Published: 11/11/2019 1:32:17 PM
The Meredith Rotary Club recently hosted 12 youth exchange students from Rotary District 7870, which covers much of Southern Vermont and Southern New Hampshire.
The students were from Belgium, Bolivia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Peru, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Thailand. Students in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program spend the entire school year with host families in the United States.
Three students from Inter-Lakes High School joined the group. One student spent last year in France as part of the Rotary Long Term Exchange program, one student spent a month this past summer in France as part of the Rotary Short Term exchange program, and one student is applying for the Long Term Exchange program for next year.
On Oct. 11, students met their weekend host families at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith, during a dinner sponsored by the Meredith Rotary Club.
On Oct. 12, the students began with a trip to the Squam Lake Natural Science Center. From there, the group climbed Rattlesnake Mountain. Then they attended the Sandwich Fair, compliments of the Sandwich Fair Association. After the fair, they enjoyed winding their way through the corn maze at Moulton Farm, compliments of Rotarian John Moulton. They finished the day at Funspot. Each student was provided a $20 gift certificate for Funspot, compliments of the Meredith Police Department.
On Oct. 13, the students spent much of the day at Gunstock Mountain Resort, participating in Premium Adventure activities, sponsored by the Gilford Rotary Club.
Events such as this are rewarding experiences for both the students and host families. If you are interested in becoming a long term Rotary Youth Exchange student during the 2021-22 academic school year, a short term exchange student during the summer of 2020, or hosting a student during the 2020-21 academic school year or beyond, please contact Dean Gulezian at 677-7172 for more information..