Rotary Youth Exchange helps to build peace one young person at a time. The world-renouned program has been in place for nearly 100 years and sponsors around 9,000 15-19 year olds each year.
For the first time since re-chartering three years ago, the Smoketown Rotary Club of Brunswick, MD is looking to sponsor an international student. Smoketown Rotarian Kevin Kenny has volunteered to cover the financial obligation ($1,500) for a local family or individual host who is interested in this ultra-rewarding experience.
The program leads to greater intercultural understanding which leads to world peace. In this program high school youth spend an academic year living and studying in another country. During the year they stay with at least two different host families, connect with a local sponsoring Rotary Club and attend a local school. The exchanges are not one for one. An American student might go to Finland, a Finish student to Ecuador, an Ecuadorian to Thailand, etc.
What it takes to put together a successful exchange is: 1) a sending and a receiving Rotary Club 2) a high school willing to enroll the student and 3) at lest two families who agree to serve as host families for the student.
During the 2020-2021 academic year, Rotary District 7620 (which includes Smoketown Rotary) is planning to send eight students abroad. Thus we will have the pleasure of hosting eight students here in the district. Southern Frederick County Rotarian Cliff Barr has volunteered to chair the district’s coordination of the program.