain the Rotary Youth Exchange
organisation
- What if I have problems during
my exchange?
- Do my parents have to host an
inbound student?
- So what's the bottom line -
How much does it cost?
- What if we just want to host
an inbound student?
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Do
I need to be part of Rotary?
No.
The exchange program is for any person that meets the elegibility
criteria [refer to the "Home" page] and these do
not require applicants to be part of Rotary. The program is
a true exchange program offerring young people the opportunity
to undertake an international exchange and experience the
culture of another country. Students are hosted by a Rotary
Club as part of Rotary International's world wide programs.
It is the Rotary club structure that supports the program
and gives it the "Rotary International Youth Exchange"
[RIYE] name.
Outbound
Student Application Process
Overview
of the application process
When
can I apply?
Applications
for exchange students will be received from October and will
close on 30 April. Students depart in the following January
for a 12 month exchange.
Applicants
must live within in the area covered by Rotary District 9920.
The New Zealand territory of District 9920 covers eastern
Auckland from south of the harbour bridge down to and including
Pukekohe. If you live elsewhere in New Zealand then you should
refer to the Rotary New Zealand website to locate a rotary
club in your area. Rotary
New Zealand rotary.org.nz
The selection
of students will take place during a compulsory live
in selection weekend in May (refer to important dates
on the home page) If you are aged between 16 and up to 18
years on Jan 1 of the year of departure and meet the application
criteria (Refer to the "Home" page), you are eligible
to apply.
Applications
and further information
To
apply or for further information please contact us using the
"Contact Us" page or complete the Initial
Application on the "Forms" page and contact your
nearest rotary club or the district 9920 committee via this
website.
Download
and print this PDF file which summarises the program.
A handy brochure for anyone that might be interested in
the program
Youth
Exchange Brochure (PDF 2 Pages)
Download
Rotary International's Information Booklet about the Program.
(Note: Some Information may vary form the actual details
for the 9920 Program)
RI
IYE Overview for Students (PDF)
What
countries does D9920 exchange with?
Currently
our district exchanges with the following countries:
- France
- Germany
- Finland
- Denmark
- Argentina
- Canada
- Belgium
- Sweden
Do
I get to choose my country?
A
very popular question. And the answer is ... yes and no. The
countries we exchange with are those we know run top-quality
programs, and we re-evaluate them each year. There are a limited
number of exchanges available with each country, and we will
not overload any country in either direction, inbound or outbound.
Therefore, if you're going to spend a year overseas, we ask
you to select three preferred countries. The majority of students
will get one of their three choices. But remember, flexibility
is a vital characteristic for a successful exchange student,
and that starts right at the beginning.
Do
I have to know another language?
No,
not at all. Naturally, it would help to have some familiarity
with the language of the country you go to, but we don't limit
the program to those who are already bi-lingual. In fact,
one of the great benefits of the program is quickly gaining
fluency in another language. Typically, our students become
fluent in 3-4 months, even without any previous knowledge
of the language! But we strongly recommend that all participants
start learning their target language as soon as they are selected
for the program. The more of the language you know up front,
the better your experience will be.
What
are the features of a Rotary Exchange?
Returning
exchange students tell us that they really like the fact that
they get to stay with several host families. This gives them
a variety of family experiences and the chance to see the
culture of their host country from a diffferent point of view
each time. Having several host families also increases their
contacts and friends on exchange and students usually find
they get to do different things with each host family.
The
other feature that returning students tell us that they really
enjoy is the range of activities organised for them by Rotary.
For example this usually includes an organised bus trip for
several weeks with other exchange students to tour their host
country (and often neigbouring countries). In the northern
hemisphere this is usually called the "Euro Tour".
This highlights the third thing that students tell us they
like, and that is the chance to meet other exchange students
from around the world and share the same exchange experience
and become friends for life.
Yes!
Past history has indicated that having the Rotary Exchange
Year on your tertiary application (to university etc) carries
weight and compliments your NCEA (or similar) results. Institutions
are looking for students that are going to successfully complete
their studies and graduate. By completing a full year exchange
in another culture you are showing that you have the "right
stuff". Future employers will take similar views of
your year's experience, not to mention the benefits of becoming
bi-lingual or bi-cultural!
A
perspective for parents (and students):
These
brief video's provide an invaluable perspective on what to
expect from an exchange. For parents and students. Brought
to you by Maya Frost and her family
Part
1 of 3 Maya Frost Speaks to Rotary Youth Exchange Student's
Parents (USA)
Part
2 of 3 Maya Frost Speaks to Rotary Youth Exchange Student's
Parents (USA)
Part
3 of 3 Maya Frost Speaks to Rotary Youth Exchange Student's
Parents (USA)
The
New Global Student by Maya Frost
Explain
the Rotary Youth Exchange Organisation
Exchanges
are undertaken between a D9920 New Zealand Rotary Club and
a hosting (Overseas Rotary Club). The Student is placed in
the care of the hosting Rotary club that will appoint a Counsellor
for each student and will also organise the host families
(Host families may not always be Rotarians).
In
addition to the Club support structure each country will also
have a Youth Exchange Committee that oversees the operation
of the exchange programme in their Rotary area or district
Each
Rotary Area or District is certified by Rotary International
to ensure consistency of standards and processes in conducting
the Rotary Exchange Programme. The programme ensures a series
of support structures for each student.
The
design of the Rotary Exchange program is such that if you
have problems we have the resources to help you solve the
problems, starting with a Rotary Club right in the community
in which you are living. You will have multiple avenues of
help available to you to resolve any problem that might come
up.
Rotary
International and Rotarians in our Auckland Rotary District
take very seriously our responsibility for the safety and
security of all Rotary exchange students, both inbound and
outbound. In November, 2002, the Board of Directors of Rotary
International adopted the following Statement of Conduct
for Working with Youth:
"Rotary
International is committed to creating and maintaining the
safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary
activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians'
spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to
the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent
the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and
young people with whom they come into contact."
Do
my parents have to host an inbound student?
Parents
of long-term outbound students are not required to host. Many,
of course, choose to do so, partly because they have an empty
room, but also so they can experience some of what their son
or daughter is going through. We encourage that, but we also
recognize that not all families are able to host. We do ask
outbound students and their families to help find host families
in their own communities, to accommodate the inbound student
that will be hosted by their Rotary Club.
So what's the bottom line - how much does it cost?
Assuming
you are not paying school fees the extra cost above being
at home is probably about $8000 - $9000
Approximate
costs are:
-
| Predeparture
costs |
|
| * Selection Weekend - Live in Selection
Weekend |
$340 |
| * Marae & Orientation Weekend
- Live in Cultural and training weekend |
$340 |
| * Application administration Fee |
$113 |
| * Student blazer, name badge,
Business cards |
Free |
| * Medical & Dental certificates |
$100 |
| Exchange Program Basic
Costs |
|
| * Comprehensive Insurance,
Visa, Chaperones, 2-3 day Los Angeles/Santiago
stopover, Return airfare |
$5000 - $6000 |
| * Euro Tour (or similar) |
$3000 |
| * Language school (some destinations) |
$1000 |
Insurance
and airfare costs are payable at the end of November/early
December
While
the Euro Tour (or similar) is not compulsory it is a real
highlight of the exchange. The timing for payment will be
set by the host country but is usually around April
Language
school costs will be payable in January
The
balance of the costs will be for day to day living and will
be spread over the exchange year and the cost will depend
on the activities that you choose to engage in but might be
around $500 per month.
Your
host Rotary club and host families will provide accomodation
and meals together with schooling enrolment.
Your
host Rotary club will pay a small monthly allowance that will
help with some of the daily out of pocket expenses
A
$500 Approx emergency fund will be required on arrival in
the host country, but this will be refunded if unused during
the year
What
if we just want to host an inbound student?
Rotary
Clubs are always looking for potential host families. If you
would like to enrich your family's experience by bringing
in a Rotary Exchange Student then send us an email using the
"Contact Us" page on this website. And thanks so
much for your interest!
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