Members of the District Youth Exchange Committee and several Club Youth Exchange Officers gathered in Utica on November 2nd to interview six applicants hoping to participate in Rotary’s Long Term Youth Exchange Program in 2025. The interviews are the next step in the process, following completion of paperwork and local Club interviews narrowing the field of those qualified for final consideration.
Several current inbound Exchange Students were also present. The six finalists were accompanied by their parents, who were included in the interview process. After the interviews and full committee consideration all were accepted and approved. The next steps in the process include students’ participation in our Rotary District Conference in Rockford this November, announcement of country assignments within the next few months, outbound orientation in March, and participation in Central States Rotary Youth Exchange’s Summer Conference in Grand Rapids Michigan in July. The students will then travel to their destinations in August and September, to be hosted by Rotary host families overseas for about 11 months, returning in time for next year’s Summer Conference. Congratulations to all Rotary Youth Exchange Outbounds!