HELP US TRANSFORM TOMORROW. Thanks to the FDC Foundation, all gifts to the Transforming Tomorrow campaign will be matched dollar for dollar up to $1 million. The Rotary Youth Exchange Program is seeking candidates for the opportunity of a lifetime. Previously, they have sent scholars to France, Germany and the Philippines, while receiving students from Brazil and Italy. Most recently, a local student returned from a year in Brazil, and another returned to Germany after spending a year in Canada. Moreover, an individual is arriving from Spain this August. Sue delightedly describes, “We’ve been able to send three students from St. Thomas, who will be leaving this summer: to France, Brazil and another to Italy. It’s been a really busy year getting them ready -- as we usually have one student, but this year we have three!” This Program is currently seeking Host Families for their upcoming arrival. Sue announces, “We are looking for a host from January to April, for six weeks up to twelve weeks. There is no one size fits all.” Families with children at home have been embraced, as have retired couples and so forth. The Rotary Youth Exchange Program values the importance of offering a variety of family dynamics, as Sue continues, “Four different families really makes the experience rich, because the student learns something from each.” Rotary Youth Exchange Program Updates by Peri Hayes Sue Bandeen proudly volunteers as a Youth Exchange Officer with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, facilitated by the Railway City Rotary Club since 2019. Her position entails behaving as the exchange student’s legal guardian, coordinating their care and scheduling three to four host families during their stay. This Program also provides each student with a Youth Exchange Counsellor (YEC). Interested hosts must provide a new criminal background check, as well as complete an interview and a home and safety
visit from the committee -- who can also present further details about the student. Sue shares, “The benefit that I’m hearing from my host families is that they have an international connection. One family even went to visit the girl that they hosted. It makes the world smaller.” Furthermore, one family member told Sue that this adventure brought the world into their home. For the students involved in this transformative Program, lifelong skills are evidently developed. Sue exclaims, “For me, it is exciting to see how much each student adapts and grows personally. I know from my own experience how that happened for me. So many things I learned during my exchange came into play: staying calm, handling situations, and being more open- minded. I felt the impact, but I’ve also witnessed the impact
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Page 22 Hometown St. Thomas • July-August 2024
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