THE Ojai Rotary-West exchange program guide

The Rotary Clubs of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada (SCANEX) encourage and enable our young people to travel to other nations--and provide a way for foreign students to come here, to meet and learn about us.

As the Chairperson of our club's Youth Exchange Committee for several years, I have found it frustrating to find local homes for these students. I am taking this opportunity to let you know this program is available to children of Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians, and also to ask your help in providing housing for future exchange students.

Please spread the news that these programs exist. Post notices at churches, clubs, meetings, and schools to let young people know this resource is available to them.

Although I feel most families would benefit from the exchange student experience, if your family cannot help with a student, you might know ones who can.

A student travels to another country for about 3 weeks in the summer. The student will stay with the family of a fellow exchange student from that country. After three weeks, the student returns to their home in America, along with the foreign exchange student, who stays with the American family for three weeks.

The summer program is simple. All housing requirements are met by the families of the students.

An American high school student lives and studies in another country for approximately one year.

Sometimes the year long program gives us problems. When we send a student to another country, that country typically expects us to accept one of theirs for the same duration. Naturally, we must find housing for them.

Usually, the family of the student we are sending provides it. And often, they have friends who want to take part as well. We usually need volunteers to provide a 3-4 family exchange.

My wife and I and our children have been involved in such adventures. Twice, we provided housing for the entire year. But more typically we look for a stay of around 2-3 months with one particular family. This gives guests plenty of time to get to know a family, but also allows exposure to different families, who might be quite different in their lifestyle, beliefs, etc.

Your visitor should be treated as a family member, not an honored guest. As family, they should help with that same household chores your own children might be expected to perform. And they must adhere to the rules of the home.

Of course, if you want to take part and really broaden their experiences, feel free!

You can participate even If you no longer have children at home, so long as you are willing and able to provide a room and meals--or at least the kitchen for the student to fix some of their own meals. I remember the year Nuria (a young lady from Spain) stayed with my wife and I, neither of my children were present. That was the same year my daughter spent in Spain. Also, it is not a problem if your children are not of the same sex as the exchange student, as long as a separate bedroom is available.

I am required to make home visits to determine if the home environment would be suitable for an exchange student. I am also required to do the same for any family interested in providing housing for students, even if they are not sending a student on one of our programs.

This is an exciting and valuable program for young people. Most of the students that have stayed with my family have maintained contact with us afterward. It is interesting not only to learn about them and their countries during their stay, but also to keep in touch with them later and find out how they are doing.

Our Exchange student from France, Sally Lesbats, gave a speech before the club.

I'd like to thanks the rotary club of Ojai West and in particular Mike Caldwell and his family, Linda Taylor with whom I'll stay in a few months, Leigh Hyndman and Bill Shouse.

Most of you know that I am an exchange student from France but what is exactly an exchange student program ? It's the most amazing thing in the world. You know, when I'll have grandchildren and they'll ask me what was the most amazing thing I did in my life I'll tell them "be an exchange student in Ojai".

So much is said about being an exchange student but only when you experience it things make sense. I have been here for 6 months and I finally realize, begin to realize, that I can handle way more than I could and would ever imagine.

When you are an exchange student you need to appreciate things you have because they can be gone sooner than you think.
I only have good souvenirs here, or almost! On August 12th, when I met the guys who were going to be my family I understood nothing. I was like "Yeah,Yeah". Oh no, at first I was "Yes" but Linda, one of my host moms, told me that we don't say yes but yeah!

It's not easy to leave your country, your friends, your family when you are 16 but you are not sad for a long time. Just the two first days maybe, and the first day at school. But I just want to say that when you are an exchange student in Ojai you cry two times I think-- when you arrive and when you leave.

The best part about being an exchange student isn't about the parties or places you get to go but about the friendships. I'm not talking about the friendships you made from your host country but about the other exchange students. They are the best friends I have here because despite language and cultural differences we understand each other because we experience the same situation. We are a family now and we're so proud to be part of the rotary family. We even created a group on Facebook called "Yeah, we are rotary exchange students--that means we are better than you".

The hardest part of facing the end of my exchange year is to accept that it's going to take a while until I could see all the people I like here again : the members of the Rotary Club of Ojai West-my friends, my families ... Right now I'm staying with Leigh Hyndman and you cannot even imagine how much I love her. She is like a mom for me, when I am speaking with somebody and he asks me at what time I have to go, I'll say that my mom is coming at 8 to pick me up and not my host mom anymore. I think that when you can say that you have two moms is the world, your exchange year was a success.

I know I have at least two more years before I could see everyone again and this feeling is just horrible. It's when you wish things will never end, when you wish you could turn back time and do everything again. The time goes by so fast here and my year is getting to its end.

     Before I left France everyone told me that one year is long, but one year is short, so short. I know that I'm still a Frenchie and I perfectly know where I belong, but I'd like to stay here and go to UCLA. But, even if I don't make my life in the USA, a part of my heart will stay. My host dad likes to ask me if I like the USA and I always answered "No, I love the USA".

     Every single person I've met is unique and special and I've been made a better person just by knowing them, they've made my year unforgettable, you all have made my year unforgettable. We still have a few months and then, doesn't matter how many miles keep us apart, I'll never forget the time we spent together.

     I arrived here six months ago with two suit cases and nothing else. When I'll go back to France I'll have won two little sisters, three moms, three dads, a horse and a lot of friends. Everyone in Ojai gave me a little or sometimes a lot of himself and that's what makes me happy everyday when I wake up even if it's at 5 in the morning because I have practice at 5.45 a.m.

    An exchange student isn't expecting presents or some stuff like that, we just want to live an American life and share with people.

     So, does Rotary make dreams real ? I can only say YES. See you on Tuesday !

--Sally

This program is designed to enrich the lives of our young people and those of our guests. Inevitably, it will enrich yours as well. Sometimes that happens in unpredictable ways. In the early summer of 2002 my family traveled to Spain to attend Nuria’s wedding. We were treated as honored guests.

Sound interesting? I will need to have your application by the end of November.

If you:

Have children who might be interested
Know people who might have children interested,
Can share your home, or
Know others who might share their home,

Then please contact me.