We are saying goodbye to the class of 2022-2023 inbound students and welcoming their class of 2023-2024, made up of 13 students from around the world. Rotary Clubs are actively searching for clubs to host their inbound class of 2024-2025 and aim to have 14+ clubs for that year. The 2023-2024 outbound students will be living in countries such as Sweden, France, and Brazil, and will return with a greater understanding of other cultures. The Short-Term Exchange program had seven young people experience a few weeks abroad this summer, and applications for the Summer 2024 program will be accepted from September 1 to February 1.
Inbound Exchange:
We are saying our last tearful goodbyes to our class of 2022-2023 inbound students. These 17 students have brightened our clubs and many of our lives. I hope all had the opportunity to interact with them… our world is a better place because they have blessed our lives.
We now turn the page to welcome our class of 2023-2024. We will be joined by 13 students from around the world who will spend a year with us in central & western Wisconsin. August is the arrival month for the majority of them. Be sure to check your club calendar and join your Youth Exchange Committee at the airport to welcome them to the United States! The students who arrive a little early will have the opportunity to travel to Chicago to experience sailing on Lake Michigan with Chicago Rotarians. Should be a blast!We are actively searching for Rotary Clubs to host our Inbound Class of 2024-2025. As of this writing, we have eight (8) clubs who have completed the commitment form. There is still time to add your club to this list. Send an email to me (Bill Pritchard) at Prosapiaeo@gmail.com if you would like more information or would like the commitment form. We aim to have 14+ clubs for 2024-2025 – get your commitment form in today!
Outbound Exchange:
Our 2023-2024 class of eight (8) outbounds also departs in August for their year abroad. They will be living a life in a year in Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Thailand, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil and Germany. Our thanks to the Deforest, La Crosse Valley-View, Prairie du Chien, La Crosse, Black River Falls, Mt. Horeb and Oregon clubs for identifying these students. They will return with gifts beyond comprehension – and will add to our world Peace thru their greater Understanding of other cultures.
It is not too early to be looking for members of our 2024-2025 class. Since our Youth Exchange Programs are built around a reciprocity design, we will be looking for a class of 14+ Young Americans who wish to live and study abroad. Official applications can be accepted starting in September, but interested students are encouraged to complete a preliminary application. The preliminary Application can be found on our District Website at rotary6250.org – Service – Outbound Youth Exchange.
Short-Term Exchange:
Our Short-Term Exchange team is wrapping up the final exchanges that took place over this summer of 2023. A total of seven (7) young people experienced a few weeks abroad and welcomed a new friend back to the United States for the same amount of time. Talk about a perfect summer vacation!
We’ll begin to accept applications for Summer 2024 Short-Term exchanges starting September 1st – the deadline for applications is February 1, 2024. There is no cap on this program – so why not submit a name of a young person from your community to have a fantastic vacation in the summer of 2024! Find more information on our district website – rotary6250.org – Service – Short-Term Youth Exchange.