TRAVERSE CITY — Since the 1990s, 50 area students have served as teen ambassadors through the International Rotary Youth Exchange program at countries from Brazil to the Czech Republic.
Key criteria for program acceptance is a flexible attitude, something Brody Warren had the chance to demonstrate.
The program recently opened placement to Nepal, selecting Traverse City’s Rotary for the first Midwest exchange to the country.
“We got the luck of the draw,” said Jennifer Hricik, youth exchange officer for the Traverse Bay Sunrise Rotary Club.
Warren, a Traverse City West Senior High School sophomore, was chosen to represent the community and country at the South Asia nation situated deep within the Himalayan Mountains. But placement circumstances in Nepal caused Rotary to abandon the arrangement. Warren adjusted his exchange planning when learning he will instead head to Taiwan.
He views the change as a stroke of luck leading to a better placement fit. While initially looking forward to skiing in the mountains he now anticipates surfing off Taiwan’s coast.
Sister organizations Traverse Bay Sunrise Rotary and Rotary Club of Traverse City updated the selection process for the new crop of five students approved for overseas placement. To ensure the most rewarding exchange, rather than asking students to rank their country choices, the 20 applicants were asked to share what they hoped to gain from their experience. Qualified students are 15-19 years old and must be willing to try new things and be open to cultural differences.
“Ever since I started educating myself with the map, I wanted to experience other places. Travel- ing is so thrilling to me,” Warren said. “I want to be immersed in another culture.”
Warren is diving into research to learn about the country that will be home for 11 months. He hopes to learn Mandarin, Taiwan’s official language, to experience big city life and explore small villages. He expects the experience to provide a foundation for his goal of becoming a career commercial pilot.
“I think he’ll come back a far more well-rounded human being and have more compassion for how others live in other countries,” said Beau Warren, Brody’s father.
Hricik noted that while serving as peacemakers and fostering global understandings, students develop leadership and lifelong skills.
Traverse City Central High School senior Elly Wright was among the 2023-24 exchange students. Wright was placed at Ciudad del Carmen in the Mexican state of Campeche.
“It’s something that changes your life and opens your mind to not judging other cultures,” she said.
As a result of her experience, Wright plans to major in Spanish and international global studies.
Program students spend August to July attending school in their host country while living with two or three Rotary-approved families. Host families provide room and board. Student costs vary depending on their country placement. The clubs cap student financial responsibility to $8,000 to cover round-trip air fares, insurance, travel documents, additional travel and tour fees and spending money. Scholarships may be available.
Rotary’s exchange program also welcomes students from several nations to the area.
“We’re bringing the world to Traverse City,” Hricik said. Four international students are currently hosted by local families.
Rotary asserts that hosting a student provides an opportunity for families to be a part of global peacemaking and opportunity to build relationships. Hosts share their lives, involve students in family, community and cultural events.
Learn how to become involved in Rotary exchanges or hosting at traversecityrotary.org.