Whilst everyone was in holiday mode in December/January the Rotary District 9940 Youth Exchange Outbound students were packing either to return home, or to depart NZ on their overseas experience.
 
Early January is when all the changeovers happen and I have to take my hat off to our Travel Agent, Roger Miller in Tauranga who has to coordinate the comings and goings of all NZ Rotary exchange students. Imagine the influx of questions about luggage allowances, visas, flights, host families, uniforms and general travel details that Roger has to manage along with the usual stresses of the festive and holiday season.
The second week of January was also a busy time for the committee, mentors and families.  
 
 
We welcomed back Hollie from Germany, Georgina from Switzerland, Finn from Chile, Emma from Denmark and Mikayla from Austria.  They have returned and are now known as ‘Rebounds’. They are fluent in their respective new languages, full of stories of their wonderful adventures, and cherishing lifelong memories.  Now their families have to get used to having them around in the house again.  At RYE Orientation weekend we talk to the students about the emotional culture shock cycle which doesn’t stop when they get home - there will be a period of readjustment back to the NZ way of life and not only have they grown and matured but their families and friends have moved forward a year in their lives too.  This is not an easy period for the ‘rebounds’ as they have to readjust back into New Zealand and think about and put their futures into action.
Emma and Mikayla on their return home
 
 
 
The current Outbounds, on the other hand, are on a high.  
 
All of the waiting and preparation is behind them and they joined the other NZ students to spend 3 days in Los Angeles before they headed to their final destinations in Europe. They will be having mixed emotions.  The sadness at leaving home won’t last long though, it will be quickly superseded by the excitement of international travel, Disneyland and finally being immersed in their adopted country and families.  Grace and Rhys are going to France and Christian is going to Germany - their new life and another Rotary Youth Exchange Cycle has begun.
 
DG Martin found this inspiring blog written by Alex Mey, a Rotary Exchange Student who wrote “Take a year - 10 reasons why you should become an Exchange Student”.  It is very interesting reading and useful at this time of the year to inspire our next group of Outbound students. Below are the 10 Reasons that he has written under - if you want to see his full blog visit: http://alexmey.com/blog/go-on-exchange
  1. Meet new friends
  2. Learn a new Language
  3. See a new culture
  4. Push Your Boundaries
  5. Discover Yourself
  6. New Food
  7. For your future
  8. A New Family (or three!)
  9. Global Citizenship
  10. Affordable Travel!
Over the next month your club will be contacted to determine if you want to be part of creating this wonderful experience for young people - either hosting a student to go overseas for a year (Outbound) departing in January 2018 or to host an overseas student (Inbound) arriving in July this year.  The aim of the Committee is to have at least 10 of each, but to do this we need you support and assistance. If you need further information please visit our website www.rye9940.co.nz or email me: minispecialist@xtra.co.nz
 
Lynne Phillips
Rotary D9940 Youth Exchange Chair