Rotary Club of Hamilton and Wenham
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)

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History of Rotary Youth Exchange
International

Since 1927, students and host families all over the world have had their horizons broadened and their lives enriched by the generosity of Rotary's Youth Exchange program. Administered by Rotary clubs, districts and multidistrict groups, the program today involves more than 82 countries and over 8,000 students each year.

The first documented exchanges date back to 1927, when the Rotary Club of Nice, France, initiated exchanges with European students. Exchanges between clubs in California, USA, and Latin American countries began in 1939, and exchange activities spread to the eastern United States in 1958. In 1972, the RI Board of Directors agreed to recommend Youth Exchange to clubs worldwide as a worthwhile international activity that promotes global peace and understanding.

Local

The HW Rotary Club voted in September 2007 to begin its sponsorship of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Rotarians Win Dodge, Tom Ackerman, and School Superintendent Marinel McGrath worked together to coordinate the program. Since that time, the HW Rotary Club has annually sponsored Long-Term Student Exchanges (Rebounds) and Short-Term Student Exchanges and has also hosted many Inbound Students. Currently, Betsy Manzelli has volunteered to serve as the Youth Exchange Office (YEO). As the YEO, she coordinates the program, assists students with the application process, and identifies host families to provide accommodations for our inbound students.

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