District Interviews
Rotary Youth Exchange
San JacintoCollege South
December 6, 2008
Dear Short Term Exchange Student Applicants and Parents,
Please RSVP to this email by Monday (Dec 1), so we know you have received the information below. Also let me know if you have a preference for a morning or afternoon interview. Response options:
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Either (we are flexible)
Please be flexible and respond “either”, unless you have an important conflict that day.
Please respond to Gary Aguren at .
Items to bring with you:
a. $100 deposit, payable to District 5890 RYE (will be refunded if not
selected)
b. Prepared Speech (more discussion below)
c. Change of clothes (casual), sleeping bag, pillow, toiletries, and casual clothers for overnight Xmas party
d. Christmas present for sleepover, suitable for boys and girls, with value
of $10
e. Parents (one or both are required to attend; both is preferred. Parents are also interviewed)
Welcome:Thank you for your interest in Rotary Youth Exchange. Our district is excited in that we currently have 60+ applicants – double what we have ever had before. Our challenge now is to conduct meaningful interviews, so that you and Rotary can decide if the program is in everyone’s best interests.
Attendance:The interview will be conducted at San Jacinto College South. It is mandatory for the student and at least one of the parents to attend. Directions are attached. Half of you will be interviewed in the morning and half in the afternoon.
Students being interviewed in the morning should arrive no later than 8:45 and will be excused following lunch at approximately 12:30. Afternoon students should arrive at 11:00for lunch. A business meeting will be held for both groups during lunch. The afternoon interviews will start at 12:30 and will end at approximately 3:00. Please be on time or early. We need to stay on schedule.
Dress for Interview:You will be marketing yourself, so please be respectful of Rotary and dress with that in mind for the interviews.
Interview Process: The district interview process consists of students visiting 4 stations for interviews on various topics and giving a speech on why they wish to be an exchange student. Parents are also interviewed at one station and spend the remainder of their time listening to student speeches and visiting with other families and Rotarians.
Speech:Students will be expected to give a 3 to 5 minute speech on why you wish to be a Rotary Youth Exchange student ambassador. Important points:
a. Prepare a typed outlineof your speech to give toa Rotarian at the time of the speech. (Outline is not paragraphs to read but a set of bullets to remind you what you want to speak about next)
b. Transfer the outline to a set of note cards or bibliography cards to use in giving your speech
c. Rehearse your speech and speak from the heart. (DO NOT READ THE SPEECH).
d. Student’s organization and preparation for the speech will be a major part of the assessment process.
Results of the Interview: Our plan isto let you know by December 10 whether or not you have been accepted into the program. If you are accepted, we will work to place your student with one of our exchange districts after we have received your applications.
Country Assignment: You will be given country options at the interview. Following the Christmas party, your son or daughter will be asked to give us the top 3 preferences. One benefit of the Christmas party is that your son or daughter will understand more that there are fantastic people all over the world, and it is the people – not the country – that make the exchange program a success. Your cooperation and flexibility in this regard is vital.
Formal Applications: I am attaching to this email the formal short term application. Please submit 4 copies to Gary Aguren by December 30, 2008.. The guarantee form should have your signatures in blue ink on all 4 copies.
Address where to send applications:
Gary Aguren
8131 Bairnsdale Lane
Houston, TX 77070-3601
281-469-2956
Hosting a Long Term Exchange Student: Let us know if you would like to apply to host one of our long term exchange students for 3 or 4 months during the 2009 2010 school year. Please include the attached Host Family Recommendation Form with your short-term application to be mailed to Gary Aguren at the above address.
Christmas Party with Inbound Students: The overnight Christmas Party with the inbound students is a continuation of the assessment process for Rotary and for the applicants. You will have the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world. The party will be held at the E. A. Smith YMCA in NorthClearLake, starting at 5pm. Directions to the YMCA are also attached. Please arrange to carpool with other applicants or inbound students living in your area. Rotary will transport the afternoon interview students to the YMCA. Pickup Sunday morning at the YMCA will be at 9:00. Please be punctual.
Important Attachments:
1. Host Family Recommendation Form.
2. Short-term application for District 5890.
3. Instructions for Completing a Short-term Application.
4. Directions to the YMCA in Webster.
5. Directions to the interviews at San JacintoCollege – South.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Rotarians are eager to help. Ihope you have enjoyed your Thanksgiving holidays.
Gary Aguren
Willowbrook Rotary Club
District 5890 RYE Committee