LAS VEGAS (Sept. 26, 2023) – The Las Vegas Rotary Club annually sponsors at least one foreign exchange student to attend high school in Las Vegas, in addition to living with host families in the community. This year, the Las Vegas Rotary Club is sponsoring a 16-year-old student from Chile at Centennial High School, and a girl from New Zealand will be hosted in January. The Summerlin Club is sponsoring a student from Norway.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program aims to provide young people with a unique opportunity to explore diverse cultures, develop cross-cultural understanding, make new friends, acquire problem-solving and leadership skills, learn languages and become global citizens.
One Las Vegas Rotarian who previously participated in the program as a student, Brian Riley, found its impact to be significant. He said that his life was changed following his decision to apply for the exchange program at the age of 15.
Coming from a small town in Missouri, the exchange program provided Riley with life experiences that could not occur in his hometown. Riley’s participation in the exchange program took him to Japan, exposing him to a completely unfamiliar country and culture.
“When I applied for the program, I was just a boy from a rural town who hadn’t seen anyone from Asia before,” he said.
Overcoming initial language barriers and cultural differences, Brian navigated his way through the Japanese education system, transitioning from a bewildered newcomer to an adept conversationalist.
After returning from the program, Riley pursued a major in Japanese and returned to Japan where he worked for Mitsubishi Bank, one of the most prestigious and desirable jobs in Japan.
“After that, I went to Singapore and spent seven years there,” said Riley. Paying homage to his exchange experience, Riley went on to travel and explore 125 countries and 49 states.
The Rotary’s Exchange Program urges individuals to leap into the unknown, conquer their fears and challenge themselves to explore uncharted territory. “I believe that the essence of personal growth lies in stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing the unexpected,” said Riley.
The 2023 theme for the Rotary Youth Exchange is “Passion + Dedication + Care.” The final application deadline for the 2024-25 exchange year is October 15, 2023. For more information on the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, visit the link here
ABOUT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AND THE LAS VEGAS ROTARY CLUB
Rotary International is a worldwide fellowship and service organization with 1.2 million members in 200 countries, with 32,000 clubs. Established in 1923 as part of Rotary International, the Las Vegas Rotary Club is the first and largest Rotary Club in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Rotary Club meets for lunch and fellowship every Thursday at Lawry’s The Prime Rib. To learn more about the Club and service projects, visit https://lasvegasrotary.com.
