Rotary Youth Exchange
On August 17th our regular luncheon meeting was delighted to hear from Michelle Pond and Rotary Youth Exchange student from France, Agathe! We learned the proper pronunciation of her name and found out that she actually lives in the Brittany section of France. The people in Brittany are descended from a group of people who settled in the area long ago and are not directly related to the rest of the population of the country. They speak a separate language too, although Agathe didn't give us any examples of that and greeted us in traditional French - Bonjour!
Both Agathe and Michelle participated in a short term Rotary Youth Exchange. These vary in length from just a few days to several weeks and seem to be ideal for the summer since attending school is not one of the requirements. Michelle got to travel on her own and stay with Agathe's family and then have a fabulous tour of France. She and Agathe returned on a flight into San Francisco Airport where Mike and Andrea Pond met them. They then took Agathe on a tour of that interesting and ethnically diverse city.
The girls found out that they shared many common interests and felt like sisters not long after meeting each other. They are both 16 years old and entering their junior year in high school. At our meeting they gave us a photographic presentation showing us the high spots of both the areas visited in France and here, and the things they did. Agathe said we live in a "most beautiful place."
Short term youth exchanges can consist of homestays, family to family, tours, and international youth camps. Students participating have to be above average students and have demonstrated leadership in their communities. For the exchange experience to be successful they must be willing to try new things and to embrace a foreign culture. This program is totally administered and supported by local Rotary and host families cover airfare, insurance, passports, and money for special tours, and spending money.
Both Agathe and Michelle said their time together was too short and Michelle already has plans to return to France for another visit!