2016-2017 Rotary Youth Exchange Students Almost On Their Way

 

Front Row L-R: Eric Kardel (Taiwan) RC SLO de Tolosa, Kathryn Evers (Belgium) RC SLO, Mathew Sabin (So. Korea) Bakersfield East

Back Row L-R: Ronda Werner, YE Chair, Jordan Riley (Italy) RC Bakersfield Twilight, Andrew Berkovitz (Switzerland) RC Ojai West, Thalia Garcia-Young (France) RC Simi Valley, Haley Hall (Chile) RC Simi Sunrise, Anna Johnson (Germany) RC SLO de Tolosa

 

The April 23-24 Outbound Orientation was chaired by Ronda Werner. We host this event in Camarillo for all of the Southern California and So. Nevada Outbound Students. The event was attended by 108 outbound students, parents, inbound students, Rotex and RYE Committee members. The weekend orientation helps prepare the students for a safe and successful year abroad. On Saturday, each student gave an introduction in their host language. On Sunday, each outbound announced his or her goals for their exchange and received their official Rotary Youth Exchange patch and pin for their blazers. The group is very excited about their exchange year. This is the first year we have had TWO outbounds from Kern County -- Congrats! The Bakersfield East Club will be hosting a girl from Spain this coming year. Our District will be hosting at least 7 girls and 3 boys including our first-ever student from Nigeria (Santa Barbara Sunrise) as well as students from Germany (SLO de Tolosa, SLO & Simi Valley), Italy (Camarillo), Brazil (Simi Sunrise), Japan (Goleta Noontime), France (Ojai West) and Taiwan (SLO de Tolosa).