In December, District 6650’s Youth Exchange Committee conducted interviews for all students who applied to be an Outbound exchange student in 2017-2018.  Many Rotarians, and a few non-Rotarians, volunteered their time to interview the applicants and the applicants’ parents.  Sixteen students were selected to participate in the program.  The following students began their training to be an Outbound exchange student at the Wooster overnighter in January:
 
Grace Aey – Canfield – Germany
Olivia Anderson – Orrville – Chile
Megan Belanger – Salem – Belgium
Joshua Bowen – North Canton – Germany
Molly Conser – Salem – Brazil
Emily Ellway – Youngstown – Argentina
Evan Gamble – Salem – Japan
Todd Gordon – Wooster – Argentina
Kelly Hamilton – Massillon – Switzerland
Maya King – Youngstown – Japan
Jonathon Lagaras – Champion – France
Adrianna Morgione – Canfield – Italy
Vidalia Porter – Strasburg – Spain
Luke Shephard – Louisville – Belgium
Alexander Thompson – Wooster – Belgium
Jacob Vogelgesang – Jackson Township - Chile
 
These students will complete four months of outbound training classes, at the monthly Inbound Exchange Student overnighters, and begin departing for their host countries in July and August.  All who participated in the interview process were impressed by the quality of the applicants. Also, the committee thanks everyone who gave up one or two Sunday mornings in December and assisted with the interview process.    
  
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those clubs that are currently hosting Inbound students.  We are not able to participate and have a successful program without the assistance of clubs from around the district.  THANK YOU!!  On another note, we are still looking for clubs to host Inbound students in 2017-2018.  If your club has not confirmed whether it will host an Inbound student, please contact Aletha Carver at (330) 614-1367 or acarver@kwgd.com or Bill Wood at (330) 284-4779 or wmawood@juno.com and let us know your decision.  To date, we have only heard from a handful of clubs and since we must have a one-for-one exchange, we need additional clubs to assist with hosting duties. 
 
Also, last year District 6650’s Youth Exchange Committee started STEP (Short Term Exchange Program).  This short-term exchange occurs over the summer months.  An American student is paired with a student in a foreign country and spends four weeks with that student’s family. At the conclusion of the four weeks, the foreign student returns to the United States and stays with the U.S. family for four weeks.  We had six students participate in the program last summer exchanging with the countries of Germany, Italy, France, and Mexico.  All students had a great experience.  If you know of a student who may be interested in the STEP, please have them contact Bill Wood.
 
Finally, just a reminder that our Inbound exchange students prepare a cultural fair and talent show for the District Conference.  It is always one of the highlights of the conference so if you plan on attending, please join us at both of these events.
 
Aletha Carver and Bill Wood,
Co-Chairs, District 6650 Youth Exchange Program