Rotary Youth Exchange Vision Begin with the end

Rotary Youth Exchange

“Vision” Ø Begin with the end in Mind ~ Why ‘Youth Exchange’? ~ Understanding expectations / timelines ~ Supports / Resources ~ Country, Community, School, Club, Family …… ~ the ‘Imprint’ of a year ….

Focus Questions. . Ø At the end of the year as a member of our community and Rotary club, what do we hope the Rotary student will have gained? Ø What expectations do we have for our Rotary students? Ø What do you feel the roles /responsibilities of a host family should be? Ø How can ‘other’ Rotarians support the host families to ensure they have the support needed?

Challenges ……… • Adapting to each individual student ~ and having them adapt to us (cultural differences!) • involvement of the ‘whole’ club to support each student • Adjusting to the changing world of adolescents today – what boundaries should be established … what freedoms should be allowed? • Seeking the balance between community life and travel • Encouraging language development when social networks connect students to their home country readily • Ensuring all ‘compliance’ / youth protection needs are addressed • Finding new homestay families who will share their home and time with inbound students

Question Are we as a club ready to …. ~welcome our next student from ____? ~provide quality home stays? ~to include him/her as a valued member of our Rotary Club? ~to create a lifetime of memories and experiences?

Building A “Team” Ø “Youth Services” and/or RYE Chair ØYouth Exchange Committee ~ Outbound ~ Inbound ~ Counsellor (same gender) ~ Youth Protection Officer ~ Host Families (recommended 3) Ø Involved and Supportive Club

Promoting the Program Ø Recruiting Potential Students ~ ~ ~ (Outbound) Schools as Partners Finding ‘Great’ Ambassadors Timelines Expectations / Orientation Becoming a Rotary Ambassador!

Engaging the ‘Club’ ØEngaging the Club (Inbound) ~ the ‘Vision’ of Youth Exchange ~ Developing the student profile ~ Finding Host Families ~ Club “Connections” ~ Communication ~ Celebration!!

One club’s journey: Campbell River Daybreak Rotary and Youth Exchange During thier last visioning retreat the club agreed…. • Youth programs are a vital part of Campbell River Daybreak Rotary initiatives • We have a commitment to and responsibility for supporting our ‘inbound’ students • Each Club member should make an effort to make the student feel welcome and included • We are very proud of the longstanding relationship we have developed with youth programs through Youth Exchange, Student of the Month, Interact, RYLA, Adventures In, Scholarship Program ….

Campbell River Daybreak Rotary proudly introduces …. Shi-Han CHEN “Sara” INBOUND EXCHANGE STUDENT

HOST CLUB Rotary Club of Yonghe City Taipei County, TAIWAN

Yonghe City, TAIWAN • Located in the north of Taiwan • 236, 000 residents • Occupies 5. 7 square kilometres • part of Taipei County • Located on the outskirts of Taipei • Attends a school of 3, 000 students (grades 10, 11, 12)

About Sara • Has played piano for ten years • Has studied dance for six years • Older Sister (23) and Older Sister (21) • Father and Mother – trading company which exports bicycle parts and accessories • Class Ranking: 30 out of 40 • Teacher comments…. “has impressed me with her enthusiasm for learning the language (English) …. . ”has the potential to outdo her present performance!” …. . ”It is my hope that an English speaking environment will inspire her to bring out the potential. ”

Typical School Day • Rise at 6: 00 a. m. • 15 minute bus ride to school – arrive 7: 00 a. m. • Participates in Color Guard which runs 2600 metres every morning • School begins: four 50 minute classes in morning • Lunch and rest! • Four afternoon classes • Color Guard: two hours after school • Return home by bus and MRT (train) …. One hour

About Me – essay excerpts • “ 16 years old – born Nov. 16, 1992” • “In free time like to construct my blog, watch TV, play, sing, play piano and zither, read books” • “I don’t like snakes and insects who bite” • “I don’t like some food too sweet and too spicy” • “I think I’m easy to get along with – I will not disturb others willfully!” • My whole family went to Vancouver when I was 7. • Our school is famous for aerobics – I’m the class representative, so I teach others

My Goal…. “Being an exchange student, the important target of mine are learning language, making friends with every people I recognize, and developing my global perspective. After return, I will share my overseas life to many people. ”

Will you be one of my Host Families? -- contact Craig or Erica – please!

The ‘Welcome’! Ø Your New Kid on the Block! Creating a Welcoming Culture ~ Airport arrival – warmth … and communication ~ Getting established: YEO, counselor, family, Youth Protection Officer, president …. . ~ ‘First Night’ questions! ~ Welcome dinner and orientation ~ Introduction to the club ~ Student ‘Activity Wish List’

Becoming One of Us! Ø A Meaningful Club Connection Club responsibility and roles…. . ~ active school / community life ~ sponsorship by the ‘whole’ club ~ regular invitation to Rotary meetings ~ meaningful role – “service above self” ~ Greeter, Fireside, Rotary Moment, Country Presentation, Program ……. ~ exit interview …. Student / Host Families

In the words of a student: “Judit” • felt welcomed by all –loved being at Rotary meetings – so much fun to be there and included • found school quite different despite expectations • wish I’d joined a school club or town activity –maybe dance! • Loved being included in activities – Duck Sales, theatre, helping with service projects theatre • Interact: wonderful to see what students can accomplish -- huge support of Rotary for Interact • moving means packing and ‘changing’ but this is offset by the excitement of each new home-stay ~ wonderful people who all made me feel a part of their families! • Remember …each exchange student will be different - recognize what makes each student unique and independent

Communication! Ø Developing a Club Consciousness. . ~ ensure ‘all’ members have time throughout the year to ‘get to know’ the student ~ provide opportunities for students to share with the club – updates, announcements, activities…. and ensure they share with their home sponsor club ~ make the ‘time-lines’ of a Rotary Student Exchange year explicit so club has that knowledge ~ ensure key people (eg. Counselor) can build a meaningful relationship ~ “value” host families

Background: The Exchange Time Line • September – promotion of program • October - student selection • December – confirmation interviews in Victoria • Jan-Feb –country assignment – notification of students …. Passports…. learn language…in-depth research of host country • March -- Outbound orientation – receive visa packets – compile documents • April-May-June - verification of documentation host guarantee confirmation & processing visa applications with consulates • June-Sept – visa approval -- issue tickets --- • Mid-August – Sept -- departure to country

Rotary and the Student • Each Rotary District is autonomous • Host district rules take precedence • Be familiar with the rules of your host district

In a new culture. . remember … • You don’t know most of the rules • Everyone around you knows all the rules • You don’t know what to expect of others • Others expect unknown things of you

Impact of Student Exchange • Students feel welcomed and included at our meetings • Life transforming experience for many outbound and inbound students • Life long connections between many Inbound students and our families ~ many have returned to visit several times ~ many of our families have visited students in their home countries • Students have a great opportunity to belong to Interact and understand the spirit of “service above self” • Knowledge of Canadian culture and the English language increase significantly

RYE --- Phases of a Year! • Stage 1: The Honeymoon (2 -8 • Stage 2: Disintegration (2 -3 • Stage 3: Reintegration (generally 3 -6 • Stage 4: Becoming Functional (5 -9 • Stage 5: Creative Independence (9 months) weeks) months)

Questions!? !