Exchange Student as a HS Senior

system
Fri, 08 Dec 2006 12:55:05 +0000

I had an AMAZING experience with Rotary and I think very highly of the program. I would definitely recommend it. I know that some people here have expressed reservations about Rotary, but honestly I’ve heard horror stories (and positive stories) from kids who went with a lot of different programs and honestly, it mostly has to do with the people you end up with, as stacy said, and your attitude.

Please feel free to PM me with questions. I spent last year (my senior year) in Argentina with Rotary and I had an amazing time. I would definitely say that your daughter should finish college applications BEFORE leaving–you really don’t want to waste time on US things when you get there, and people won’t understand. Also, the first few months can be very tiring and it’s just not a good time to be stressed about getting applications in (speaking from personal experience). If you decide for whatever reason that senior year is not the right time, she can also apply as a senior and go abroad during a gap year. Check with your Rotary club to make sure they’ll allow her to apply, but most clubs do. I met a lot of kids who were doing that in Argentina and it seemed like a very good, relaxed period of time to use. They applied to college and then deferred, so they had nothing hanging over them.

If your daughter does go as a senior, she will most likely need some kind of grade report from her exchange school to send in as midterm grades etc. This can be a pain if the school is disorganized and it can also feel like a lot of pressure if you aren’t sure of your language skills. Another thing to note about kids who took a gap year is that they didn’t have to deal with this either.

I don’t mean to be negative about her going as a senior because obviously I did it and had a blast, but it’s also important to know about certain things ahead of time, like needing grade reports for applications, or that your exchange school will probably be very bad with paperwork. You just need to be on top of things, and it helps to keep in contact with the admissions office.

I just want to add that I think a high school exchange DEFINITELY gives you things a college experience won’t necessarily give you, such as complete immersion in the culture, including family life, and the ability to actually see what it’s like to be a kid in another country, which is very unique if you think about it.

Also, two things about France…first of all, it’s popular/competitive, so tell your daughter to apply early if she does want it and make sure that she meets the minimum language requirements since Rotary France is strict-ish about that. Also, I’ve heard a lot of weird stories about France from exchange students who went there, generally in terms of the schools being very strict or sudden decisions being made to send kids home. I’m not really sure what that’s about and I could be completely off-base, but I feel like there was a discussion on the unofficial Rotary exchange forum about it, and the fact that kids seem to have better luck in general in Belgium. Just some thoughts!

The unofficial Rotary exchange student community page (Cultures Shocked) is here: http://www.cultures-shocked.net/
Definitely check out the forum link. People are extremely helpful.

One thing I have to point out about Rotary is that you definitely build a network with the clubs and with other exchange students. I feel like I could travel all over the world and have a place to stay.