Local Rotary seeks exchange students, host families

The Rotary Clubs of Central Indiana are interviewing local families who are interested in hosting students from around the world as part of an international student exchange program.

They are also interviewing local young people who are interested in attending secondary school overseas for one year as part of an international student exchange program.

To qualify, a family must be able to provide a safe, non-threatening, respectful, and appropriate environment in which trust and friendship between you and the student can develop.

To qualify, a student should be between the ages of 15 and 16, in the upper-third of his or her academic class, of good character and emotionally stable, and be in good physical condition. Most importantly, he or she must be able and willing to be a good ambassador.

The student, or the student's family, is expected to pay travel and insurance costs, as well as provide some spending and emergency money. Room, board, and schooling are provided by the host family and local Rotary Clubs.

Annually, 7,000 students from more that 115 countries take part in exchanges sponsored by Rotary clubs worldwide. The clubs are also interested in finding local young people who are interested in attending secondary school overseas for one year.

The central Indiana district will begin interviews in September. Interested families or for more information, e-mail dist6560 ryechair@gmail.com