Students get the opportunity to:
• To advance their education by studying at a secondary school for a year
• To broaden their outlook on life by living with and meeting people of different cultures, creeds and backgrounds and by having to cope with day-to-day problems in an environment that is completely different from their home experience.
• To act as ambassadors for their own country by address
ing Rotary Clubs, community organisations and youth groups in their host countries and by imparting knowledge of their country, it traditions and current trends.
• To study and observe all facets of life and culture in the host country and share their experiences with their wider community upon their return. District 9980 oversees exchange programmes with the following countries and languages: Austria (German), Belguim (French speaking area), Chile (Spanish), Denmark (Danish), France (French), Germany (German), Sweden (Swedish), Switzerland (German). District 9980 Rotary Youth Exchange - The 9980 district covers the lower half of the South Island of New Zealand with the most northern boundary, the Rangitata River. The area encompasses 30 Rotary clubs and RYE committee consists of representative couples from various clubs across the region. Secondary education students can apply if they meet the following criteria:
• Have a sound academic ability, and are in year 11 to 13 at the time of application.
• Are aged at least 16 and under 18 at the date of departure in January
• Have an outgoing and pleasant personality, with good character and reputation to fit them for the role as an Ambassador for New Zealand
• Are New Zealand citizens (born in New Zealand or naturalised)
• Are medically fit, with no serious medical conditions
• Are able to accept discipline and are capable of adjusting to new and strange conditions. They should be adaptable and capable of living with up to four different host families. All Students are selected solely on merit and students selected undertake to abide by Rotary International Youth Exchange Rules relating to drugs, drinking, driving, dating and accepting host parent controls.
