General News
17 April, 2023
Exchange students wanted
Rotary program back in full swing after COVID interferences
ROTARY Youth Exchange is finally back up and running after COVID-19 disrupted the program.
Rita Zappulla of Rotary Club Cairns Sunrise said the organisation was pleased that the program had been reignited.
“Applications for the Rotary Youth Exchange are now open,” she said.
“Students in years 9-12 with an interest in travelling abroad, learning a new language, and immersing themselves in a new culture and way of life are invited to apply for this opportunity..
“Rotary Youth Exchange offers both long term (12 months departing January 2024) and short term (eight-12 weeks departing December 2023) programs, for students in years 9-12, depending on the students’ eligibility.”
Ms Zappulla said the program started in 1958. She said it had helped thousands of students worldwide learn a new language, learn lifelong leadership skills and make lasting friendships with students from around the world and not just the country they were visiting.
“One of the goals of the Rotary Youth Exchange is to promote world peace and cultural understanding,” Ms Zapulla said..
“We were fortunate recently to have Celia Foret from Belgium return who had visited Cairns in 2015-2016 as an exchange student.
“She spoke at the Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise (her sponsor club) about how the experience has opened doors for her, allowed her to volunteer in Africa and now she has completed her degree in chemical and mechanical engineering she is starting work with an aeronautical company.”
Ms Zappulla said the Rotary Club of Cairns Trinity was currently hosting Inka Immonen from Finland. She arrived last year in August and has been attending high school at Peace Lutheran College.
She said information had been sent to all the high schools in Far North Queensland, from Tully to Mareeba and Mossman to let students know about the program and how to apply.
Contact Ms Zappulla on 0409 634 445 for an application form or visit www.ryea.org.au
