Community Corner

Rotary Club Seeking Host Families For Incoming Exchange Student

According to Rotary Club spokesperson Greg Bauer, the young man is named Antonio and is interested in, and adept at, soccer and music.

The South St. Paul / Inver Grove Heights Rotary Club is seeking families from IGH to host an inbound exchange student from Brazil starting in August this year.

According to a statement from Rotary Club Youth Exchange Officer Greg Bauer, the student, who is named Antonio, is scheduled to arrive in August and attend  for the entire 2012-13 school year.

The Rotary Club is seeking three families for a period of four months each. "Antonio has interests in soccer and music and, from what we know, is adept at both," Bauer told Patch. 

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The Rotary Exchange Program brings students to the area for a year and also sends outbound students to other countries for the same time frame. The students stay with host families—ideally three families per year—and attend local high schools.

The Rotary Club is a volunteer organization with very strict guidelines set forth by the U.S. State Department, including background checks on all volunteers and host families. 

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"The cost of the program for a family is about what it takes to keep your son or daughter at home for the year," Bauer said. "(Host families) do receive a compensation allowance during their stay provided by the Rotary Club."

Bauer continued: "The amazing thing about being or hosting an exchange student is how it changes the lives of everyone involved ... especially the students and their families. You truly do form a lifelong relationship with someone half way around the world and it is an absolutely wonderful experience." 

Families interested in hosting Antonio during the coming year—or those with an adventurous youngster looking to visit another country for a year—are encouraged to contact Bauer at 651-451-6437 or 612-910-5970.  


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