Calling all high schoolers and gap students: Want to study abroad? The Rotary has your ticket

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Ever dreamed of studying overseas?

If you are in high school, or contemplate a gap year after graduation, the Rotary Club may have just the deal for you.

Read on for more about the service organization’s international exchange programs.

FROM THE ROTARY CLUB:

Rotary Seeks High School Students for International Exchange Programs

HOLA! BONJOUR! KONNICHI WA! NÎ HÂO! Learn a new language – experience a different culture – make new friends – spend a year in a foreign land; there are many benefits of studying abroad.

morris plains rotary logoIf you will be a high school student in 2014-2015 you can broaden your world view as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in a foreign country.

Many for-profit exchange programs cost tens of thousands of dollars for such exchanges. Rotary has been providing this enriching experience since the 1920s for a minimal cost to students and their families.

Rotary Club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families.

These volunteers often offer years of experience with students and host families, ensuring a safe, nurturing and enriching environment.

While students are overseas, they are treated like a member of the family…their school, their room and board and their food are covered by the host family. In addition, local Rotary clubs provide experiential activities with exchange students from all over the world, and the opportunity for travel is abundant.

Rotary District 7470, comprised of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, has had student exchanges with Spain, Germany, France, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and many other countries.

There are two programs for high school students: A full academic year exchange, and a short-term exchange of three- to four weeks during the summer.

High school graduates may also participate in the program by taking a “gap year” between high school and college, as long as they will not reach the age of 18 ½ prior to August 15, 2015.

Applications from interested students will be accepted until Dec. 10, 2014. Interviews will be conducted during December 2014 and January 2015, with final selections made by the end of January.

Is your child interested in becoming a foreign exchange student? Would you enjoy the experience of hosting a student from another country? For more information, contact Jim LaSala at 973-713-4294 or by e-mail.

To learn more about Rotary in your community, call 1-844-ROTARY-3.

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