For over 75 years, students and host families have broadened their horizons through Rotary Youth Exchange. More than 80 countries and over 8,000 students each year participate in the program, which is administered at the regional level by Rotary districts and at the local level by Rotary clubs.
This program was established in our club in 2003. Houlton Rotary sends two students each year from area schools on a six to eight week foreign exchange. It is the objective of this program to advance the knowledge and world understanding of these students, as well as to foster world peace and good will at a personal level. It is our hope that young people will be able to observe first hand the problems and accomplishments of other countries by living with and meeting people of cultures and creeds other than their own. We are pleased to provide our local youth with this once in a lifetime opportunity that will further benefit their futures and lives.
Two area students have been chosen to represent our Club and our community. Autumn London is a Houlton High School student. She will be hosting a student living a few hours south of Paris, France. Farrah Clara Trari will arrive in early July and experience our community and country for about four weeks. Autumn will return with Farrah and experience life in France and Europe for the same amount of time. Autumn is the daughter of George ‘Mac’ and Jane Moody.
Rachel Harmon is a Hodgdon High School student. She will be arriving in Sicily, Italy in early July to experience their culture with her host sister and her family, Maria Maniscalco. They will return together to continue their exchange in our community and country. Rachel is the daughter of Dennis and Jennifer Harmon.
