RIVER FALLS – Each year the River Falls Rotary Club sponsors at least one foreign exchange student to come to the area and attend high school while living with host families in the community. This year the Rotary Club is sponsoring a 16-year-old boy from Sweden who will attend Ellsworth High School; therefore, we are seeking host families in the Ellsworth School District.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program provides three home placements over the school year for the student to experience different home environments in addition to a US high school. Each of the three families hosts for about 14 weeks or three and a half months from mid-August through mid-June. The Rotary Club provides some basic financial support for the student with an allowance, pays for a cell phone, school lunches and sports and class fees. Host families provide meals and transportation. For more information and to apply to be a host family you can go the North Star Rotary Youth Exchange website at https://northstaryouthexchange.com/host-families/ or call Elaine Baumann, the RF Rotary Club Youth Exchange Officer at 715-307-2694.

The River Falls Rotary Club’s participation in Youth Exchange is part of Rotary International’s Youth Exchange network. The motto of Rotary’s YE program is “Creating peace in the world, one student at a time.”

River Falls Rotary not only hosts foreign students, it also sponsors local students wishing to go abroad as exchange students for a full school year or summer only. This past year a girl from Ellsworth just returned after spending the school year in Spain. Here is her summary of her exchange: "Going on an exchange year in Spain was one of my best life decisions so far. I met so many amazing people and created what I'm sure will be lifelong friendships. I learned a new language, a new culture, and got to experience a different way of living. And through the Rotary I met my wonderful host families and now I know I'll always have a home across the sea."

This coming school year two students from River Falls will go abroad, one to the Czech Republic and the other to Thailand. The River Falls Rotary Club has also sponsored 13 summer exchanges over the past several years. High school youth ages 15-18 who have an interest in living abroad, experiencing a new culture and meeting new people are encouraged to apply to be a Rotary Exchange Student. You can learn more about becoming a host family or exchange student at the North Star Youth Exchange website at  https://northstaryouthexchange.com/students/. The website includes information about both year-long and summer (short term) exchange programs. And again, you can also contact Elaine Bauman for more information.

Submitted by River Falls Rotary