Above
Self
CHESTERTOWN ROTARY
In the southern Adirondacks of Upstate NY
Youth Exchange Student from Finland
Laura Salonen
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE
Taken from the Rotary International website:
" Making a world of difference ...
As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you'll spend up to a year living with a few host families and attending school in a different country.
Whether you participate in Rotary's long-term or short-term Youth Exchange programs, you'll learn a new way of living, a great deal about yourself, and maybe even a new language. You'll also be an ambassador, teaching people you meet about your country, culture, and ideas. You can help bring the world closer and make some good friends in the process. " More ...
August 10th marked the return of our club to full participation in the Rotary International Youth Exchange which began in Europe 80 years ago. Over the years the exchange program has spread throughout world to include now more than 80 countries and 80,000 students. The program is designed to promote better understanding and peace between students and cultures, and the world community. In recent years, students from North Warren Central School have participated in this exchange spending a year as a student in cultural exchange in another country. Most recently Zach Smith spent a year in Brazil from August 2008-July 2009. In past years our club has received and sent students. Students with a better than average grade and are between the ages of 15 and 19 are eligible to participate. Students are hosted by families in the country in which they study. This usually includes 2 to 3 families over the course of the year. This is designed to give a student variety of experiences and so that no one family has the total responsibility for providing a home and family life for the student. Students travel to their exchange country as their family's expense. The Host Rotary Club in that country provides them with a monthly allowance for other expenses during the school year. Students attend Rotary meetings and events with other exchange students during the year. And club members share in the hosting of students through including them in family activities and travels. Families interested in being a host family are encouraged to contact David Schlansker at 251-5737. Students interested in participating may obtain an application from the school guidance office or Mr. Schlansker. A committee of the Rotary club interviews all prospective students and prospective host families who are interested in participating. Students interested in participating are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. All student applications for the 2011-12 school year need to be completed by November 10, 2010.
ABOUT OUR EXCHANGE STUDENT 2010-11
This August 10th, our club welcomed and received Laura Salonen from Finland. Laura will be the equivalent of a junior at North Warren Central School. She lives with her parents and younger sister in Raisio which is near Turku one of the largest and oldest cities in Finland. Her favorite hobby is tennis which she has played for 10 years. We are sure the North Warren Tennis team will welcome her to the team. She also enjoys music and playing guitar. Laura is fluent in English and Swedish in addition to Finnish. We look forward with great anticipation to Laura's year with us. We are thankful for her safe arrival, and hope her stay in America is everything she dreams it will be!
Pictures of Laura Salonen, our Youth Exchange Student from Finland, her family, friends, and home.
Some photos of Laura's arrival ...
