Rotary Youth Exchange applications available
Marquette Area Rotary Clubs are now accepting applications for the Rotary Youth Exchange. The goal of Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is to promote the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace at the person-to-person level. This program is for high school students between the ages of 16 and 18.5 at the time of the exchange, usually beginning August 2013. Rotary Youth Exchange program participants live and study abroad for one academic year. Applications are being accepted for the 2013/2014 Rotary Exchange Year.
To be considered for the program the student must be willing to represent Rotary International and the United States as an exchange student. The student must rank in the top 50% of his/her class and have a 2.75 GPA or above to be eligible. The student must also attend high school in the host country.
Cost of the program is approximately $6,000 per student. Students are also required to pay for other costs; these may include airfare, medical insurance, visas, two weekend preparation conferences for student and parent, Rotary blazer, plus other incidentals. Students are also required to pay for other costs such as travel to obtain their visa and passports (if needed), medical and dental exams and personal expenses during the exchange. A detailed breakdown of payments is available and will be provided.
Applications are being accepted until September 27, 2012. Interested students will be required to attend an information session and interview on October 3, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Whitman Hall on the NMU campus. Each student must be accompanied at this session by one parent or legal guardian.
Additional information about the application process is available at the Central States Rotary International Youth Exchange Website www.csrye.org or from local program coordinators. Local coordinators are Joe Meyskens of the Marquette Rotary Club 226-7370, Roger Bentlage of Marquette Breakfast Rotary 343-6619 and Pam Christensen of Marquette West Rotary 869-4617. An application can be obtained from one of the coordinators or via email at pamraec@gmail.com.