The Rotary Australia and New Zealand Student Exchange (RANZSE) programme brings trans-Tasman teens a transformational experience through a three month-long exchange with a family in the other country.
Often referred to as the "matched twin exchange", one student travels to the other country in late March/early April, living with their “match” and their family, attending school, and returning with their fellow exchange student 12 weeks later, in June, for a reciprocal visit ending in September.
All New Zealand Rotary districts, including 9980 – covering the lower South Island – participate in the programme, which is aimed at 14 to 16-year-old students. In the past decade, more than 1550 youngsters have travelled across “the ditch” through our exchange to experience life with another family and attend the local school for a term.
RANSZE gives teens an opportunity to be away from home and “independent” in a supervised environment, building confidence and maturity, together with developing lifelong friendships with other students and their families.
Does it cost much?
Students are matched, where possible, with teens with similar interests in the other country. The cost of the exchange is covered mainly by the participating families – typically about $NZ3700 - $NZ4800 – including air travel, passport, weekend camps, a week-long “safari”, as well as spending money.
Sponsoring Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand provide a mentor for both the outbound and inbound student, as well as supplying a student exchange uniform for the outbound student. Rotary Club sponsorship is $350 per student.
Sponsoring Rotary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand provide a mentor for both the outbound and inbound student, as well as supplying a student exchange uniform for the outbound student. Rotary Club sponsorship is $350 per student.
Long-lasting friendships
Fostering better understanding between people is one of Rotary International’s key aims.
How better can this be done than through youth exchanges, where each student has an opportunity to experience another country's way of life, the people, their outlook and beliefs?
While we might sit but a small journey away from each other, there is a growing importance for Australians and New Zealanders to understand each other better. Student exchanges are one of the best ways to help achieve this and develop lifelong friendships between students and families along the way.
To find out more, and for expressions of interest and application forms,
please email Helen McCurdy - Rotary Programmes Chair.
Visit the website
please email Helen McCurdy - Rotary Programmes Chair.
Visit the website
