Rotary clubs seek students to go overseas
The Rotary Clubs of Austintown, Boardman, Canfield, Poland, Struthers and Youngstown are interviewing local young people who are interested in attending secondary school overseas for one year as part of an international student exchange program.
To qualify, a student should be between the ages of 15 and 18 Ω, in the upper-third of his or her academic class, of good character, emotionally stable and in good physical condition. Most importantly, he or she must be able and willing to be a good ambassador.
The student or the student’s family is expected to pay travel and insurance costs, as well as provide some spending and emergency money.
Room, board and schooling, in addition to a monthly allowance, are provided by the host Rotary club and family.
Annually, more than 7,000 students from more than 80 countries take part in exchanges sponsored by Rotary clubs worldwide. Currently, there are 18 students from 10 countries spending a year in schools within Rotary District 6650.
The district is also interested in finding host families for incoming students for the 2010-2011 school year.
Locally, the Rotary Club of Canfield sent Abbey Kuhn to Chile, and is hosting Junior Brzezinski from Brazil and Patricia Ponce from Argentina this school year.
The Rotary Club of Boardman sent Carly Fusco to Argentina, Erin O’Neill to Argentina and Jordan Stear to Brazil for the 2010-2011 school year. Boardman is presently hosting Florence Aegerter from Switzerland and Nicolas Reth from Germany.
The Rotary Club of Youngstown is hosting Laura Schmidt from Germany. The Rotary district will conduct interviews Nov. 14 at the Kent State University Salem Campus for students wishing to be exchange students during the 2011-2012 school year.
Students accepted into the program will be notified by the end of December and will begin training for their exchange year in January. Applications can be obtained from www.rotary6650yep.com.
For information, contact Sieglinde Warren at suwarren19@zoominternet.net or a member of a local Rotary Club.