Join the adventure of a lifetime

THE Rotary Club of Queensburgh extends an invitation to all interested youth in Queensburgh and surrounding areas to participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme for both short and long term.

Objectives of the Youth Exchange Programme includes the furtherance of international understanding and goodwill, broadening the child’s own outlook by learning to live with and meet people of different cultures in their home environment and enabling young adults to observe firsthand the problems and accomplishments of peoples in countries other than their own.

The programme offers thousands of youths the opportunity to experience a different culture, language and way of life on exchange. To be eligible for the programme you must be:

– Between the ages of 16 years, 6 months and 18 years, 3 months by 1 January of the year you will spend time abroad, unless a different age is mutually agreed upon by the participating Rotary Clubs and Districts.

– Someone who shows initiative

– Is of good character and reputation

– Should preferably have a history of community involvement of some degree

– Should have above-average academic abilities

– Must be outgoing with a pleasant personality

– Be capable of adapting to new and strange conditions/environments

Note that the programme is also open to youth who are differently abled. The long term programme usually extends over a period of one year and the participant will live with about two to three different host families and is expected to attend school. The initial cost is approximately R24 000 which includes selections, orientations, regalia, airfares, visas and calling cards. Additional costs are R1 825 for emergency medical insurance and provision for an emergency fund of US$300. Spending money and other travel costs depend entirely on what the parents can afford.

The countries one may travel to are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States of America, however, the list is subject to change.

The short term programme takes place from four weeks to about two months and participants will live with a family. This usually takes place when school is not in session. The initial cost is R19 000 which includes selections, orientations, regalia, airfares, visas, calling cards and emergency medical insurance, spending money and other travel costs which entirely depend on what the parents can afford. The countries one may travel to are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey, however, the list is subject to change.

In both instances, families are expected to host an inbound student in exchange. Application forms can be found on the district website, visit www.rotary9370.org.za under the Youth Section. Application forms may be dropped off at Queensburgh High School on 1 Dipdale Road, Malvern, where the Rotary Club of Queensburgh meets every week. Alternatively, e-mail to Kimona Kanniah at kimona87@hotmail.com to make arrangements and or for further information.

The closing date for applications is on Monday, 7 March, however, the Rotary Club of Queensburgh will be conducting the first stage of interviews by the end of March in order to shortlist candidates prior to them being interviewed at District level.