Rotary offers overseas study program for high schoolers

Learn a new language, experience a different culture, spend a year in a foreign land. Students that will attend high school in 2012/13 are eligible to become a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in a foreign country. 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 have years of experience with students and host families, ensuring a safe, nurturing and enriching environment. While students are overseas their room and board are covered by the host family. Rotary District 7470, comprised of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, has had student exchanges with Spain, Germany, France, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina and many other countries. There are two programs for high school students: an academic year exchange, and a short-term exchange of three to four weeks during the summer. Applications from interested students will be accepted until Jan. 31, 2012. Interviews will be conducted during February and March of 2012 with final selections made by the end of March. The Rotary is also looking for residents interested in becoming host families. For more information, visit www.youthexchangenj.org or contact Judy Frank at 973-598-0661 or frankassoc@optonline.net.