DISTRICT 5100 ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM OUTBOUND PARENT INTERVIEW GUIDE
Observe how the student introduces their parent(s) to the group.
1. How do you feel about your student becoming a Rotary Exchange Student and spending a year away from home? (Get a response from all parents attending.)
2. Your student has told us they would like to go to ______________. How do you feel about their selection?
3. Do you realize the Rotary cannot guarantee a specific country or area? Would you be willing to let your student go to any country assigned?
4. Explain costs of program to parents for which they will be responsible:
- The application fee (January Outbound Orientation, Eastern OR Discovery Excursion, District Conference, Final Outbound Orientation). Parents may be expected to pay all or part of the application fee according tothe level of the club’s financial participation. The amount for this fee changes each year. See the current nomination form for the fee amount. It is on the YEAH portal in the document library.
- Passport and VISA ($100 – $500) – Insurance ($700 – $1200)
- Airline tickets ($2000 – $3500) – May need personal visit to consulate ($100 – $300)
- Emergency Fund of $500 – Optional Trips ($500 – $2000)
5. Have you heard the major rules of the program? Do you accept these rules and can your student live by these rules easily?
6. Do you expect homesickness? How do you think they will handle it? How would you handle a “homesick email or call” asking to come home?
7. Is the student a good eater? Do they like most foods?
8. Does your student have any sickness, allergies, or physical/mental problems that might recur?
9. How do you think if your student had any of the following problems, how would they handle them?
- Problems with host family
- Money
- Sickness or health problems
- Problems with school, language, classmates
10. If your student lived with a family of a different religion, would it be a problem if your student went to church with the host family?
11. Call attention to the fact that the student is expected to become part of the host family and assume chores, clean room, etc. Do they do chores willingly at home?
12. Does the student have a steady partner? Would separation be a problem?
You may wish to speak to the parents alone. Simply excuse the student and ask her/him to wait outside the room for the parents. You need to ask the parents about any and all mental, emotional or physical health issues either current or past.
