The Rotary Youth Club of Zelienople is looking for students of ages 15 to 18.5 years old to participate in their exchange programs.

There are two programs for students to be a part of, first, there is the school year program which allows the student to travel overseas to spend a school year in a foreign country, while their family hosts a foreign student for a year. Then there is the short term summer program which allows the student to spend 3 to 6 weeks in another country, and then their families host the students coming from the other country for that same amount of time.

The year long program costs students a mere $450 along with airfare, insurance, and other travel costs. While living overseas, the hosting Rotary club, along side the hosting families, will provide food, schooling, a monthly allowance, and housing so that the students can properly enjoy their travel experience without worrying about costs.

For the short summer program the cost is  around $200 to pay for administrative fees and health insurance. However, there is another fare needed to be paid for the plane as well as for purchasing any personal items such as souvenirs.

To some, these costs might sound awfully high, but when compared to regular costs of travel it is a massive decrease in price.

These programs are not only an opportunity for students, also allow their families to have people of different culture and language in their home which provides everyone involved with the opportunity to further extend their knowledge of the world.

What are the requirements for one to be able to participate in these programs? As stated by the informational packet of the Rotary Youth Exchange Club, “Eligible students should be good of character and reputation; between the ages of 15 to 18.5 at time of departure; have above average academic ability; and have a pleasant personality,” as well as a, “preliminary application with a local interview is required by the end of October, 2015 followed by final interviews in November.”

The Rotary Youth Exchange Club offers this extraordinary opportunity for students so as to strive towards their objective: “foster world peace, international understanding and good will by extending international communication at the personal level through the exchange of students of high school age.”

To find more information on how to start this fantastic journey of travel you can contact either Jeff Simons at (724) 0473-0016, [email protected] or Beth Marshall at (724) 624-4057, [email protected]

(Photo Credit: Rotary International/Alyce Henson)