Planning for Family EmergenciesÂ
Rotary encourages the student and family to discuss family wishes in the event that there is an emergency during the year abroad – such as illness or death in the family. Please try to anticipate the student’s wishes and those of your family if you are confronted with a situation in which your early return home is a consideration.Â
We ask families not to send bad news to students by email, voice mail or on the telephone without first notifying Rotary.  We can help make certain the student is not alone when receiving bad news. We have had occasions where students have actually panicked and left the country to return home following their receipt of bad news without notifying ANYONE of their whereabouts or intentions.Â
Most often, when a student is called home for a family emergency, it is not an option to return to your host country. Any emergency that causes you to leave should be very serious.
If it becomes necessary to bring the student home due to a medical condition, or some pandemic, Rotary will have developed a set of emergency procedures and protocols to follow. Rotary may make recommendations, but the final decision to bring a student home rests with the parents.
