The author, far right, and her daughter with a former Rotary Youth Exchange student from Chile.
By Linda Mulhern, a member of the Rotary Club of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
When you become a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you never imagine how it might affect you in the long term. In my case, my exchange has connected my family in more ways than one.
As a Youth Exchange student to Sweden in 1979-80, I learned a lot about what I was capable of doing on my own, my strengths and weaknesses, and what it took to overcome obstacles. I had an incredible year in Sweden, and still speak Swedish fluently. I have contacts with many friends and communicate regularly with my host parents and host sisters.
After my exchange, I met my husband in ROTEX, a group for Rotary Youth Exchange alumni. He had been a Youth Exchange student to Argentina, and we bonded over travel stories. Once we had kids, I knew our experiences might inspire them to travel.
Our son has taken part in a Rotary Youth Exchange to Turkey and our daughter is currently on a Youth Exchange in Finland. She is one of three girls on a boys hockey team and …read more
Source:: Rotary International Blog
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