Alisa's enthusiasm was contagious! It's very clear why she accepted the duties of our district inbound coordinator. She loves kids and believes, to her core, the positive impact of youth exchange. World peace at ground level.
Alisa was joined by Noah Smith, from Japan. We all gave funny looks, not expecting her last name. Her father is British, but she was raised in Japan. Noah has had such a great experience that she intends to find an exchange opportunity in college too.
Alisa is a chemistry teacher in the Mendota school system. She joined Rotary in 2017 via enticement of a short term exchange to Argentina. It was a 6-week cultural exchange of students and teachers. They stayed with the Argentinian host, and then hosted the same group on their return to the United States.
There are short term and long term exchanges. She encourages clubs to start with the short term. It is less expensive and somewhat more simple management.
The short term is 3-6 weeks. Our outbound returns with a host nation student, who then stays with them here in the United States an equal amount of time.
Costs include flight, passport, and travel insurance. The District charges the club $300. Alisa noted that her club has had success requesting the outbound student to cover that expense, in addition to the travel expense. The club is not required to provide any “miscellaneous spending” money.
The long term program is one year and students stay with 2 or 3 families. Students must be age 15-18 and are vetted. They want students that are good representatives and able to manage the year abroad.
Fees to the club are about $2,200 per student for the long-term program. This includes District fees, a conference for the Youth Exchange Officer of the club, and RYLA. The student is provided $75-$150 per month in spending money. The host family provides school lunches, personal items (toiletries), and sometimes a cell phone. Other costs to the family could be small trips they take the student.
The club must have a Youth Exchange Officer and Counselor. A committee would be formed to manage paperwork, marketing to schools,and interview of potential candidates. The counselor's job is to check in with the inbound to make sure everything is going ok. Both Alisa and Scott Shore have pledged as much help as clubs need for success. There are training sessions and opportunities to talk through difficult moments.
Benefits to the club can be increased membership, additional activity for the club, and community outreach. And a chance to be a part of World Peace one student at a time.
The program had a brief hiatus during COVID but started back up into full swing in 2022.
Princeton is now doing youth exchange and has been supported by the community. Rockridge School District is very interested in supporting the program for a local Rotary Club. Part of the club obligation is to find outbound students to participate.
The District would love to see The Rotary Club of Quad Cities Illinois re-establish youth exchange in our club.
