EDUCATIUS INTERNATIONAL - OFFERING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Prez David opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and our favorite Morro Bay Rotary song.
Our guest speaker, David Ho was introduced.
Jamie B and Carol F were asked to come forward so they could be presented with a check from Craig S in the amount of $1,200 which was our “take” of the beer sales at the Avocado/Margarita Festival. Thanks to all the Rotarians who worked at this event!!
We have several upcoming events including the Halloween Party on the 26th. Costumes required, prizes awarded and as always – food and beverages will be a-plenty. Rick G said he needs help with decorating for our Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner. And let us not forget, the Lighted Boat Parade is also coming up!!
The Rotary District Conference is being held on October 18-20 here in SLO. On the 19th we need lots of help with the cleanup at the beach. Paddle boats and kayaks are being donated to help with the efforts. Promises to be fun - hope you can be there!!!
Elsie’s fast food quiz brought in $100 in fines – Bill P thanks you!!!.
Our speaker was David Ho who is the local Coordinator for Educatius International. He lives in SLO, is getting his business degree through Cal Poly and is a volleyball coach at San Luis Obispo High School.
Educatius International allows for students from around the world to study in the USA. They currently have students in 200 schools in 20 states. San Luis Obispo County is the most recent addition to their allowable areas of study. The students come mostly from Europe, Asia and South America, are from affluent families and have very high academics.
This program provides a wonderful opportunity to expose teens, ages 14-18, from around the world to a foreign environment. They come here on F1 Visas and stay a full year. The host family is compensated for their stay - $650/month and is paid by the student’s families. Host families are carefully screened before they can accept a student. David stated that the MBHS staff has been one of the best he has ever worked with =- kudos to Dan A!!!.
The local program started in May of 2012 with 12 students and now boasts 18 students. The host families are very diverse - single, married, empty nesters, and/or retired. The kids are totally involved in school and community. There are 10 students at Morro Bay High School - 5 from Brazil, 1 from Norway, 1 from Italy and three from other countries.
David said he recently received a letter from a student from Russia who was in this program. He said he had an unforgettable experience camping, attending church, and learning responsibility. He said his host family was nice, he vastly improved his English and he hopes to return to the USA soon.