YEP Pg2

WHAT IS YOUTH EXCHANGE

A program sponsored by Rotary Clubs and districts throughout the world and called the “Rotary Youth Exchange Program, and usually abbreviated to YEP. It is designed to qualify high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 ½ at the time of the exchange. Currently our program is exchanging with 24 different countries. One of our requirements is that each country we exchange with must run their exchange program similarly to the way we run ours. That means Outbound applicants go through a multi-layered qualification program and when accepted they start learning the language of the country they will be going to stay for their year. They are going to be ambassadors for both Rotary and the United States. They will learn how to handle tough and unfair questions about our country. They will study their new country learning about its culture, people, ethics, industry, government and much more. They leave here wondering what it will be like, will they be able to handle it. And they return young adults, confident in their ability to succeed. Completely at home in a foreign language and country, to the extent that they are considered native by its inhabitants and they are.

WHAT IF I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO BE A ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT

First may I suggest that you go to the Florida Rotary Youth Exchange (known as RYE*Florida) website at http://www.ryeflorida.org where you will find a great deal of info about the program. Also you will be able to read letters written to us by the students who are presently overseas. The actual cost of being an outbound exchange student is low compared to many other programs. This year it is $3950.00. That includes just about everything except your visa and passport. They are your responsibility. It covers air travel to your destination, insurance, a blue blazer, our two training sessions at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center and more. If you should become ill and unable to go, all but $50.00 is refunded to you less the cost of any LYBCC training sessions you have attended. The $50.00 application fee, which must accompany your application, which you may find and complete at the RYE*Florida website in writable PDF form.

Now if you have been to the RYE*Florida website and are now seriously interest in being part of an exchange it is time to talk this over with your parents if you haven’t done so already. Face it; you cannot go if they say NO, a word we have all heard before. The next step is to contact your local Rotary Club. You must be sponsored by a Rotary Club. How do I find a local Rotary Club? If you do not know of a Rotary Club in your area you may contact me, Hap Mills at hapmills@earthlink.net and given your address including state and country I will be able to tell you where the nearest Rotary Club is located and the name and email of a member. As well as being the webmaster of this website I am the District YEO (District Youth Exchange Officer) of my Rotary District and have a book that lists every Rotary Club in the world and we are in some 200 countries and there are now two Rotary Clubs in China.

Keep in mind that my district exchanges with only 24 countries. Other districts exchange with many other countries. So I cannot tell you what countries districts outside Florida exchange with, only how to get in touch with a Rotary Club near you. Keep in mind that we do not exchange with any English speaking countries such as Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, or Australia.